“It was clear on parents’ faces that they were passing down the nostalgic festive magic of the long-running fair to their own kids, who ran ahead into the maze of fairground rides.”
Reporter Rachel Cronin has lived in Glasgow for six years- but had never visited the iconic Irn-Bru Carnival before(Image: Glasgow Live)
I’ve heard plenty of stories of the iconic Irn-Bru Carnival over my time in Glasgow. From nostalgia-filled anecdotes of friends’ first times on scary rides to an old flatmate’s boasting of free entry from her boyfriend’s dad who worked for Barr, it’s clear that the annual Carnival has been an absolute staple of the city’s festive culture for 106 years.
But having moved an hour down the M8 from Edinburgh to Glasgow six years ago, my colleagues at Glasgow Live were shocked I hadn’t made the trip in all my time in the city. It was decided then that I would be sent to the fair’s opening event on Friday (December 19). It runs until January 11 this year, excluding Christmas Day.
I was sceptical of the idea of a completely indoor fair- where’s the fun in seeing a black ceiling instead of swirling blue sky when spinning upside down on the Air Raid? But crossing the squinty bridge to the SEC while battling wind and sideways rain with an inside-out umbrella, I suddenly understood the unwavering requirement of an indoor space safe from the elements.
Upon entering the SEC, excited families- many of whom were dressed in their matching Christmas jumpers- wafted towards the chaotic fairground hubbub from within the hall.
The hair-raising Air Raid ride
Techno beats, flashing lights and echoing calls of ‘AREEE YOU REAADYY?’ led me into the main space, prompting a feeling of nostalgia only a long-running fair can emanate. And it was clear on parents’ faces that they were passing down the festive magic to their own kids, who ran ahead into the maze of fairground rides.
The sheer size of the fair knocks my local children’s gala back home out of the park, and with over 75 rides this year, it’s safe to say the kids can easily waste a whole day of their Christmas holiday within the four walls of this labyrinth of lights and shows. I hyped myself up for a shot on the Viva Mexico (which holds plenty of memories for me as my favourite childhood ride) and the hair-raising Air Raid, which prompted some screams of giddy delight and others of genuine terror.
Other classic rides include the Carousel, Teacups, Sizzler, Waltzers and Ghost Train. There’s a separate hall filled with kids’ inflatables for under 12s (with a height restriction of under 1.5metres), including Frozen, Minions and Disney-themed bouncy castles and slides.
The Irn-Bru Carnival offers a range of games and stalls for those who aren’t keen on rollercoasters(Image: Glasgow Live)
Those who aren’t keen for rides have plenty of stalls to choose from, including darts-based games where you can win a giant Highland Cow (which I didn’t manage), Coconut Saloon, and Jungle Blast. And fans of grabber machines are in serious luck, as they can be found dotted all over the Carnival premises.
Fair-goers may be lucky enough to spot the Irn-Bru Can Man himself as he wanders around the hall, reminding us that the event is all in tribute to the nation’s favourite fizzy drink. The orange stuff has even been turned into its own Mr Whippy flavour this year, available at the ice cream van in the hall.
The kids can enjoy a separate inflatable area for under 12s
There have been some layout changes this year, so a map could be beneficial for families looking to plan out their day at the Carnival, and organising a meeting point is a shout in case anyone wanders off.
Organisers are keen to highlight that customer feedback from last year has led to several adaptations, making the event more spacious by spreading rides and stalls further apart. Food and drink options have also increased this year, with several stalls placed around the hall. Food prices appear decent enough, with a burger meal costing £12.99 for adults or £7.99 for kids at Smash Burger’s van.
Overall, I found myself shocked that in my six years in Glasgow, I’d never come along to the Irn-Bru Carnival, despite it’s sheer enormity and its significance to the city’s festive celebrations. And it’s safe to say I’ll be back with friends before its closure on January 11.