If you ask the people of Beijing, where they had most fun this summer, chances are, many will answer, at the World Carnival. The mobile amusement park has already wrapped up its 52-day stay in the Chinese capital, with all the thrills, laughter, and fun of the fair. But organizers of the event say the profits were not as good as they expected.
"Carnival" in Spanish means "goodbye to meat". A traditional Roman Catholic celebration, carnival signals a time for parades, feasting, masquerades, merriment and general revelry. Yet a world away from most Roman Catholic countries, World Carnival Incorporated has been bringing all the fun of the fair to China.
Here are some comments:
"It's real fun."
"This game is really thrilling. Girls are braver than most boys."
"I feel really happy. Too bad it's impossible to go on all the rides. "
For nearly two months, 50 rides were on offer, ranging from the world's largest mobile ferries wheel to some of Europe's most exciting rides. But these big and goofy toys were undoubtedly the stars. They're also what are bringing organizers most profit. Prices range from 10 to 150 Yuan or about 1 to 17 dollars. It costs 25 Yuan to play, and only one in four gets to win. But organizers had hoped to make more.
Carnival Organizer said, "Of course we have made money, but not as much as we hoped for. It's not that the people of Beijing are not enthusiastic. The weather during our stay was really bad."
The wet summer in Beijing was a real headache. Organizers estimate it rained during half the time the Carnival was on in the Chinese capital. However, that didn't stop over 40,000 people visiting every day, with net income topping 20 million dollars. Organizers have already signed a five-year contract with the Beijing International Sculpture Park and will return to the same venue every year up till the 2008 Olympic Games.
(CCTV.com August 23, 2004)
