Nathan Smithers, general manager of East Coast Amusements, said people have to be patient because lineups will be longer due to cleaning measures and reduced capacity. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
When Dawn Mockler was ordering her coffee at Tim Hortons in downtown Fredericton this week, she was shocked to see carnival rides being set up.
East Coast Amusements is setting up on the grounds of the Fredericton Exhibition and the midway is set to open on Thursday.
"I was just kind of horrified because of what's been happening, especially after how well we've been doing in New Brunswick," said the Fredericton mom.
"I'm just worried now, we might do something that's going to start up some more cases of COVID-19."
So she expressed herself in the best way she knew how — through cartooning.
The cartoon, which has been shared online, showcases carnival rides and children eating cotton candy made up of the COVID-19 virus.
Dawn Mockler drew this cartoon to showcase her concerns of a carnival opening in downtown Fredericton during a pandemic. (Dawn Mockler/Submitted)
"I think we're pushing our luck," said Mockler, who is also a member of the Association of Canadian Cartoonists.
Mockler said she has also had a hard time wrapping her mind around why a splash pad in Wilmot Park is closed to children just a few blocks away, but a carnival is set to open later this week.
There won’t be the usual summer exhibitions in the province this year, but a midway in Fredericton is ready to welcome visitors with limited spots, questionnaires, temperature checks and lots of sanitizer. 1:43
And she feels bad for parents who have younger kids, begging to sample some of the rides.
"Kids probably don't understand — why they are putting those up if it's dangerous?" she said. "I think we're starting things like that a little bit too soon."
'This year it's too risky'
Tanya Paige typically takes her son, now 15, to the fair in Fredericton every fall. But this year, she's avoiding the carnival at all cost.
"I'm not going to put my family at risk for some carnival that shouldn't be here in the beginning," said the mother of two.
She doesn't understand why all her children's Canada Day activities were cancelled this month, but a carnival is still going ahead in New Brunswick's capital city.
She's also worried about how the company is going to properly sanitize the rides to keep everyone safe and is hoping other parents will keep their kids from the carnival too.
"How are they going to guarantee that we're not going to get COVID from somebody that's been on the rides before our child?"
Carnival has been in the works since June
Nathan Smithers, general manager of East Coast Amusements, said the company got the go–ahead from the province at the end of June and have been planning this ever since.
"Once that announcement was made we began preparations. Preparing the plan and then doing all the normal stuff that would go into us getting ready to resume operations," he told Information Morning Fredericton.
On June 26 the province announced that all businesses could open provided they could ensure physical distancing and proper sanitization. This included the reopening of amusement centres.
Upon arrival you will have your temperature checked and will be required to answer a questionnaire.
All ride operators will be wearing masks.
Rides will be sanitized between each use. (Ed Hunter/CBC )
Wayne Knorr, communications manager for the City of Fredericton, said in an email that the city has no direct involvement with the midway and was not involved in the authorization of the operation.
He said the city has been given a copy of the operational plan to review and understands that appropriate cleaning, masking and spacing protocols are in place.
Carnival will look a lot different this year
Smithers said it's going to look a lot different than a typical day at the fair.
"I think people were just picturing that old traditional midway, where there are people packed up and lineups waiting for the rides, but it's just not going to be possible this year."
The rides will operate at lower capacity to ensure physical distancing can be maintained and single riders will no longer have the option to pair up.
Smithers said the midway has half the usual number of rides so there will be more room for people to physically distance.
There will be some carnival games, but trading up for prizes as you win more games won't be allowed.
"Once a person leaves a booth with their prize it will have to remain there. There will be no trading because it's a contact surface that can't be shared with another group of people."
There are still prizes to be won but unlike previous years you won't be able to trade your prize after it's been handed to you. (Ed Hunter/CBC )
All-day ride bracelets won't be offered because staff would need to touch other people to fasten the bracelets. They'll be using the ticket system and offering six rides for $20 dollars.
"At that point you won't be able to just ride all day like you used to."
Better to be operating than not at all
He said he thinks staff is concerned that people will be impatient about having to wait in longer lines.
"People are going to have to be patient, but I really believe we've all adapted to the new normal of waiting in line and having to be patient. Things take more time than they used to."
He said while the situation isn't ideal, it's better to be operating this way than not at all.
"The idea is to have a limited midway this year, and then by next year, hopefully things have returned to normal."
The fair runs Thursday to Sunday this week and next.
David Amos Methinks it more than appropriate to have a carnival while Higgy's circus in downtown Fat Fred City goes on and on and on N'esy Pas?
Peter Pelkey If you're worried about catching the virus, then stay home. Some of us want to get back to living life and are glad to see the carnival.
Shana Boudreau
Reply to @Peter Pelkey: that's fine. Just self isolate for 14 days after.
David Amos
Reply to @Peter Pelkey: I concur
Dave Corbin bound to set up conflict between children and their parents. Mommy i want to go to the carnival...sorry but no. Argument ensues, police called.
David Amos
Reply to @Dave Corbin: Then a circus begins when those clowns show up
Ben Haroldson Send in the clowns, they live down on the front street, somewhere to the left if you are going down regent.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: right...up...whatever.
David Amos
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: YUP
Dave Girdwood CDC and WHO say that there have been no known transmissions of Covid from surfaces. Theoretically possible, but not likely. NB has no active cases except for self-isolated travellers. Certainly none of us want a breakout, but there does come a point where the risk is so low that life needs to return to the new normal.
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Dave Girdwood: What about laughing or screaming on someone?
Dave Girdwood
Reply to @Ben Haroldson: True, we certainly wouldn't want our kids to be put in the position of laughing. It would be out of context for 2020.
David Amos
Reply to @Dave Girdwood: Methinks many a true word is said in jest N'esy Pas?
John MacKenzie "said Mockler, who is also a member of the Association of Canadian Cartoonists."
They should revoke her status based on that graphic.
David Amos
Reply to @John MacKenzie: Now thats funny
Lisa Martin " it's better to be operating this way than not at all. " Disagree ! You can chose to not go...and still be affected by a needless outbreak. Also, not fair to other business, events and entertainment that have missed this year...to keep NB safe. Let's not blow it now !
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @Lisa Martin: Gov'ts both fed and prov could provide the clowns.
Shana Boudreau
Reply to @Lisa Martin: well Said
David Amos
Reply to @Shana Boudreau: I disagree
James Smythe Here’s a novel idea if you’re among the “horrified”: don’t go.
George Smith
Reply to @James Smythe: Your novel idea "don't go" doesn't fly. If and it is an if someone does pass the virus along at the fair then everyone who meets that person and the one or more they pass it to is now out there spreading the virus. Not going is not protection. Not having it provides protection.
David Amos
Reply to @James Smythe: BINGO
Don Smith So, community fairs, exhibitions, concerts etc have been cancelled for 2020 but a for profit Amusement ride company gets approval in June to set up shop by Public Safety during a Pandemic? What were they thinking? Did Ms. Russel sign off on this? Covid 19 protocols are in place so there is no chance of anyone contacting or getting the virus? This Carney should be shut down faster than Higgs shut the Province down in March. In the interest of public safety!
James Smythe Reply to @Don Smith: It’s not an “amusement park” or “exhibition”, it’s an “anti-boredom protest”. Havent you heard that the virus can’t spread at protests? It’s super woke.
