The 2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival at Pioneer High School opened on Wednesday, June 21. It continues through Sunday, June 25 at Pioneer High School. The Ann Arbor Jaycees invited me to the Carnival so we could check it out and report back to our readers.
Check out our thoughts and tips for visiting the carnival. Have you been to the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival this year? Add your thoughts to the comments below or social media.
- 2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival Walkthrough
- Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Wristband and Ticket Prices
- 2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Rides
- 2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Review
- Other Activities at Ann Arbor Pioneer Carnival
- Food at Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival
- 2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Schedule
- Tips for Visiting the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival
- Changes to Carnival for Safety
2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival Walkthrough
The Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival includes rides, games, food, and other activities. It is held in the Pioneer High School parking lot. Skerbeck Entertainment returns to provide the rides and games. This year featured mostly returning rides.
Check out the Facebook Live Walkthrough video that I made at the Carnival:
Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Wristband and Ticket Prices
Ride Wristbands are $30 for any day or any age. After the carnival starts, they can only be purchased with CASH at the ticket booth. Ride Tickets are 4/$5 or 50/$50 with a minimum purchase of $10/person or $20/family.
The chart below can help you decide between a ride wristband, tickets, or a combination. Sometimes wristbands for the kids and tickets for adults to accompany on a few ride is the best option.
They only take cash to purchase tickets at the gate so be sure to stop at the ATM first. They do have an on-site ATM, but its fees will likely be higher than stopping at your own bank. Midway bucks can also be purchased at the gate for use at food stands or games.
2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Rides
For 2023, the carnival features many of the same rides they had in the past.
The Carnival has a good mix of rides for both younger kids, families, and thrill seeking tweens and teens. However, my impression is that the number of rides was similar to 2022.
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Height Restrictions & Ticket Requirements
Are you wondering about what your child will be able to ride? Or, if a ride wristband is a good choice for your family? Check out the list of rides with tickets and height requirements.
Ride | Height | Tickets |
---|---|---|
Carousel | 36″ with adult, 42″ alone | 3 |
Cliff Hanger | 46″ minimum | 4 |
Combination Carousel | 24″minimum, 56″ maximum (there were parents kneeling next to their kids) | 3 |
Downdraft | 46″ with adult, 48″ alone | 5 |
Flying Saucer | 36″ minimum, 56″ maximum | 3 |
Giant Wheel | 36″ with adult, 48″ alone (no single riders) | 5 |
Jumbo Flying Elephants | 36″ minimum, 48″ alone | 4 |
Kiddie Scrambler | 24″ minimum, 52″ maximum | 3 |
Merry Go Roundx | 36″ with adult, 42″ alone | 3 (usually 0 for standing adult) |
Mighty Mac | 24″ minimum, 56″ maximum | 3 |
Music Express | 42″ with adult, 52″ alone | 5 |
Scooter (Bumper Cars) | 42″ with adult, 48″ alone | 4 |
Spin Apple | 36″ with adult, 42″ alone | 3 |
Spinner | 36″ with adult, 42″ alone | 3 |
Super Nova 360 | 55″ minimum | 6 |
Tea Cups | 36″ minimum, 54″ maximum | 3 |
Wacky Shack | 36″ with adult, 44″ alone | 4 |
2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Review
This year my daughter wasn’t able to join me at the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival. She has to work almost every day during the carnival hours, but may try to go later this week. While she didn’t join me today, many rides are repeats that she has enjoyed in the past.
I definitely recommend visiting the Carnival closer to opening since it tends to be less crowded and ride lines are shorter. In past years we have visited on Friday or Saturday night and encountered 20+ minute lines for rides. When I was there between 4 and 5p, most rides were waiting for riders.
We arrived at the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival shortly around 4:40p and stayed until 6:15p. With minimal lines, it was the perfect amount of time.
Thrill Rides at A2Jaycees Carnival
Super Nova 360
The Super Nova 360 returns, and is again the biggest thrill ride. Check out our video of SuperNova 360 at the 2016 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival. Last year, I stood and watched my daughter ride – alongside teens who also opted out of riding with their friends.
Zipper
My daughter loves the Zipper, but often doesn’t get to ride unless she brings a friend or finds one there.
Music Express
New this year is Music Express – a version of the Arctic Bobs they’ve had in the past. Typically the ride goes forward and backwards. I did see it run forwards during my walkthrough. I can’t confirm it does go backwards since it wasn’t running the other times I walked by.

Downdraft
Downdraft was introduced last year. My daughter and I weren’t as impressed as we hoped to be. We felt the circular motion overrode the downdraft.
Intermediate Rides at Pioneer HS Carnival
There are a few ride options for kids (and adults) who don’t like the super thrill rides.
The Giant Wheel towers over the carnival as you drive down Main St or Stadium. This ride requires a few riders to stay in balance. Spin the Apple keeps you closer to the ground – as long as you don’t mind spinning.

The Wacky Shack which made its debut in 2018 is back.

This year, the intermediate rides also include: Cliff Hanger, Spinner, and Jumbo the Flying Elephant

Kiddie Rides at Ann Arbor Carnival
The carnival had several kiddie rides. The Merry Go Round is right at the entrance.

In addition to the traditional merry go round, the kiddie section has a mini carousel with vehicles. These vehicles are lower to the ground and a better choice for young children.
There are also flying UFOs, Mighty Mac Trains, and a kiddie coaster.

Other Activities at Ann Arbor Pioneer Carnival
I have to admit that once I buy a ride wristband, we usually focus on the rides. We don’t pay for extra experiences like games, the rock wall, or bungee bounce.
The carnival seemed to have a good mix of traditional carnival games. I had to take a picture of the duck pond. Long before I started this website, I let my 18 month old daughter play the Duck Pond. An Ann Arbor News photographer took her photo with the beach ball globe she won playing.

There is also a bungee jump with a $10 fee.
Food at Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival
The food available at the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is standard carnival food. I know there is an ice cream stand by SuperNova. I also saw Chicken Tenders, French Fries, Hot Dogs, Corn Dogs, Elephant Ears, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Sno-Cones, etc.

2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Schedule
The schedule for the 2023 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is below:
No EventsTips for Visiting the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival
- Visit early in the week and early in the day for the least crowds.
- Bring Cash – They only accept cash for the wristband or tickets. An ATM is available onsite, but I am sure the fees are high.
- Wear Sunscreen – the Pioneer Parking Lot is very sunny so make sure you are protected
- Bring Water – We had slings for our water bottles which we were able to take on many rides. Or leave sitting on the edge of the enclosure.
- Adults may need to ride with kids in intermediate height ranges. Consider either a band for an adult or tickets to split rides with the kids. When my daughter was 4, she wanted to go on a higher thrill ride and needed an adult. My husband made a ticket booth run while she and I waited in in a long line.
Changes to Carnival for Safety
Over the years, there have been several incidents of fights at the carnival. In 2019, the Carnival had to close early one night after a fight. Skerbeck has made a few changes to the carnival to decrease the likelihood of fights. Personally, we typically go in early afternoon and have not witnessed any issues.
This year, there are restrictions on entering the Jaycees Carnival.
- The minimum purchase required to enter midway is $10/person or $20/family.
- Entry to Midway is permitted 1 hour or more before close (last entry at 8:00 pm)
- To enter you need to go through the ticket lines
- No re-entry after you leave.
- No unaccompanied minors are admitted
The Pioneer High School Carnival hours have also been adjusted. The carnival now ends at 8p each day.