–Helm and Sons Amusements, the new Carnival provider for the 2017 California Mid-State Fair, will provide two separate but equally exciting carnival areas this year.

The traditional area of the main carnival for teens and adults and this year, for the first time ever, a new area called “Cub Country!” This award-winning area will be located right inside the South Gate next to the Frontier Stage.

Helm and Sons Amusements owners say that this “innovative and one of a kind specially themed area known as Cub Country, was themed around the Helm and Sons bear mascot and logo and is designed to provide a safe, fun environment for toddlers and young children, away from the hustle and bustle of the other two carnival areas.”

The area is designed with safety, comfort, and fun in mind. It features, plentiful seating, 4-5 colorful safe, clean, specially selected rides for children in the 32” to 38” height range, one farm-themed soft bounce with low sides so parents can watch their children, themed music, custom-made chainsaw carved wooden Bear ornaments and statues, picket fencing, a winner every time kids only game and plenty of space for strollers and spreading out.

“We developed the concept for Cub Country over the past few years, with the idea in mind that we need to create new and positive experiences for the most underserved of our usual guests – the stroller set,” stated Davey Helm, CEO of Helm and Sons Amusements.

All carnival rides require riders to be a certain height. Ordinarily, a carnival only supplies rides that accommodate children over 38”. Helm and Sons has found that most children in that size range have a younger brother or sister who can’t ride some of the more traditional kid rides alone or at all. “That leaves them with few options and ultimately sad,” according to Helm. It was with this dilemma in mind that Helm and Sons Amusements developed Cub Country.

Over a period of three years, Helm and Sons Amusements began purchasing rides to serve this group of riders. In 2013 the first Cub Country was featured at several fairs.

Great value is also part of the Cub Country plan, every ride is only 4 tickets ($2) the absolute least expensive rides on the midway, and parents go free if the little ones are too scared to go alone.

The 2017 California Mid-State Fair runs July 19 through July 30. This year’s theme is “Come One, Come All!”