I am really drawn to cheesy local festivals and carnival rides.The slightly bored carnies, the clusters of giggling teens, the wafting smell of cotton candy and funnel cakes, and the sound of the Cheap Trick cover band in the beer tent...

Besides the thrill of the ride itself, there is something about the thought "gee, I hope they put it together right" while flying through the air at great speed that gets the heart pumping. This photo captures that for me.

(Shot at Verona Hometown U.S.A. Fest, 1999.)