The Great Northwest Midway
The Ferris Wheel at night. From Bowers’ “Expo 74 World’s Fair Spokane.”
From the Official Guidebook:
UNIVERSA - A GALAXY OF ADVENTURE
By the early light of childhood’s wonder, leaping alive on a springboard of twilight to fascinate the young-at-heart, Expo' ‘74 presents an Amusement Area to remember.
A 21-ride salute to your spirit of adventure!
Universa!
A twinkling wonderland of thrills, super-rides and challenging games of skill. And original - in the highest World’s Fair tradition.
On an L-shaped playsite edged on the south by the Fair’s boundary and on the north by the river, Universa is all aglitter with whirl-away action.
Planners traveled far to assure that Universa would be a standout attraction at this World’s Fair. Combing the imagination centers of the U.S. and Europe, they have installed twenty-one exciting rides - some of them making a first-time-anywhere debut for Expo ‘74.
In a parklike setting, you’ll enjoy a huge roller coaster, a giant ferris wheel, auto scooters, an electric speedway, large antique “drive ‘em” cars, a fun house, a banshee ride-in-the-dark, a mirror maze, the Matterhorn down-mountain ride, a waltzer, a spinaround ride, a loop ride, a breathtaking Spider ride, the Trabant - a unique new toboggan ride, the Roundup anti-gravity wheel, and the Himalaya, a Swiss winter-ride on artificial snow.
Twelve skill games - and a penny arcade - are also provided for Universa visitors, young and old.
There’ll be good, wholesome food and refreshments for you, too - at a selection of hamburger, hot dog, and popcorn palaces - together with a choice of novelty shops and an official Expo ‘74 souvenir stand.
Universa is a sure bet to take your breath away - and to borrow a share of your vacation memories to keep forever.
Postcard’s back reads: “THE GREAT NORTHWEST MIDWAY night lights give added thrills to the rides. Games, refreshments and fun for everyone.”
“Far Out” ride at rest.
“Far Out” ride in motion.
I have no idea why the midway was called “Universa” in the official souvenir program but “The Great Northwest Midway” on the postcards. Other merchandise calls it “Fun World.”
The “large antique ‘drive em’ cars” mentioned in the guidebook.
