The 2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival at Pioneer High School opened on Thursday, June 19. It continues through Sunday, June 22 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. We love the mix of rides and fun the carnival offers. Even better the profits from the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival stay local to Ann Arbor. They support the Jaycees programming (like the Fourth of July Parade) and local service projects.
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.
- A Glimpse of the 2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival
- Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Entry Requirements
- 2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Rides
- 2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Review
- Other Activities at Ann Arbor Pioneer Carnival
- Food at Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival
- 2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Schedule
- Tips for Visiting the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival
- Changes to Carnival for Safety
A Glimpse of the 2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival
Check out our video glimpse of the Carnival.
Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Entry Requirements
Ride Wristbands are $35 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. Entry requires 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 ATM. Midway bucks can also be purchased at the gate for use at food stands or games.
All minors (under the age of 18), must be accompanied by an adult due to security concerns.
2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Rides
For 2025, 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.
Events from our Sponsors
 Kindergarten Open House and PlaytimeSunday, November 16 |  Hillside Christmas Tree FarmWeekends November 22-December 21 |  Breakfast with SantaSundays, November 30-December 14 |
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 |
| Giant Wheel * | No single riders (previously 48″ to ride alone) | 5 |
| Jumbo Flying Elephants | 36″ minimum, 48″ alone | 4 |
| Jump Cycle | 36″ minimum, 46″ maximum | 3 |
| Mini Scrambler * | 24″ minimum, 52″ maximum | 3 |
| Mini Jets | 36″ minimum, 54″ maximum | 3 |
| Mighty Mac | 24″ minimum, 56″ maximum | 3 |
| Music Express | 42″ with adult, 52″ alone | 5 |
| Scrambler ** | Did not take Photo | Did not take Photo |
| 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 & at least 14 years old | 6 |
| Swings | 42″ | 4 |
| Wacky Shack | 36″ with adult, 44″ alone | 4 |
* I missed details on a couple of rides. Details from 2024 are listed in place
** I missed the details on this ride and it was not there last year.
2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Review
I visited the Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival on Thursday at 4p – which is when I typically visit the carnival. While not crowded at 4p, there were more people than we usually see at 4p.
There was a nice mix of rides for both young kids, families, and teens.
When you are buying ride tickets and wristbands, take notes of which rides will require an adult to ride with a small child or require a partner (giant wheel).
My daughter wasn’t able to visit with me this year, but there was a return of rides she likes like the SuperNova 360 and Cliff Hanger. Personally I always love the Swings and Music Express.
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.
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.
Music Express
Music Express has been one of my favorite carnival rides since I was a kid. I remember riding it at carnivals as a tween.
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 Carousel is always a hit with kids of all ages.
There are also Mighty Mac Trains, “Jumping” motorcycles, mini jets, 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. The bungee bounce is $10.
This year’s games included popping balloons with darts, rolling balls to score in a race, squirt gun races., and lucky ducks.
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. (Note photo is a couple of years old – the pond looks the same but prizes are different)
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
2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival Schedule
The schedule for the 2025 Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival is below:
🎡 Friday, June 20 – 4:00pm-9:00pm – Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival
🎡 Saturday, June 21 – 12:00pm-10:00pm – Ann Arbor Jaycees Summer Carnival
🎡 Sunday, June 22 – 12:00pm-10:00pm – 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.
