The most colorful ride at the Fair

If I ever hit the lottery, I'm going to write books about state fairs. I'm going to write about the (apparently vanishing) art of airbrushed rides and fun houses, and look into the sociological aspects of the prizes on the midway. And I'm going to write about rides.

A few years ago I mentioned a brightly-colored train ride which got my vote for most gorgeous ride at the Fair -- and I meant gorgeous in its dictionary sense: "splendidly or showily brilliant or magnificent." (Thank you Merriam-Webster.) This year that award goes to Hog Wild, a kiddie ride down on the old midway.

Hog Wild consists of about a half-dozen motorcycle-type cars, each beautifully painted. (I especially liked the Spider-Man one.) It's bright enough in the daytime, but under the white lights of a midway evening, it's fantastic.

It's not particularly busy, either -- I'm not sure how many people realize that there are rides for kids in other places than the area near the Kerr Scott building. Walk down the hill past the Expo Center and you'll find some rides for little kids (and games, too) without many lines.

A big thanks to ride operator Darlisha Loftin, who let me step into the ride area to get my pictures (and moved the cars around so they were under the Hog Wild sign.) Appreciate it, Darlisha!