Carny Town - Traveling Carnivals, Fairs and Festivals

Carny "brat" says HI!

Jessi (nvcarnie) wrote in amusement, @ 2004-04-03 19:34:00

Below is excerpted from a Live Journel Blog from a carny kid:

“Breaker, Breaker 1-9, Radio check,” I spoke hesitantly into the handheld microphone. I don’t remember exactly how old I was when I first spoke those words, but it is safe to say that it happened long before the tender age of 4, and I repeated them countless times throughout my childhood. Sometimes, I find myself using them even now, an adult in the “real world.” I no longer have my own CB radio, but my memories of using one are fond, and spin me off into memories of my childhood.

My earliest childhood memories all revolve around the carnival, around my status as a “carnie brat” (a kid whose parents are carnies – a kid who grows up on a carnival). I don’t remember the first time I went upside down on a carnival ride or the first time I was allowed to walk to “midway” on my own. I was at home on the “lot” and I walked around with pride. I was “with it.”

To any carnie brat, the memories aren’t about riding the rides or playing the games. They are about being a truck for 3 hours at a time without a bathroom break because you have to reach the next city in time to slough. The memories are about hopping out of a truck for the first time 3 hours and going to the bathroom and then getting your hands dirty working. It’s not an easy life, by any means, but there are perks. After hours of hard work, there are hours of hard play.

Sometimes, there were benefits of being a carnie brat. Anytime we came across another carnival in some city or another, or even at “home,” I got free passes. There was one year when I was about 12 that the carnies on one midway decided to start a bet. They started a cash pool to see which one of them could make get sick first. I got the best rides that year. I was still young enough to ride a ride 4 or 5 times in a row and walk off in a perfectly straight line (something we carnie brats really look for in each other, you know!) I never did get sick, and I think I made a lot of the carnies angry at me. But I had a great time at the carnival that year!

One thing I have to say about a carnie brat is that I was never short on having toys. I never asked for toys for Christmas – I always had more than enough. Every time we got a shipment of toys in, I was allowed to take one or two for myself. I had toys of every kind, of every shape and size. I had small stuffed animals, little glider jets, Chinese fans with designs on them, tops, miniature pinball machines, great big stuffed animals, an entire Disney collection of stuffed animals, framed pictures of “carnie quality” and anything else that my little heart desired. I guess it was a small payment for all the hard work I gave to that carnival during my childhood.

In my house, we never answered the phone by saying “hello” or anything of the sort. We answered the phone, “Sue-Z-Q-Rides and Expo, how may I help you?” The business number shared with our personal number, so the only time we didn’t answer a call with a business tone was when the Caller ID identified a family member.

Carnie life was unique that is for sure, but I would be naïve to think that I was the only person who grew up in such away. It may not be usual, but it certainly is not singularly important in the events of human kind. Yet – it certainly shaped my life in very unique ways. I still think like a carnie, act like a carnie. I will always be a carnie brat.

At heart, I miss those “breaker, breaker 1-9” moments. Every time I pass a carnival on the street, I sigh with nostalgia and I walk the lot with the sly knowledge that I will always be “with it,” that the carnival will never leave me. You might be able to take the carnie brat off the carnival, but you can never take the carnival out of the carnie brat.

So – to my comrades in rides ;-) – “Breaker, Breaker, 1-9er, radio check?”

Reithoffer Reup at Pensacola

Reithoffer Shows signed a new five-year extension to play the Pensacola, FL Interstate Fair. Pictured are retiring fair manager John Frenkel, left, Rick Reithoffer, fair assistant GM Don Frenkel, incoming assistant manager Felecia Chivington (John Frenkel's daughter) and Reithoffer patriarch Pat Reithoffer Jr.
Reithoffer Shows is one of the most popular and largest traveling Carnivals in the Mid-East. More information is available at http://www.reithoffershows.com/

More Carny Lingo

AGENT - A carnival game operator who has the ability and the experience to qualify for the title. Normally used to describe a talented clerk who is able to get customers to play over and over again, winning only small prizes. This person also normally has worked the joints for a long period of time. He may be called a jointee at times, but may be insulted.

Charlie Bray to take charge of IAAPA tommorow

Charlie Bray to take IAAPA helm on Feb. 1

Charlie Bray will assume the role of president of the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions on Feb. 1, replacing the outgoing J. Clark Robinson.

