The Nebraska State Fair is flying high, thanks to
that new sky tram.
They battled the elements and a minor electrical
issue this weekend, but passengers say it's a smooth ride.
Just sit down, like a ski lift, hands and feet inside
the ride.
Those were the instructions given to this reporter, as the ride finally went into operation.
Just like that, the sky tram gently soars skyward. High above the
Nebraska State Fair, 40 feet up on the Sky Tram, riders get a view of the entire fairgrounds.
I did not get to be
rider number one, but was third back. And as the shirts being sold on the grounds say, it's "tramtastic."
The fair's
director enjoyed his first, and maybe last ride.
Joseph McDermott said, "I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of
rides and not real enthusiastic about getting up in the air, but I felt
I had to and it was a fun ride, about 6-7 minute ride, got a great view
of the fair and talk to a lot of people on the way. Good experience and
I'm glad I did it."
McDermott had hopes the sky
tram would bring the wow factor, and it seems to be working.
"We're going to ride the tram together," Kathy Kwiatkowski said gleefully.
She brought relatives from
Omaha who'd never been to the fair.
"We came to take in everything --
petting zoo, 4-H building, we're excited. They've never been to a state
fair and are excited to be here and we're excited to be with them," she said.
And to think, the sky tram almost didn't happen
after a truck hauling parts was in a wreck. But thanks to guys like T.J. Letscher, the fair's flying high.
"Definitely been an experience. I'd do
it again all over. Love it," he said.
The Sky Tram operates daily at the fair for a fee of $3 one way.
