One of the great summertime staples around Chicago is the numerous town fairs and carnivals that take place nearly every weekend. The safety (and expense) of the rides scare me, but it’s fun to throw a few dollars away on carnival games, eat funnel cakes and listen to some really good local bands.
Yesterday, we went to Great Lakes Naval Station. Besides their fireworks show, they had a huge carnival and one of my 80’s favorites, Eddie Money, was the headlining act last night. I couldn’t get the family organized and out the door in time and I missed his show. Its ok. Even “Two Tickets To Paradise” couldn’t have guaranteed a better time!
My son loves to play carnival games and my daughter loves stuffed animals. They are the perfect carnival duo. Danny got busy on a water shooting game and Sam cheered him on, but somehow a 2 year old little girl ended up winning this round.
The Game
After losing a few more times, we decided to grab some funnel cakes and stake out our territory for the fireworks. Once comfy, my son spotted yet another game that involved knocking over beer bottles with baseballs. There were gigantic stuffed animals hanging off the side of the tent.
I kept our space while the two of them went to play the game. It appeared you only had to knock the bottles over, but when they got there, they learned you actually had to break a bottle to win. Baseball has never been on my son’s “I must play” sporting list, but he must have secretly inherited his father’s pitching arm because “CRASH”, on his first pitch, he busted a bottle. (I don’t have pics because it was too dark and I was too far away for my camera. Figures. For some reason, I never get pics of the awesome stuff.)
He had a total of 5 pitches and broke THREE bottles and won three of the hugest stuffed animals I’ve ever seen for his sister. He wanted to play another round, but the carnival guy wouldn’t let him. Can you believe that? I think it’s time to sign that kid up for baseball camp.
I made them pose with the goods when we got back home.
The Goods
The day started off a bit dreary and it even rained on our parade, but the evening was da bomb! Hope all of you had a dynamite 4th of July, too!
I like that Boom, Boom, Pow!
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I am laughing at the last line under your firework photo as my little 2.5 yr old grandson sings that Black Eye Pea song all day long:)
What fun! I used to love going to all the fairs and carnivals, especially combined with the nighttime concerts. I really miss those here, I’ve even been looking online to see if we’ll be able to catch any when we visit my folks in NH next month.
PS Way to go to your son, those are some majorly impressive stuffed animals!
Robin´s last blog ..Roar, sort of
What a great time!
Daryl´s last blog ..summer stock sunday
Ooo! Ahh!
And LOVE the giant stuffies your son won for your daughter. They are a great duo!
Julia Smith´s last blog ..Summer Stock Sunday – 6
Going to the carnival, winning huge cuddly toys and finally looking at fireworks sounds just like the perfect summer day to me.
bim´s last blog ..unknown flower…
Awww… you made me all nostalgic and mushy for when my girl was little and we loved nights like this.
Thorne´s last blog ..Desert Dandy Lion
Nice colourful series of pictures! Carnivals and fireworks are such FUN!! Have a great week!
Wish my brother was like that lol! My Brother loves his computer games and so probably wouldn’t even leave the house for the carnival lol. (Love the blog
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Hannah´s last blog ..GuestSpot 3: Words, Pages and Books
There is another fair coming up in this direction later this month – my kid would love to have her cousins rock this party with her! Its the one where I got to see Rick Springfield perform for totally free about 9 years ago. He won’t be there this year – I know the heartbreak! – but they always have great bands.
KittyKrueger´s last blog ..Food as communion means I think I need new plates
Congratulations to the budding no hitter champ. Considering that those really BIG stuffed animals are often older than the people trying to win them, that was quite a feat.
Jamie´s last blog ..Happy Guessing