| Collision Course
Blue and yellow sparks illuminated the ceiling over the bumper car pen at the Reese & Community volunteer fire company carnival Monday night.
Every 20 seconds or so the lights would dim as the group of a dozen vehicles got jammed, and everyone pushed the pedal to try to get out of the mess.
Ella Chick, 4, had wanted to drive the bumper cars herself, but since she was shorter than the required 54 inches, her mother, Michelle McGee, took the steering wheel.
"Hi-yah!" McGee said while smacking her car into an oncoming driver, her face lit up.
"I just got my son from karate," the Westminster woman said, explaining the uncommon exclamation.
Isaac Adams, 8, of Taneytown carefully chose his green and white car for the round β the colors of Ireland, he said, one of his favorite countries.
Isaac's face radiated with excitement, sticking his tongue out to the left while steering left to get out of a jam. His ride partner, Cristy Lemon, looked less enthused.
"I was getting banged everywhere," Lemon said, and a little harder than she expected.
Isaac said he dished out some bangs himself.
"I hit everybody there," he said with confidence.
Bob Isennock stood on the side of the pen and watched his daughter, Katelyn Isennock, 9, and niece, Sarah Short, 11, take part in the action.
"They're a little slower than I remember them," Isennock said, comparing the scene in front of him with memories of his own bumper car glory days.
The tracks used to be bigger too, he said, and everyone had to drive in the same direction like in a race track. But the chaotic atmosphere at the Reese Carnival pen didn't seem to stop any of the drivers from having a good time.
"You can go and hit people and no one really gets hurt," Sarah said.
IF YOU GO
Name: Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company Carnival
When: Tonight through Saturday
Where: 1745 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster
ENTERTAINMENT
Tonight: Country music by Borderline, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Karaoke Contest, 7 p.m. Must be 16 or older to enter, entry fee is $20 and non-refundable. Sign-ups begin at 5 p.m. at the bandstand. Limited to the first 25 people to sign up.
Thursday: '50s and '60s music by The Shades, 7:30 p.m.
Friday: Country music by Dean Crawford and the Dunn River Band, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: Country music by Jennifer Rose and The Mixx, 7:30 p.m.
Reach staff writer Carrie Ann Knauer at 410-857-7874 or carrie.knauer@carrollcountytimes.com. |
