Smooth Start for Fair Despite Earlier Bumps

Laughing as they speed-walked across a dusty lot, the four 12-year-old girls knew right where they were going--to the ride with the medieval torture theme.

Their rationale was simple. “It’s still early,” Cheyenne Faitro explained. “So this one won’t be too crowded.”

This, after all, was Simi Valley Days opening night 1997. At the sage age of 12, these girls in their ‘70s duds and frosty blue eye shadow have been attending the community festival for years.

They know what’s what.

With a quick check of their hair, the four scooted into black metal carts at the Chamber of Terror. The ride lurched forward and the shrieks began.

“It’s a tradition to come here,” Katy McMaster said as the foursome left the ride. “We go on all the rides . . . and see people we haven’t seen for a long time.”

They also attended the event to maybe--just maybe--flirt a little.

But they don’t have much time to spare, so they are off to the Yo-Yo.

As the annual carnival opened Wednesday night, you would never know that this has been Simi Valley Days’ roughest year to date.

Earlier this summer, organizers lost their spacious site and had to scramble for a new locale--settling on a six-acre lot at the intersection of Tapo and Eileen streets. Even though the annual rodeo was lost in the process, Simi Valley Days seemed no poorer for the loss.

The country-themed event was still crowded with toddlers and parents in search of the perfect kiddie ride and teens ready to hear the Battle of the Bands and socialize.

The smell of grilling burgers and elephant ears filled the air. And, with the exception of a few ticket vendors who forgot to open their booths on time, almost everyone else was ready for the crowds.

While Simi Valley Days attendance numbers won’t be known until late Sunday, when the Klieg light is shut off and the carnival rides sit empty, turnout appeared strong the first two days.

“It’s probably about the smoothest start we’ve ever had,” said Wes Miller, Simi Valley Days carnival chairman. “In past years, we’ve had to worry about getting everything up and running in time. Not this year.”

The Simi Valley Days carnival runs through Sunday night. Still to come:

* Tonight: Tapo Street Hoedown at 8 p.m.

* Saturday: Parade at 9 a.m. and KowChip Bingo at 1.

* Sunday, : 5K and 10K runs, 6 a.m. and Ugly Dog Contest at 1:30 p.m.