Along with the corn dogs and competition tomatoes, rides are an essential part of state and county fairs. Many visitors come for the scary rides. I am NOT among those who elect to be strapped into the Brute. The glowing arms slowly rise up into the sky and begin to swing back and forth while the claw-like seats rotate. Back and forth, round and round, swooping down way too close to the crowds gathered around the base. We heard screams of actual pure terror from some of the riders. And yet, the line to ride the Brute is always the longest line at the fair.