Some Fair Rides Packing a Lot of Gee! Force

Even though it’s painted in playful pastels, the Orbiter is a metal monster not to be trifled with.

Powered by an electric motor the size of a small car, the three-ton beast has a reputation among carnies as one of the Ventura County Fair’s wildest--and most stomach-turning--rides.

With its candy-colored paint, flashing lights and hokey organ music, the ride looks benign. But when it gets moving, it becomes a spidery hulk of spinning steel.

“We usually get at least two sick people a day,” said Orbiter operator Robert Ramirez. “Yesterday at about noon, three ladies all got sick at the same time.”

More often than not, Ramirez said, riders climb into their colored fiberglass seats with big smiles but leave woozy, wobbly and a little short on words.

“I didn’t like it,” said 12-year-old Alexandra Simon of Fillmore, who kept her face buried in her hands throughout the four-minute ride. “It made me feel sick.”

The Orbiter is designed to wildly exaggerate the forces of nature. The ride spins both laterally and horizontally, creating centrifugal forces so great that the skin on riders’ faces begins to sag. Exponential increases in gravity make 100-pound riders feel three times heavier.

“That was absolutely crazy,” said 13-year-old Kelly Bundt who, along with brother David and uncle Brian, pushed the envelope Thursday on ride-inspired excitement. “Let’s get back in line.”

His uncle, however, counseled rest.

“Why don’t we just sit down for a second?” he said.

There are rides for just about every kind of carnival-goer at the fair.

For those like Kelly, who crave a certain nausea-potential, there are attractions like the Orbiter, Chaos and the Zipper.

For others, who want the fun while keeping their lunch, there is the Kamikaze, which feels like the car will plow straight into the pavement in its descent, the Hurricane and the big green Hi-Miler roller coaster.

And for kids, there is everything from the ruby-red Berry-Go-Round to the Dragon roller coaster to the Big Eli junior Ferris wheel.

“I think it’s best when it’s coming down,” said 6-year-old Jessica Lister of Oxnard, eager to get on another ride with her brother, Timothy, after the pair hopped off Big Eli. “But you know, it’s also pretty nice when it’s at the top, too.”

Matthew Manff, a 6-year-old bundle of carnival-enthused energy, said the Dragon roller coaster was his favorite ride so far, although he still had many more to try.

“It was fast and then it went up and down like this,” he said making a serpentine gesture with his arm. “I didn’t get scared though, because I don’t get scared.”

Another ride that is popular with the pint-sized set of carnival connoisseurs is the 30-foot slide.

Equipped with heavy burlap sacks that provide a fast, smooth glide down the terraced slide, it’s a magnet for children, some not yet old enough to speak.

“He really didn’t look like he was having too much fun when he was coming down,” said Carol Neilson of her 2-year-old son, Colton. “But when I asked him how it was he said, ‘Fun, mommy.’ ”

Then there is the Ferris wheel, which offers spectacular views of the blue Pacific and the hills east of Ventura.

If riders get in line before 9:15 p.m., they have a chance to watch the fireworks at eye level from atop the 10-story wheel.

Costing five 60-cent tickets, the Ferris wheel is among the priciest rides at the fair.

At the other end of the economic spectrum is the carousel.

Although a small version of the ride is no longer stationed near the Children’s Dell, kids and parents can still take advantage of the full-sized merry-go-round located in the midway at the old 10-cent price.

Those cheap tickets, though, are only available at the Children’s Dell ticket booth.