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It’s not the biggest – or even the fastest – ride, but The Zipper has earned its bragging rights in Saskatchewan.
An hour after the Saskatoon Ex opened at Prairieland Park Tuesday afternoon, a line had already formed for the ride.
“It takes you upside down – most rides don’t take you upside down,” said 11-year-old Tyler, who’s been on the ride in previous years. “It’s a good feeling to brag about how you went on The Zipper.”
The entire ride rotates vertically while individual compartments, carrying two people each, flip and spin.
“It was kind of scary, so I was pretty shaken up … it was spinning way too much,” said 15-year-old Sydney while leaving the ride.
“It feels like free falling.”
The Zipper’s popularity can, in part, be attributed to rumours it wasn’t going to run in Saskatoon.
Kristy Rempel, the marketing manager for Prairieland Park, said the concerns arose after the ride was closed for maintenance during the Calgary Stampede.
“People get up in arms if we even hint at the fact that The Zipper might not be coming back,” Rempel told Gormley Tuesday.
“The Zipper is kind of Saskatchewan iconic.”
With people of all ages lining up for the ride, expect a wait any time of day for The Zipper.
Environment Canada is calling for highs in and around the 30 C mark in Saskatoon throughout the six days of the fair. Rempel said people are allowed to bring in their own sealed water bottles to the Ex.
“We (also) have misters all through the park, so you walk by and it kind of gives you that little blast of coolness.”
There are 47 rides this year at the Saskatoon Ex, which runs until midnight Sunday.
–With files from 650 CKOM’s Daniella Ponticelli.
