This week promises to be filled with squeals of delight, excitement, and anticipation. In case you haven’t figured out through recent articles I’ve written, I am a kid trapped in an adult body. This is made ever so clear when fair week rolls around. I can already taste the cotton candy, candy apples, elephant ears, chip truck, snow cones, corn dogs, pizza . . . well you get the picture. Besides my love affair with the delicious treats and snacks at the fair I also go crazy for the rides. I was absolutely terrified to even go on a ferris wheel until the age of 18 when I was forced to become “Danger Girl” for the radio station I worked for. People literally won the prize of going to the fair with me and as the bumper cars were the only ride I was willing to go on at the time I needed to brave up and brave up fast if I was to be any sort of “prize.”

What resulted was a conquering of my fear and discovery of the enjoyment I had been missing. Since then I have loved going to the fair and on every ride except the ferris wheel (I never did overcome that fear). So I will be abstaining from the Century Wheel which is making its way to the midway this year. I do, however, plan on going on the Scooter, Scorpion, Mega Drop, the old favourite Zipper, Starship, and the latest and greatest new ride, the Skater. I realize that my late “bloom” in fair-loving life makes it a bit difficult to find people my age to go on the rides with but luckily I have found a cure for this: Take a kid with you. My best friend and I are taking her kids so I imagine that I will also get to experience some of the attractions that kiddieland has to offer such as: Toon Town, Kite Flyers, and the Lollipop Swing (OK, now I’m hungry again).

Along with the excellent midway rides and fair food the Summer Fair also offers an array of entertainment. Doodles the Clown will be returning with his unbelievable act. New this year and perhaps encouraging us to have beautiful weather for the week of the fair, are the rulers of the pool — Flying Fools High Dive Act. As described by the fair web site they are a high performance show which consists of a great combination of family comedy and astounding acrobatic dives. They dive from heights as tall as 25 metres into a pool that is only eight metres in diameter and three metres deep. These guys will be splashing audiences with their magnificent show three times daily if the weather cooperates.

A bit of Las Vegas is making its way to Brandon with performer Terry Stokes, who is one of the foremost hypnotists in North America. Since they are bringing in Vegas they may as well add some more spectacular danger to the mix with Living Dragons, Giant Lizards of the World. If you are a fan of the creepy crawly or perhaps a bit of a dinosaur nut you will love this exhibit.

Although I love lizards and dinosaurs I have to admit the entertainment I am most looking forward to is the Battle of the Bands. This is the chance to combine three of my favourite things — food, rides, and great music. Faders Music & Recording has joined forces with the fair to host the ultimate battle of the bands. This is a chance for local artists to get exposure, win prizes, and cold hard cash. The bands will be competing Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night with the winners from each night competing for the grand prize on Saturday. The bands will be judged on musicianship, creativity, originality, stage presence, and most importantly to us, audience interaction. This means we have to get out there and support our favourites to the finish line.

The countdown is on and now the only decision I have left to make is which night to go? There is something for all ages at the Manitoba Summer Fair and a new feature attraction every night so get out and enjoy the fun.

Grounds open at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 2 p.m. on Friday, and 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday.