The warm weather brings more hours of sunlight, flip flops, BBQs, and carnivals! Our Lady of the Valley carnival was one of the first to take place, and many others will follow throughout this summer. If you missed Our Lady of the Valley event, don’t fret–here is a list of a few local carnivals that you can attend this summer:
- Wayne PAL 2025 Carnival from Wednesday, June 17th – Sunday, June 22nd at the Mothers Park & Ride lot on Route 23
- L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival is Coming to Garden State Plaza from 5/22/25-6/8/25
- Passaic County Fair 2025 from August 14th to 17th at Garret Mountain Reservation in Woodland Park, NJ
Below is a summary of the most popular rides found at any carnival. Maybe your favorite made the list, but maybe this will get you to find a new ride to try this summer. Enjoy the fun and the sunshine! 🙂
The Zipper
The Zipper is a high-intensity thrill ride known for its rapid flips, vertical rotations, and unpredictable movements. Riders are enclosed in individual cages that spin while attached to a rotating boom. It is considered one of the more extreme rides at the carnival and is best suited for those seeking an intense thrill!
The Rock Star
The Rock Star is a ride that swings back and forth until you are vertical, ultimately traveling in a circular motion. It goes fairly high up but is worth it for the view from the top. This ride swings higher and higher, eventually reaching a vertical angle that leaves you momentarily weightless at the top before dropping you back down.
The Sizzler
If you love fast spins and feeling like you’re getting whipped around, the Sizzler is the ride for you! This ride is a classic carnival ride that starts slow, then picks up speed until you are sliding back and forth in your seat, laughing the whole time. It is not the most extreme ride at the carnival, but it is a must-try for anyone who loves fast rides!
Polar Express
With blaring music, colorful lights, and fast turns, this ride feels like a party on rails! Polar Express is perfect for people who want a fast-paced ride while avoiding their fear of heights. The cars tilt and spin, pushing you into your seat with each sharp turn. It feels like your body is being flung outward, and the unexpected direction changes keep your adrenaline spiked the whole time. It is especially fun with a partner!
The Starship Gravitron
The Starship Gravitron is an enclosed ride that creates the sensation of weightlessness. As the ride spins rapidly, passengers are pressed firmly against the walls of the interior chamber, and the platform they are standing against flies upward. The smooth, fast rotation produces a unique and memorable experience without the use of drops or swings. The Starship Gravitron remains a nostalgic favorite for many visitors!
The Orbiter
The Orbiter delivers a sensation of flying and rapid motion. Multiple arms extend from a central hub, each supporting several rotating seats in pairs of two. As the ride gains speed, the arms lift and tilt, causing the seats to spin at elevated angles. The combination of motion and elevation provides an exhilarating ride that is both smooth and intense.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a high-altitude swing ride that lifts riders into the air and spins them in wide circles. With seats suspended by chains, riders experience a strong sense of freedom and flight as they rotate high above the ground. The combination of speed, height, and panoramic views creates a ride that is both thrilling and scenic, appealing to a wide range of guests. The views from this seat are breathtaking–you can see the entire carnival and the nearby neighborhoods.
The Gondola Wheel
The Gondola Wheel, often referred to as a Ferris wheel, offers a calm and scenic ride experience. Passengers are seated in gently rocking gondolas that provide panoramic views of the surrounding area as the wheel rotates slowly. Ideal for all ages, the ride offers a relaxing contrast to faster attractions and is perfect for enjoying the atmosphere of the event or fair. This ride is also perfect after enjoying some carnival food!