Late Christmas Gift

Santa Claus himself took the inaugural spin on the new Xtreme Swing ride from S&S Worldwide that will debut at Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minn., in May. Kringle got a special December preview.

Our RSS feed delived by E Mail

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Draw your own Conclusions

Tonight the President will say:

STATE OF THE UNION EXCERPTS

"In this decisive year, you and I will make choices that determine both the future and the character of our country. We will choose to act confidently in pursuing the enemies of freedom - or retreat from our duties in the hope of an easier life. We will choose to build our prosperity by leading the world economy - or shut ourselves off from trade and opportunity. In a complex and challenging time, the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting - yet it ends in danger and decline. The only way to protect our people ... the only way to secure the peace ... the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership - so the United States of America will continue to lead."

The President will talk about America's leadership role in the world, and the importance of working together to better protect our country, support our troops, and advance freedom:

"Abroad, our Nation is committed to an historic, long-term goal - we seek the end of tyranny in our world... the future security of America depends on it."

"In a time of testing, we cannot find security by abandoning our commitments and retreating within our borders. If we were to leave these vicious attackers alone, they would not leave us alone. They would simply move the battlefield to our own shores."

"...Ultimately, the only way to defeat the terrorists is to defeat their dark vision of hatred and fear by offering the hopeful alternative of political freedom and peaceful change."

"To overcome dangers in our world, we must also take the offensive by encouraging economic progress, fighting disease, and spreading hope in hopeless lands."

To keep America competitive in a dynamic economy, the President will set out an agenda focused on the priorities that families are most concerned about. He will talk about the importance of having an educated, skilled workforce, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and making health care more affordable, accessible, and portable:

"Here at home, America also has a great opportunity: We will build the prosperity of our country by strengthening our economic leadership in the world."

On Competitiveness:

"The American economy is pre-eminent - but we cannot afford to be complacent. In a dynamic world economy, we are seeing new competitors like China and India."

"We must continue to lead the world in human talent and creativity. Our greatest advantage in the world has always been our educated, hard-working, ambitious people - and we are going to keep that edge."

On Energy:

"America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world... The best way to break this addiction is through technology."

On Health Care:

"Our government has a responsibility to help provide health care for the poor and the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility. For all Americans, we must confront the rising cost of care ... strengthen the doctor-patient relationship ... and help people afford the insurance coverage they need."

Finally, the President will speak to the character and compassion of America:

"...our greatness is not measured in power or luxuries, but by who we are and how we treat one another. So we strive to be a compassionate, decent, hopeful society."

Your comments are welcomed!

Tulsa State Fair exec Denny Tuttle dead at 54

As reported today by Amusement Business Magazine, Denny Tuttle, manager of the Tulsa State Fair and an executive at Expo Square, the Oklahoma city's event destination, for 32 years, died Monday following heart surgery. He was 54.

Survivors include his wife, Debbie, and sons Ryan, 13, and John, 14. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tuttle Family Benefit Fund at Exchange Bank, P.O. Box 1857, Owasso, OK 74055, or by calling the bank at (918) 272-7500.

The funeral is to take place Friday at Expo Square Pavilion.

Tuttle spent 32 years at Expo Square, the last as CEO. He started in the accounting department in 1974, became chief financial officer in 1976, was promoted to event supervisor in 1983 and then to assistant fair manager in 1988. He was instrumental in the passing of 4 To Fix The County, an improvement package passed by voters that made several improvements to Expo Square in recent years.

Expo Square hosts more than 400 events each year, including the annual Tulsa State Fair, home shows and livestock events as well as Bell's Amusement Park and Tulsa Drillers minor-league baseball.

West Palm Attendance UP!

The 95th annual South Florida Fair in West Palm Beach turned out to be the best ever, drawing attendance of 588,268, up 3% or 17,000 visitors from 2005.
Wade Shows fielded the Midway.

Minnesota State Fair posts big Gain

As reported by Amusement Busniness Magazine, The Minnesota State Fair realized a net operating gain of $1.3 million in 2005, based on gross revenue of $30.8 million and gross operating expenses of $29.5 million, according to financial reports released by the fair.

The fair drew 1,632,876 visitors, up slightly from 2004, and again placed third on Amusement Business' list of the top 50 fairs in North America as ranked by attendance