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Presented this year by the Cumberland Valley Show, the carnival sets an energetic atmosphere at the fairgrounds’ 50th year. The midway brings a week of fun to children and adults of all ages.

Fair-goers can take a head-spinning ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl or an adrenaline-rushing slide down the Super Slide. But on Thursday, people were lining up for one particular attraction — the water ball.

In the water ball ride, children climb into an air-filled plastic balls then scamper across the surface of a pool.

This is the first year the Cumberland Valley Show has featured the water ball, and it has already become a crowd favorite. One by one, children lined up to the water-filled pool and waited anxiously for their five-minute adventure in what some call the “hamster ball.”

Lawrence County native Les Tipton said he has been attending the 4-H Fair for many years and decided to bring his grandchildren out for a night of fun. It was the third consecutive year they had visited the midway.

Tipton said his grandchildren were immediately attracted to the water ball, which was new to them.

“They love water,” he said. “It caught their eye the first thing.”

Seven-year-old Haven Tipton was excited about trying the water ball but did not know what to expect before she got in.

“I like water, and it looked fun,” she said. “I fell down every time I tried to move, (but) it was fun.”

Before his turn in the water ball, 6-year-old Mason Tipton was excited about hopping in.

“I want to roll around and look like I’m getting wet,” he said.

After his turn in the water ball, Mason offered a little advice to future participants.

“You have to step on the side that’s not wet, then you can move,” he said. “I want to do it again right now!”

Donyelle Davis is completing an internship with the Hoosier Times newspapers this summer.