Romania’s autumn fairs: a colorful reminder of summer’s end
Romania's autumn fairs are a loud, colorful reminder that summer has come to an end. And for many families in poorer areas of the country, they are one of the few affordable events of the year.
Fairs like the one in Titu, northwest of Bucharest, which is on its 187th edition, were the sole public entertainment in 19th-century rural Romania. It's a bit more high-tech nowadays, but otherwise little has changed in two centuries.
Thousands flock to fields outside small cities, where entertainment areas are set up from mid-week until the weekend.
Music and flashing lights strike visitors on arrival at the fairground, which is constantly engulfed in smoke from the food grills and an endless mix of food flavors.
A child holds Fete, a small dog, at a target shooting stand at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Nowadays, music blasts from large speakers at deafening levels, featuring trendy pop songs from international bands or techno versions of Romanian popular songs.
Entertainers scream at the top of their lungs to advertise the rides, painted in a kitsch style with images of famous action movie actors like Vin Diesel or performers like Michael Jackson.
While younger people focus on the fairground rides and games, the elderly take advantage of the markets, stocking up on winter supplies of fruits, vegetables and other household items available at lower prices than in Romania's mainstream shops.
Romania, a nation of 19.4 million, is located on the Black Sea in southeastern Europe. It is one of the poorest members of the 28-nation European Union and has struggled to fight rampant corruption.
People enjoy a ride at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
People enjoy a swing ride at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A child jumps on a trampoline at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
An attendant waits for swing ride customers at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Shot with a slow shutter speed, people enjoy a swing ride at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A person wearing a rabbit outfit stands by a ride at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A little girl holds a toy at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
An attendant adjusts his hat while waiting for customers near a shooting stand at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A little girl points to a toy stand at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A child laughs while on a ride at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A girl carries a little boy by a merry go round at a fair in Calarasi, southern Romania, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
A man tests his strength at a boxing power punch machine at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)
Rides are backdropped by the sunset sky at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A child runs by a merry go round at an autumn fair in Rosiorii de Vede, southern Romania, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A small child runs by as a man adjusts a lights of a ride at an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Children, one wearing a tiger mask, sit at a table in the food area of an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A ride is lit up before the start of an autumn fair in Titu, southern Romania, Sept. 12, 2019 (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Text from AP News story AP PHOTOS: Romania's autumn fairs delight all ages, incomes by Vadim Ghirda and Andreea Alexandru.