Nostalgia & classics
Nostalgic rides show what the funfair used to be like. Here you can find lovingly preserved classics such as horse carousels and swing boats, as well as historic rides with a long history.
Nostalgic rides: funfairs as they used to be
Long before loop-the-loop rides and drop towers existed, carousels with carved horses and painted gondolas spun around fairgrounds. Many of these rides are now over a hundred years old. Showman families and associations carefully maintain them, restoring figures, organs and paintings by hand. Some fairs even have dedicated nostalgia areas.
These classics await you at the funfair
The horse carousel is probably the best-known classic. On the so-called galloper, the horses rise and fall as the ride moves, as if they were galloping. The swing boat, on the other hand, runs entirely on muscle power: you swing yourself upwards, and on an acrobatic swing boat you can even go all the way around. Under historic rides, you can also find other rarities that travel only rarely nowadays.
Why a visit is worth it
Nostalgic rides are slower than modern thrill rides. But they offer something no high-tech ride can replace: craftsmanship, organ music and a piece of funfair history. That is why they are as popular with families as they are with photographers and fans of vintage technology. Many classics are also suitable for all ages, so grandparents, parents and children can ride together.
Nostalgia fairs and museum areas
More and more fairs are giving old classics their own areas. Historic carousels, swing boats and stalls stand close together there, often accompanied by brass band music and traditional food. Some fairs charge a small admission fee, which goes directly towards maintaining the rides. There are also museums and collections that display old funfair machinery and sometimes even put it into operation. Anyone interested in the history of the funfair will find fascinating insights there. The profiles of individual rides tell you when they were built and which showman family operates them today. This makes every visit a little journey through time, too.
Tip: Feel free to ask the operator. Many showmen are happy to tell you where their carousel comes from and how many years it has been travelling around fairgrounds.