The 2024 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival at Pioneer High School opened on Thursday, June 20. It continues through Sunday, June 23 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.
- 2024 Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival Walkthrough
- Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Wristband and Ticket Prices
- 2024 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Rides
- 2024 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Review
- Other Activities at Ann Arbor Pioneer Carnival
- Food at Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival
- 2024 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Schedule
- Tips for Visiting the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival
- Changes to Carnival for Safety
2024 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 $1.50 each or 50/$60 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.
2024 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Rides
For 2024, 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.
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 (usually 0 for standing adult) |
| Cliff Hanger | 46″ minimum | 4 |
| Downdraft | 46″ with adult, 48″ alone | 5 |
| Flying Saucer * | 36″ minimum, 56″ maximum | 3 |
| Giant Wheel | No single riders (previously 48″ to ride alone) | 5 |
| Jumbo Flying Elephants | 36″ minimum, 48″ alone | 4 |
| Kiddie Scrambler | 24″ minimum, 52″ maximum | 3 |
| Mighty Mac | 24″ minimum, 56″ maximum | 3 |
| Scooter (Bumper Cars) | 42″ with adult, 48″ alone | 4 |
| Sea Ray (Pirate Ship) | 42″ | 4 |
| Spin Apple | 36″ with adult, 42″ alone | 3 |
| Spinner | 36″ with adult, 42″ alone | 3 |
| Super Nova 360 | 55″ minimum | 6 |
| Tilt A Whirl * | 4 | |
| Wacky Shack | 36″ with adult, 44″ alone | 4 |
| Zipper | 48″ (must have a partner) | 5 |
* I missed details on two rides. Due to the heat, my phone overheated twice and I had to let it cool down. The details on height and tickets for Flying Saucers are from 2024. Tilt A Whirl was not at the carnival last year and I missed a photo of the height requirement.
2024 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Review
I am not going to lie, it was HOT at the Jaycees Carnival this year. My phone actually overheated twice as I was trying to capture photos and videos to share with you. The carnival is in full sun although they have some seating areas under tents. Definitely bring water bottles and make sure to apply sunscreen.
My daughter was able to join me at the carnival this year. She asked a few friends to go with us, but they were out of town or working. So she was happy to run into former Girl Scout troop mates at the carnival.
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 we were there between 4 and 5p, most rides were waiting for riders. The longest wait we saw was for the previous ride to end.
We arrived at the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival shortly after 4 and stayed until a little after 5. My daughter was able to ride everything she wanted
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. In 2023, I stood and watched my daughter ride – alongside teens who also opted out of riding with their friends. Make sure your pocket contents are secure! My daughter’s wallet fell out of her pocket. Fortunately it didn’t hit anyone and they were able to retrieve it.
Zipper
My daughter loves the Zipper, but often doesn’t get to ride unless she brings a friend or finds one there. Check out our previous video.
Downdraft
Downdraft was introduced in 2022. We rode it that year, and we weren’t as impressed as we hoped to be. We felt the circular motion overrode the downdraft.
Titl-A-Whirl
Tilt-A-Whirl has been one of my favorite carnival rides since I was a kid. It was the one ride I picked to ride with my daughter.
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.
Personally, I’m not a bumper car fan, but my husband and daughter love them.
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 Carousel is always a hit with kids of all ages.
There are also flying UFOs, Mighty Mac Trains, and a kiddie spinner.
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 or bungee bounce. But, I did make sure to capture some of the details if these are your favorite activities.
| Game | Costs |
| Ring Toss | $10/Bucket |
| Basketball | $5/1 ball, $10/3 balls, $20/7 balls |
| Lucky Duck | $5/1, $10/3 – wins every time |
| Lean & Toss | $5/1, $10/3 |
Two other games I saw were popping balloons with darts and rolling balls to score in a race. I did not see pricing on either game.
They have two lucky ducks including one that is lower for young kids to participate more easily. 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. There are 5 food stands:
- Elephant Ears, Funnel Cake, & Lemonade
- Cotton Candy, Popcorn & Caramel/Candy Apples
- French Fries, Chicken Tenders, Hot Dogs, Italian Sausage & More
- Pizza
- Drinks and Ice Cream
2024 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Schedule
The schedule for the 2024 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is below:
🎡 Thursday, June 20 – 4:00pm-9:00pm – Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival🎡 Friday, June 21 – 4:00pm-9:00pm – Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival
🎡 Saturday, June 22 – 12:00pm-9:00pm – Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival
🎡 Sunday, June 23 – 12:00pm-9:00pm – Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival
Tips for Visiting the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival
- Visit early in the week and close to opening 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.
As with recent years, 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 (Under 18 requires an adult)
The Pioneer High School Carnival hours have also been adjusted. The carnival now ends at 8p each day.
