The portable nature of the traveling carnival industry has always intrigued me. I’m writing another blog from my front porch in Boonville, watching as the carnival continues its setup for my hometown fair across the street. Just 24 hours ago, they were totally set up, 25 miles away in another small upstate town. By 4:00 pm tomorrow afternoon, the wheels will again be turning on the rides. The pop corn will be popped and all of the other food stands will be operating. The game trailers will all be stocked and the “agents” ready for another week’s work. When I was a kid, some carnival food was unique. The only place you could get cotton candy was at the county fair and you looked forward to it every year. Today, it’s readily available at any number of outlets.
Another of the most interesting aspects of the carnival business is how “plush”, the stuffed animals people will pay good money to win at carnival games is still the prize of choice. Everything from bicycles to TV’s has been offered as prizes to attract players. Stuffed animals still provide the magnet that pulls people into a game. This despite the fact that nearly every attic in America is filled with the fury critters.
Looks like the setup here is progressing, nicely. The carnival that plays the Dutchess County Fair won’t have it so easy with such a short “jump”. They tear down on a Saturday night and while they won’t open again until 10 am the following Tuesday morning (Aug. 24th), they have to travel nearly 400 miles from Gathersburg, MD to Rhinebeck, NY. All of this effort will make the near magical transformation of another vacant fairgrounds into the marvelous midway that will entertain our 350,000 plus visitors. I’m excited!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment