Tilt-A-Whirl Celebrates 100 Years of Spins and Giggles at Minnesota State Fair
The Tilt-A-Whirl marks its centennial at the Minnesota State Fair, delighting riders with its timeless spin and dip.
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — A century after its debut, the Tilt-A-Whirl continues to draw screams, giggles, and white-knuckle grips at the Minnesota State Fair. The ride, with its brightly colored cars, first appeared here in 1926 and has since become a staple at fairs nationwide.
For many fairgoers, the ride is a cherished tradition. Valerie Nelson, a Minnesota native visiting the fair, recalled riding it as a child in the 1970s. "It's my favorite ride forever and ever," she said. "Whenever I see it, I try to get on. I love the spin when it pushes you back into the chair." Her friend Sherri Gray, from Stillwater, added, "It's the only ride I'll go on."
Seven-year-old Samuel Mishek of Minneapolis rode the Tilt-A-Whirl twice in a row, enjoying the thrill of solo spins. "I like when there's little bumps because you can get ready and you know when it's going to turn really fast," he said.
The ride's origins trace back to inventor Herbert Sellner of Faribault, Minnesota. After a failed water ride project was destroyed in a storm, his brother Martin suggested a land-based version. Jenna Nelson, curator at the Rice County Historical Society, credits the ride's longevity to its sturdy design. "It really has stood the test of time in terms of how they machined it," she said, noting that only about 1,000 cars were ever sold and the equipment remains largely unchanged.
Ride operator Thomas Lauthier, who has run the Tilt-A-Whirl at the fair for 12 years, explained that seven individual motors power the circular platform, while gravity and rider weight cause the cars to spin unpredictably. He noted that Midwesterners have a particular fondness for the ride.
For many, the Tilt-A-Whirl is a family affair. Mike Pream-Anderson of Minneapolis said, "As long as I can remember, when I was young my parents and my grandparents took me to the fair, we rode the Tilt-A-Whirl every time. We love to bring our kids and do the same thing. It's definitely a family tradition."
Friends Riley Lovett and Molly Rossbach shared a nostalgic laugh after their ride, recalling the "butterflies" it gave them. Upon learning the ride was 100 years old, Lovett high-fived Rossbach, who proclaimed, "Happy birthday Tilt-A-Whirl!"