Comments on: Thanksgiving As A Carny

By: Tammy

Tammy — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:03:00 +0000

I was a carnie for a while and I loved it. You get to see a lot of places and meet a lot of new people. I worked for the Reed Exposition Midways and it was like one big happy family. I made good money when I worked for them and I agree the work was hard at times. We had long days at times but seeing everyone have fun made it all worthwhile. I did just about everything you can do from selling lemonade to selling tickets, running rides and doing the games. I also did trash pickup and set up rides and made extra money that way. If you don’t have family and want something to do that will be entertaining with a lot of hard work become a carnie.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:43:29 +0000

Wow. … $115 a week for a family of 3 does stink. I hope you have found something that works better for your family. – I got $200 – $250 a week depending on how busy the spot was. (and bunk house rent was only 20 a week, so that left me at least 180 for food, clothes and whatever else I wanted / needed)

By: victoria

victoria — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:04:34 +0000

Being a carnie sucked for me. the reed show only pays 115 a week, and me and my 2 kids had to survive on that. i loved bein able to watch the kids smile n play, but it wasnt worth 115 a week.

By: David

David — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:26:13 +0000

I met my first wife when I was 17 on Gene Ledel Shows in 1980 at the Lea County Fair, Lovington, New Mexico. She worked the popper, and I was second man on the scooters. She was Cotton Candy Annie and I was Scooter Dave. Wrights Amusement is working that fair this year.

We had many adventures, and 2 daughters along the way. By the end of 1992, I ended up as the ride supervisor on Bill Dillard’s Expo, and she was managing the popper there.

After that last season, we left the road but continued in the business with ride repair and restoration, trailer/joint framing, and anything else we could find. My wife passed away 2 years ago this month.

Your story sounds so familiar to me, and I hope that you too have many good memories of your life on the road. I am getting myself ready to go back out next season, but will probably just be a fixit man since I have a bad back. A result of years of humping pig iron and getting old, ha ha!

Don’t give up on the site! This is a great idea you have here. Texas carnival shows are unique to the business, and I wouldn’t want to winter anywhere else than in my home state of Texas!

Scooter

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:08:17 +0000

Sorry I didn’t notice your comment sooner. I’ll keep a closer eye on comments from now on!

Yes, I had my baby in 2002. We recently celebrated her 7th birthday. I’ll have to get more details about your documentary. Sounds interesting.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:06:15 +0000

I agree that it’s hard work for low pay. And some shows aren’t as good as others. – Sounds like the one you were with worked you pretty hard.

I know I often worked more than full time for $200 – $250 per week. Then again, my expenses were also low and I LOVED meeting new people every week! It’s not for everyone. But it was for me a while back.

By: Darren Westenhaver

Darren Westenhaver — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:46:37 +0000

I am filming a documentary about carnies and your story is perfect. Could I come and film you and you boyfriend? Could I get the contact information for your boss? Carnies have facinated me for years which is why I am making this film.

Let me know if you are interested. Have you had your baby yet?

Thanks

Darren
512-633-9195

By: shawn

shawn — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:17:02 +0000

being a carnie is a joke you work 100 hrs a week for 225 thats if u get it stay away from century 21 shows