Funtastic Shows Carnival returns with rides, treats and lighter crowds

EAST WENATCHEE — Tucked into the north end of the Valley Mall parking lot, the Funtastic Shows Carnival offered a quieter corner of Apple Blossom this year, with rides, games and familiar midway treats running throughout the week.

Set up near Sportsman's Warehouse, the carnival brought a smaller footprint than in years past, but still delivered the basics, spinning rides, bright lights after dusk and a lineup of food stands serving corn dogs, funnel cakes and deep-fried favorites.

For families with younger kids, the space offered a more manageable pace compared to the larger crowds at Memorial Park. Parents lingered near the rides while children cycled through the smaller attractions, and groups moved easily between games without the congestion typical of other festival hubs.

Attendance remained modest, with open stretches between ride clusters and shorter lines at food and ticket stands. Still, the carnival maintained its role as a steady, low-key option within the broader Apple Blossom schedule.

As evening settled in, the glow of ride lights and the hum of music carried across the lot, offering a familiar, if quieter, take on a long-running festival tradition.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media