Dragon rides to bungee jumps: Spring Fling rides have it all

UA’s annual Spring Fling carnival has been one of Tucson’s most beloved attractions and it will be operating for the 43rd time this weekend. Known for being the largest student-run carnival in the nation, Wildcats have a variety of options to experience the long-running spring festival.

The carnival will have over 40 rides and 20 food booths that are organized by students in different clubs and organizations.

Some of the school organizations involved include the African Students’ Association, Arizona Model United Nations, Sophos Sophomore Honorary and many more. Many student organizations will offer a variety of foods like carne asada tacos, funnel cake, fried Oreos and other meals served at booths scattered across the UA Mall.

According to Josler Tudisco, the marketing director for Spring Fling 2017 and a junior majoring in political science and psychology, between 35,000 to 40,000 people from the UA and Tucson area visit the yearly attraction.

Tudisco said he is a Tucson local and has been going to the carnival since he was a child.

“First, I volunteered as a freshman and sophomore, and now as a senior, I help market Spring Fling,” he said.

The weekend fair has had a variety of rides since its original opening. To assemble and test the rides, Spring Fling workers and coordinators typically begin on the Monday before the weekend event and continue to work through Thursday for opening night at 4 p.m. on Friday, according to Tudisco.

Tudisco said the amount of rides in the carnival has increased since moving the event’s location to the UA Mall four years ago.

Tudisco said Spring Fling has safety regulations for all of the rides.

“All the rides have seat beats and are up to standard for anyone to use,” Tudisco said.

Tudisco said the carnival tries to keep a balance of rides for younger and older audiences alike. The fair will have about an even amount of children to adult rides, for any age to enjoy the fair.

Tudisco said the most kid-friendly rides are the slides and the Dizzy Dragons ride.

“My cousin brought her kids last year, and they absolutely loved the dragons ride,” he said.

The Dizzy Dragons ride has dragon features that spin around, similar to Disneyland’s Mad Tea Party spinning tea cup ride.

“Some of my best memories from Spring Fling as a kid was going with all my friends in high school,” Tudisco said. “We’d usually carpool with a mom, and I even had one of my first dates at Spring Fling, too.”

Spring Fling can be a great event this weekend to have fun and possibly meet new friends at the UA.

Tudisco said his favorite part about being a marketing director for Spring Fling is seeing the different ways the event brings people together.

“It’s such a big event that involves families, friends, neighbors, and really for me, seeing the whole fair come together through the press and on campus is really nice,” he said.

Students have different opinions on the rides available at Spring Fling this year.

Tudisco said the “mega drop” ride is his favorite ride because of the way his stomach drops.

Milca Altamirano, a freshman majoring in Spanish, said she is thinking of trying out the carnival’s bungee jump ride this year.

Karly Greno, a junior majoring in urban and regional development, said the Ferris Wheel was a ride she always enjoyed as a kid.

“The Ferris Wheel at Spring Fling looks pretty big, and it’s definitely one I would try out,” she said.

Kayla Osberg, a sophomore majoring in nutritional science, said Spring Fling has been one of her favorite memories from her freshman year at the UA. She said her favorite ride was the “G Force because it spins really fast.”

The Spring Fling carnival will be held on the Mall Friday, April 7, through Sunday, April 9. The carnival wil be open Friday from 4-11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information about Spring Fling and their venues, visit http://springfling.arizona.edu.

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