Today we celebrate the classic amusement park ride that, much like party planning, has its ups and downs, makes you want to scream at times and once it’s all over and done, you’ll just want to do it over again!

Even if you can’t sneak away to spend the day riding rides and playing games, you still can bring the fun and excitement home to you and your family with these great ideas and recipes—the best part is you won’t have to wait in a single line to enjoy them!

Brooklyn’s own Coney Island was the inspiration behind this sweet soiree found on the Hostess Blog.  The bold and festive décor pairs old-fashioned fun with a modern flare that is both classic and unique all at once.

No trip to a theme park is complete without this deep-friend classic. Brooke of Pizzazzerie offers up a nice, hot recipe for Funnel Cake that is sure to bring back a memory or two. Move fast and get ‘em while they’re hot, because these crunchy cakes will disappear faster than you can say “powdered sugar”!

This next idea party idea comes from Scheme Events and lets adults in on the fun and games. Throw a Backyard Carnival Party like this one and watch your friends go wild with classic fair games, caricature artists and an old-fashioned photo booth.

Here’s a sophisticated twist on a State Fair staple. Sarah of Love & Homemade Recipes makes spun sugar look like a precious metal in this recipe for gourmet Cotton Candy. Present a stick of this fancy floss to your guests at your next dinner party and watch as their eyes light up in child-like wonder.