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Beach Visitor, Fairground
A funfair is
a small to medium sized travelling fair, comprised of amusement
rides. Larger fairs or the permanent fairs of cities and seaside
resorts may be called a fairground.
In Medieval times, they held jousting tournaments and feasts. The
words "tournament" and "joust" are often used interchangeably.
Strictly speaking "joust" describes single combat between two
horsemen. "Tournament" refers to mounted combat between parties of
knights, but also is used to refer to the whole proceeding.
The first written tournament guidelines are usually credited to a
Frenchman named Geoffroi de Purelli in 1066. Unfortunately, he was
killed at the very tournament for which he made the rules.
In North America, a fair is sometimes called a carnival or
exhibition, although in Europe and other parts of the world
influenced by the Catholic church, a carnival is a procession
usually held around Shrove Tuesday which is sometimes accompanied by
a funfair.
One strand of the medieval fair has diverged to become the
agricultural show which often still has a funfair attached.
Increasingly, funfairs are appearing as additional attractions
alongside any large gatherings of people such as major sporting
events, music festivals, and civic celebrations.
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