Link: Tinker Toy Carnival offers trip down memory midway
A nostalgic exhibit at the Goodhue County Fair exists because of Kevin Kuhlman's fascination with carnivals. On a table top surrounded by Plexiglas, Kuhlman assembled a midway of his own. A scaled-down Ferris wheel is a focal point and is surrounded by smaller amusement rides typical of carnivals in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a "romantic period" in carnival history, according to Kuhlman. There is the Paratrooper and the Bullet, the Matterhorn and the Himalaya -- 24 rides in all -- along with six side shows including Dinoland and the Wild West Show. Each is made with pieces from Tinker Toy construction sets, one of Kuhlman's favorite toys as a child. He's also used construction paper, foam, string and straws in the display. "It's probably never going to be done but it's pretty dang close," said Kuhlman, 48, of Maple Grove, Minn. Kuhlman's Tinker Toy Carnival has been on display at eight county fairs in Minnesota since last summer. "I think my most enthusiastic fans are carnival workers," Kuhlman said.
