Millions of Americans enjoys county fairs every year
休閑:Winning Big Fun at County Fairs (音頻) ZT
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/article/1735247.html
Welcome to American Mosaic from VOA Learning English!
I’m June Simms.
On the show today, we play music from a first album by country group Florida Georgia Line.
We also visit Money Island, New Jersey, a coastal community still recovering from a powerful ocean storm last year.
But first, we go to a fair!
1. County Fairs
Every year, county fairs take place across the United States. Visitors can see farm animals, find lots to eat and buy goods from artists and craftsmen. But some people go to fairs for the rides and games.
Christopher Cruise tells about the fun at one such event in Costa Mesa, California.
The people who work at the Orange County Fair operate the rides and games. But what really fuels the action are the fairgoers with clear goals. Like 11-year-old Cory Richards who won a huge toy animal by playing a game.
“I had the goal to get this guy, and I did it. So, now, it’s just win as many stuffed animals as I can.”
In one game, players throw baseballs. They attempt to hit and break empty glass bottles. In another, throwing a basketball or two through a basketball net can win a prize.
Cory Richards believes that the bigger the toy, the better.
“I played the basketball game. It was between this one or the round piggy. But this one was bigger so it made me feel more accomplished.”
The boy admits that winning at these games involves a little skill and a lot of luck.
Another visitor to the Orange County Fair, Kee An, says she may not have a good chance of winning. But that does not stop her from taking part.
“I’m always a sucker to these games. I always lose my money but that’s the thrill of it.”
Hear those screams? They were from a nearby ride. Meagan Tse was one of the riders. But she was brave.
“No it wasn’t scary. It was awesome.”
Many parents welcome the sight of their children having so much fun. Many capture the joyful faces in video recordings or photographs.
In one game, players try to roll balls into holes to make toy horses move forward along a track. Lanz Nicodemus gets his horse across the finish line first.
“This is one of my favorite games. I keep on winning.”
But what about those visitors who leave the county fair without a prize? Better luck next year, when the fair returns.
2. Money Island Needs Money and Sand
Last year, a powerful storm severely damaged coastal towns in New Jersey. The state is spending millions of dollars to rebuild the areas. But people in some poor communities are being urged to leave their homes and move away from the coast. Money Island is among these places.