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Not just fun and games

The long summer

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 11:54 AM EST 25/10/08

The carnival workers of Conklin Supershows don't see the big-city glam of the CNE or the PNE. From April to October, they travel small towns, setting up shopping mall midways and county fairs. It's a fading way of life with few rewards. For many, photographer Charla Jones reports, it's the only road they know. ...Read the full article

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  1. della baird from vancouver, Canada writes: dee vancouver: in 1956 at age 15 i joined the biggest rolling carnival in north america,''Royal American Shows". i caught the 'bug'. many people confuse a carnival with a circus. a circus had animal acts in those days,carnival attractions were the rides.gameswith huge stuffed animals and small ones for various winners. they were much better made than the ones seen today,but the little hollow cupie dolls with their painted on wavy blonde hair tied to a skinny green cane were my favourite.we travelled by train that started in shreveport louisiana up through winnipeg,brandon man.and on to the calgary stampede.this was called the 'a circuit'the bigger the show the higher up the alphabet.on to edmonton for the 'EX'then to saskatoon and regina.from those 'spots' onto what was then called the 'lake head' Thunder Bay. from there back to the states down to Minneapolis-ST. Paul Minnesota.this of course was the western circuit.there is no way to explain the charge you get working in that atmosphere.we had our own huge tent cookhouse only for the carnies.with delicious full course meals.we worked 14 hr. days with a days travel in between.you went to the chinese laundry mondays and picked it up tuesday.you had to be back onthe grounds by ten am.the sounds the smells, the barkers yelling from the side shows and the game bosses crooking their fingers at the boys to come and win a prize for their girls.you walked on sawdust to keep the dust down.there is too much to cover here.but one of my fave memories was travelling in the birth on the train, beside a a wide open window, while rolling across the prairie naked and the soft breezes that tickled your skin,and lulled you to sleep with the steady clack of the rails.it got in my and many other's,and remains to this day. fifty two years later, at the first sign of spring' my feet still begin to itch and i want to be there again, forever.
  2. della baird from vancouver, Canada writes: dee vancouver: in 1956 at age 15 i joined the biggest rolling carnival in north america,''Royal American Shows". i caught the 'bug'. many people confuse a carnival with a circus. a circus had animal acts in those days,carnival attractions were the rides.gameswith huge stuffed animals and small ones for various winners. they were much better made than the ones seen today,but the little hollow cupie dolls with their painted on wavy blonde hair tied to a skinny green cane were my favourite.we travelled by train that started in shreveport louisiana up through winnipeg,brandon man.and on to the calgary stampede.this was called the 'a circuit'the bigger the show the higher up the alphabet.on to edmonton for the 'EX'then to saskatoon and regina.from those 'spots' onto what was then called the 'lake head' Thunder Bay. from there back to the states down to Minneapolis-ST. Paul Minnesota.this of course was the western circuit.there is no way to explain the charge you get working in that atmosphere.we had our own huge tent cookhouse only for the carnies.with delicious full course meals.we worked 14 hr. days with a days travel in between.you went to the chinese laundry mondays and picked it up tuesday.you had to be back onthe grounds by ten am.the sounds the smells, the barkers yelling from the side shows and the game bosses crooking their fingers at the boys to come and win a prize for their girls.you walked on sawdust to keep the dust down.there is too much to cover here.but one of my fave memories was travelling in the birth on the train, beside a a wide open window, while rolling across the prairie naked and the soft breezes that tickled your skin,and lulled you to sleep with the steady clack of the rails.it got in my and many other's,and remains to this day. fifty two years later, at the first sign of spring' my feet still begin to itch and i want to be there again, forever.
  3. Don Currie from Canada writes: "The Canadian workers say they typically make from $340 to $400 a week, working from eight to 14 hours a day with one day off."

    “You're working 60 hours a week, you're travelling and also living with people 24 hours a day, so we have a terrible time finding people from Ontario to work,&8221; Mr. McKelvey says.

    Duh! If you do some basic mathematical calculations, it would appear these people are making less than the minimum wage.

    What part of this equation don't you understand?
  4. Nick Rivers from Canada writes: I worked for Conklin one summer, when I was 17. What a terrible employer. What a terrible job.

    Fine for me, I was a kid. I worked 20-30 hours on a weekend, and got paid for it. The fellas I worked with (the "men"), worked a full 40 during the week, and then a full weekend as well. Problem is, they only got paid for 40 hours, because they were "on salary".

    Some shady payroll practices going on there. But that was 17 years ago. I bet they're all straight-up and stuff now...
  5. MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: I have been frightened by carnies my whole life. My children were never allowed to attend the exhibition here; I always ensured they were out of province so there would be no temptation. I don't think either of them, now young adults, have ever bothered to go to any large fair anywhere. Just an unsafe intimidating week-long event in my mind.
  6. Working Stiff from Cowtown, Canada writes: Compared to todays imported labour in the construction industry; not too much difference!
    these folks come from a different country; get paid the absolute minimum instead of the $28 promised, live 8-10 men in houses provided by Canadian employers.
  7. Nick Rivers from Canada writes: When I worked for Conklin, the bulk of the labour came from Newfoundlanders that only came down for the "season" (i.e. to get their minimum hours so they can go back home and collect EI).

