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Teenagers love the midway at the New York State Fair. They come to socialize and to see the bizarre shows. But the big draw is the rides.

There are 70 rides, and they're not cheap, according to George Weston, midway manager for Strates Shows. The least expensive one cost about $800,000, he said. The most expensive, Top Spin, cost $2.9 million. The most popular rides, he said, are KMG Fire Ball, Top Spin, Zyklon (a roller coaster) the Giant Ferris Wheeland Himalaya.

Which rides are best for thrill seekers? Which are best for screamers? We asked Central New York teenagers to weigh in.

Click the following rides for their reviews:
Enterprise
Himalaya
KMG Fire Ball (two reviews)
Top Spin (three reviews)
Wave Swing
Zipper

Here's more on teens and the state fair:
• Teens love the midway, by Brendan Pitts, a Baldwinsville senior
• Meet, or join the young writers contributing to The Post-Standard and Syracuse.com this year
• A video of the midway by staff videographer Peter Chen
• How much do the rides cost? Read on.

Continue reading "Teens rate the rides at the New York State Fair" »

THE RIDE: KMG FIRE BALL THE LOOK: a giant suspended claw covered in multi-colored lights.

THE STORY: Ever since I worked up the guts to go on this ride, I make sure that I ride it every year I'm at the fair. The feeling of being suspended high in the air is an adrenaline rush. The ride is a giant claw that spins while sliding back and forth like the Pirate Ship ride.

I went on it with my best friend and she was definitely hesitant at first. I had to convince her that we would not die. But when we were on the ride, with the wind whipping our faces and making our mouths dry, I forgot about her fears. What a great friend I am, right? The feeling of flying and feeling weightless was more enchanting than worrying about her concern for death. Our conversations were strained for a while after we got off the ride, but I don't regret one second of it. It lets you feel free and it's really exciting. And hey, it's an awesome way to cool down.

MY RATING: 5 stars out of 5.

-- Joe Desiderio, a senior at East Syracuse-Minoa High School

Read on for another review of KMG Fire Ball

Continue reading "Teens review a state fair ride: KMG Fire Ball" »

THE RIDE: ZIPPER

THE LOOK: Some people refer to it as the salt and pepper shaker. An elliptical, rotating frame holds cages, each of which holds two riders. The cages spin upside down as the frame moves.

THE STORY: This ride is for high-thrill seekers only. If you are afraid of heights or get sick on upside down rides, the Zipper is not for you.

Since the Zipper is loaded like a Ferris wheel, there is a lot of time sitting, looking at the parts, thinking, "I'm locked in a cage and only a few pieces of metal are keeping me from heading to my death." I personally am not a big fan of that feeling.

Other than that, once the ride gets going, it's great. I like to think that it's as close to being a gymnast as I will ever get. Feeling the G-forces while plummeting towards the ground is phenomenal.

MY RATING: 4 stars out of 5.

-- Kate Wawro, a sophomore at Westhill High School

THE RIDE: TOP SPIN

THE LOOK: One large cylinder with two rows of seats.

THE STORY:The loud music and flashing strobe lights could be heard and seen from across the midway. As the ride powered up, the hydraulic lift raised the ride high above the midway, creating a perfect view of the entire fairgrounds. Before I could take a breath, the ride dropped and swung like a pendulum, quickly getting enough momentum to spin us 360 degrees, bringing us upside down several times. After the first couple of swings, I could feel the fried dough from The Villa in my stomach.

When the ride came to a temporary stop, the operator asked if anyone wanted more, and of course the crowd cheered for more. It was time for the girls to scream one more time and listen to the music as you whirled past the loud speakers. The loud music continued as the ride finally came to a stop. More kids and teens boarded the ride as their parents and scared friends watched.

MY RATING: 5 stars out of 5.

-- Rob Glass, a senior at Cazenovia High School

Read on for two more reviews of Top Spin

Continue reading "Teens review a state fair ride: Top Spin" »

Solvay Middle School is getting ready to launch a new anti-bullying program in September.

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program aims to "reduce and prevent bullying problems among schoolchildren and to improve peer relations at school," according to its Web site.

The program was developed in Norway and is used in more than a dozen countries worldwide. The main component of the program will be small group meetings twice a month with an adult. These classroom meetings will allow pupils to talk about issues in a safe way, said Joseph Judge, assistant principal at Solvay Middle School.

"We have always addressed bullying behavior in our school and will continue to enforce our code of conduct. In any school, there is always room for improvement," Judge said.

Continue reading "Solvay Middle School to begin anti-bullying program" »

First United Methodist Church in Baldwinsville presents "First Fest" at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 7 in the church's fellowship hall at 17 W. Genesee St.

The event will give visitors and members alike a first-hand look at the many ministries of the church. It will also provide the opportunity for children and adults to sign up for Sunday School classes, which begin Sept. 14.

There will be appetizers and snacks at each group's booth, followed by a hot dog lunch at 11:30 a.m. Everything is free, and the public is invited.

The church's regular schedule resumes Sept. 14 with worship at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary, a contemporary worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel, and fellowship at 10 a.m. Classes for children of all ages, and adults, follow the 9 a.m. service.

For additional information, call Jeff Hodge at 635-6442.

Camillus, NY -- An Elbridge woman was airlifted to University Hospital after she stopped breathing during a crash this afternoon, Camillus Police said.

Joann Duger, 61, fell asleep at the wheel and her minivan went off Canal Road into a ditch, hitting an embankment near a driveway, police said. She suffered a fractured knee and a concussion in the 4:30 p.m. crash. She was in stable condition late tonight.

Her father, Bion Carpenter, 86, was in the passenger seat. He was taken by ambulance to University Hospital with a fractured right shoulder.

Both are expected to survive.

Reporter Hart Seely of The Post-Standard gets to the meat of the matter with an investigative report on the new Hot Beef Sundae at the 'Shake It Up' food stand in the Dairy Products Building at the 2008 New York State Fair. Video by Steven J. Pallone (4:10)