    Obviously, no one trying to provide for a family could work for these folks.
  8. E Stuhl from NYC, United States writes: MJ Patchouli - you sound like you shelter your kids too much. It's a fair, for crying out loud. Overparenting is just as bad as underparenting, you realize.
  9. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: A few guys I went to high school with worked as carnies after they graduated (or didn't graduate). The key to surviving the summer? Smoke lots of pot. As much as you can. As often as you can. Every single day if possible. Otherwise the hours and the monotony will get to you. One should never attempt this job non-stoned.
  10. MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: Parents make decisions based on their own beliefs and experiences all the time; it's our only real frame of reference. Not going to a dirty expensive midway, with clanking rides put together by stoned toothless high school dropouts, where local gangs look for youth to embroil in trouble -- nah, I don't feel too guilty for insisting they miss out on that. Sorry, missing the dirty old fair doesn't count as missed opportunity.

    As for being overly sheltered, I can say my eldest who is in her twenties has independently traveled and worked through five continents and is truly a citizen of the world. So not too sheltered as to be frightened of the world, just of places where criminals like to hang out.
  11. Joseph Cooper from East York, Canada writes: I am absolutely shocked at MJ Patchouli's bigoted comments about people who work in the carnival world. My father had a very different attitude and asked a carnival friend of his to hire me on when I was a teenager. What I discovered while working 14 hours a day, six days a week, was that the carnival world was actually a very conservative and moral place. Crooks, lay-abouts and sex-offenders were not welcome. Ironically, and a point that MJ Patchouli should consider, is that in the world of the carnie, it is the ordinary person who comes to attend the midway and ride the rides who is not to be trusted. Far too may people who wear the halo of middle-class respectibility and look down upon the carnie crowd are also those who will try to cheat at games, steal prizes, and complain about service. Frankly the carnies had a very close relationship with the local police, particularly the morality squad, who would be in the crowd in plain clothes. The under-cover cops relied heavily on the carnies to be their eyes and ears, keeping an eye out for pick-pockets, men intent on sexual assault and punks looking for a fight. Frankly you can't be a carnie and be on drugs as you'd lose a hand or worse in the machinery, and likewise you'd burn through your money and have nothing by the end of the season. The reality of the situation is that there are a many people who don't have a good education, look good enough to work at McDonalds or Walmart, or have the skills for a high paying job. The carnival world is a refuge for these people and they work hard for the small amount of money they get. And yes, they know about people like MJ Patchouli who looks down at them, which is why the know that all they have are each other and why it is like family. I left that world for a university education and a good paying corporate job with the middle class life to go with it. But to this day I have nothing but respect for carnies for they taught me the meaning of work and the value of a dollar.
  12. MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: Joseph, I appreciate your point of view, but I said I'm actually scared of them and so avoid the fair, not that I think they're scum.

    I also said the fair attracts an element of the public I don't feel comfortable around.

    Maybe you should try being a young teenage girl and see how the fair looks from that view, Joseph, before you decide to paint all people who are frightened of it as snobs. I'm not a snob and have had lots of bad times myself.

    A girl from this city was lured into prostitution by her carnie boyfriend a few years ago; he loved her, you know? Then he pimped her, left her a hopeless druggie, and ultimately, she came home to her parents in a body bag.

    No, I am still glad I "sheltered" my kids from these events.
  13. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Joseph: agree with your post wholeheartedly. I spent one summer (1974) as a 15 yr old carnie worked. Our company was on the B circuit (in terms of sq. footage). We travelled to agricultural shows and fairs in Sask, Man, and NW Ont. I ran a shooting gallery where you could win a pack of cigarettes for 25 cents. As you can imagine, I attracted the cream of society! NOT! I had drunks swing their rifle at me, shoot me point blank in the face (it was a cork, but it still hurt like hell), ... you get the idea. On a good weekend, I could make $1,200. But I didn't get paid for setup and breakdown, nor when we were travelling. And I slept under the trucks. But, at 15, it was a grand adventure! I was always amazed at peoples attitudes towards us. "You're not an orphan?" was the most common question I was asked. As for morality, Joseph's comments are right on the money. Drunks and stoners were quickly run off. In this line of work, you do have to keep your wits about you. And you have to rely on your co-workers for your own safety. As for MJ's observation, sometimes we would have to hire locals. These were always the most risky hires, and generally, the risks were unfortunately realized. But the full-time carnies posed no danger to anyone. Of course, we did enjoy our share of carnie groupies - but that's a story for another time!
  14. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: "...A girl from this city was lured into prostitution by her carnie boyfriend a few years ago; he loved her, you know? Then he pimped her, left her a hopeless druggie, and ultimately, she came home to her parents in a body bag. "

    Sorry MJ, I don't want to sound uncaring but blaming someone else for someone's poor choices doesn't wash with me. The girl made her own choices. She chose her own destiny.

    Many people make poor choices in life. Some are able to recover from them, some not.

    If you truly do believe her carnie boyfriend caused her to become a prostitute, then (by inference) you must also believe that women are not capable of deciding their own futures.

    I believe quite a number of women would not agree with you.
  15. MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: She wasn't a woman, she was a 14-year old girl from a fundamentalist christian family. I don't know anything about the circumstances and yes, she made a choice to leave her life at home to something that somehow seemed more glamourous, I guess. Probably felt stifled at home, and that the carnie boyfriend was her ticket to happiness. Irony.

    And please stop making huge leaps of logic based on a sentence or two of my comments. Your inference that I don't think women capable of making choices is way over the top. Silly actually.
  16. Kay A from Canada writes: We look forward to the carnival at our fall fair in Sept & then hit it again in my parents town at Thanksgiving.
    The kids have a great time and the workers are super concerned about safety and making sure the kids are the right height, etc.
    I can't begin to say how many pictures we have of the kids on the merry-go-round (etc) year after year with whomever happened to be visiting...I should do a collage of them getting bigger and bigger :)
    For myself the exhibition in August and going to the "midway" in late May every year was a part of growing up....especially when you were old enough to go with your friends.
    I can't do the rides anymore (my stomach grew up to be queasy) but the childhood memories twirling on the tilt-a-whirl with mom, dad & my little sister are quite simply priceless!
  17. Alistair McLaughlin from Canada writes: Being a Carny can't be that bad, considering that one of them is now running the Bank of Canada.
  18. Mr Plow from Canada writes: Joseph Cooper: Interesting post, thanks. I grew up in a middle class neighborhood in Regina and worked at the Exhibition one summer as one of the 'locals'. Went on to go to university, med school and the rest. I mention it because, although I work in a field where many dedicate themselves to helping others, I must say that I met some of the nicest and most compassionate people I've ever known that summer and I will always have fond memories.....

    MJ Patchouli: So a girl was lured into prostitution by a carny, huh? Well then, clearly we must fear all carnys.

    BTW, did you know that Jeffery Dahlmer trained as an army medic? Clearly, no army medic can be trusted. Oh, also, the Unabomber was a math professor - but I'm sure you already knew that. We must never allow any child to go near one of those!!!

    In case you need it, sarcasm detectors are on sale at Wal Mart this week. I'm guessing, though, that you feel going to Wal Mart is also too much of a risk?!!

    Sheesh.....
  19. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: "...And please stop making huge leaps of logic based on a sentence or two of my comments. Your inference that I don't think women capable of making choices is way over the top. Silly actually. "

    Satire is completely lost on you, isn't it?
  20. Rollo T from Bofferdink, Belgium writes: MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: Joseph, I appreciate your point of view, but I said I'm actually scared of them and so avoid the fair, not that I think they're scum.
    --------------------------------------------

    Carnivals are scum to be avoided, yes. Tawdry entertainment, crap eats, a waste of money and time. My sympathy goes to the temporary labourers exploited to erect and dismantle the rides.


    Save your money, never go to carnivals. When the kids are 10-12, take them for a week to Disney's Epcot Centre in Florida.
  21. S. Cameron from Oakville, Canada writes: I was disappointed in the overall negative view of this article about Conklin Supershows. I know they work very hard to bring a safe, clean, fun fair to small towns in Ontario. That was evident in the large picture in the article that showed several of the rides. The full-time staff are knowledgeable and well qualified to operate large, potentially dangerous equipment. They know that people's lives are at stake and that they have a huge responsibility to keep all of their visitors safe. Think of that the next time your child is enjoying a ride on the merry-go-round. I think all parents know the pleasure of seeing the smile on a young child's face at the fair. Carnival workers make a lot of personal sacrifices to spend the time to bring that fair to your community.

    These fairs are a big deal to some of the communities they visit. Lots of people can't afford to go to Disney World, and the local fair provides a fun break for the summer. There's a tremendous amount of work involved in moving the fair from town to town, and that work needs to be acknowledged.
  22. bob gervitz from United States writes: Watch for a neat little movie by Kathleen M. Smith called "Carnie". A great visual insight into the real life of the real carnie.
  23. Shirley Baumgartner from Cambridge, Canada writes: Painting all people of a certain occupation with the same brush is
    is no better than any other prejudice. Some of these hard-working people ARE supporting families and don't get to see them for a good part of the season. Please read the book "Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom or see the movie by the same name.
    It just might change some of the negative thinking. I also feel sorry for anyone who has never been to a fall fair!
  24. shelley Finlayson from hamilton, Canada writes: Im 35 yrs old. Im a chritian. I worked in a travelling carnival for about 19 yrs. The carnival was a wonderful, safe, and exciting place for me. I learned many skills out there, that I might never had learmed if i had stayed in sleepy town Burlington. The carnival is a way of life for many people.It feeds their kids and pays their bills. It also lets you see other places you might not have seen,working at a staight job.If you've never lived it you wouldn't understand it.Im educated and i love my kids. I have no criminal record,and im not a drug addict.
    If you worked the shows leave a message get the word out were human have feelings and don't appreciate being labelled.

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