I did this for a total 13 yrs for B&B Ride Co. Started at 15 during the summer. It was great and the owners treated us good and like their own family. Stayed with them til the owner passed and his son didn't want the business. I started and ended with them. Now I'm 49, have a 7 year old and 3 dogs. Now looking back it probably wasn't the best for me in the way of success (Wish I would have done something different then) but it was fun though. Fun Fact. I was a skinny kid and they said I wouldn't make it past 2 weeks. I outlasted all of them cuz they couldn't do the work and some were real big guys,... Doesn't sound like something to brag about though. It's not a bad life but not much in it for security for later in life.
Shawn: Appreciate what you're saying: I wouldn't last two weeks on any carnival or circus. I'm too much of a hit-and-run guy who enjoys moving frequently to capture the circus/carnival culture on video. Here's the link to my latest RUclips video on Circus Spectacular at the Indiana State Fair ruclips.net/video/xzpfSlLXJ2w/видео.html Life on the road definitely has its appeal, one that's hard to break...
Retired Navy, didn't have no where to go, joined as a carny, and my mechanic skills made me feel right at home! Spent ten years with them. Between navy pay, saved up carny pay, bought a suv, travel on my own! Good life, good woman! Stay away from drug scene, drama, be the nice guy, but don't be a pushover either. Never ever loan money!
Thanks so much for sharing the stories of these hardworking people. I think this manual labor force is an invisible community that needs more recognition. And the man was right, there is a lot of push to go to more computerized and/or sit down jobs. But we will always need labor. I am a factory worker myself and I know how tough it can be. But you carnival operators also have a hard job. I salute you!
"It's in the blood." is a very true statement! When I was fifteen, I went to the carnival that my church was throwing for their heritage festival, and I remember deciding there and then that I wanted to be a carny. Three years later, I learned who my biological father was and that he had been working for the carnival since he was fifteen years old. Not to mention, I finally learned the story of how I was conceived...and it wasn't in any traditional way, even in the backseat of a car was more traditional than on a carnival coaster LOL!
It all depends on which show you work for. Some shows cannot keep help because of their pay and pay practices. Some show owners think that they aren’t required to obey labor laws. Many are reluctant to realize this is not the 60’s. I have personally witnessed employees being told, we can’t pay you tonight we didn’t make enough money this week you will have to wait till Saturday. That really does not sit well. Amazingly enough when the employees said then we won’t work until Saturday all of a sudden they were paid within 2 hours.
If these guys do whats right, put it together by the book with the safety of the kids in mind then you have my total respect. Carnies created some great memories and for that I thank them.
The Operations Director was right. People always want to sit on their lazy butts and earn money. As soon as they have to carry something heavy or mop a floor, they want the whole world to know about it! (4:14)
I started working in the traveling amusement industry since the mid 90’s and finally hung my hat around 2014. I started in kiddie land and worked my way up to the major rides to working in the joints to maintenance of the midway to being a game supervisor to running a concession stand. I even bought my own game booth and had hired people to operate it during certain spots. The years of experience I had and the amount of time on the road traveling from town to town every year seeing the same kids grow up was tiring after awhile. I had some of the best years and worst years of my life being a Carnie. I sure do miss it but IDK if I’d ever go back to that lifestyle.
Manual labor jobs don't get nearly as much pay as they should. But that laid-off construction worker seemed to be satisfied. I wonder how much of a pay cut he experienced?
@@riprincejr Early 60's was 16, ran fun house, kid rides for Century 21, and bumper cars for Olson Shows. Olson still traveled by rail. As I recall, it was around $25 a week.
The American fairgrounds are so much easier than the ones In the UK. Over here we lift a lot heavier things and our rides take much longer to set up. Also the showman over here are very very strict. Also the rides in the America have nooooo atmosphere.
I totally agree with your assessment on ride atmosphere. When I was in Hoorn, Netherlands, last August, I noticed that most of the kermis rides, games and food booths were very attractive. and I attribute that to the fact that most of these are individually or family owned. In the latter part of the 1900s, European-manufactured rides displaced most of the back-end shows, like sideshows. As one American sideshow owner pointed out, carnival owners could get three major rides into the same 90-foot front required by the a 10-in-1 show. Of course, there are pluses and minuses to both European and American fair traditions as far as carnival rides and games are concerned. Thanks for your observations. Where are you based? (I've lived in Stratford, CT, near the Long Island Sound, for the past 10 years.)
This may be my future. I've always wanted to be a ride operator and I hate computers because they constantly change format and I seem to end up serving them rather than them serve me. I'm Autistic and the rigidness of computers and having to do things in one way only is not good for neurodiversity. The computer demands information from me blindly and after I give it everything it wants it may OR MAY NOT do what I want. At least rides they set-up the same and tear-down the same every time so I know what to expect. Plus all of the visual stims and a subculture to belong to interests me.
I have always secretly wanted to travel with a carnival. Maybe just for a summer if I could manage it. I'd love that inside perspective. I think I'd make a good barker!
I swear to my yes this is not a lie. My uncle owns a ride and I tore it down before My grandmother also owns concession stands on wheels that travel with the carnival I am only nine years old and I live this crazy lifestyle. Not to Crazy more fun than sitting around and playing video games for the summer
Didnt think at 26 still possible to contimplate running away to the carnival 😂😂😂 Im not going to, but boy oh boy if i find myself in a situation. I know what im doing.
Cool vid! I've a lot of respect for these folks....the comment the one guy said about comparing it to the military....I believe it...just one shooting at you....most of the time.
I so wanted to become a traveling carnival worker when I was younger. But I'm 40 now, and those days are far behind me. I'm afraid 40 is too old to become a traveling carnival worker now. That's for the teenagers and twentysomethings.
I'm an electrician and I would love to work for a carnival I've had jobs traveling like that before and I really liked it the problem was I was 20 years old at the time and I kept getting home sick now I'm 42 my life's a little different right now I'm traveling and not getting paid for it LOL
Been there, done that - For a short time. Ran with Skerbeck Bros. Shows for a season probably 30 year ago now, and lived under the high side of the Tilt-a-Whirl - until we got hit with a rainstorm that put the entire lot under 6 inches of water. Less than a week later, I had the back of the Jenny (Merry-go-round for the rubes) truck set up as a reasonably decent "apartment" for the rest of the season. Once the canvas, scenery, and the horses were out, I could drop a couple hinged-to-the-wall chunks of plywood "Murphy-bed" style to cover up (there were unavoidable globs of grease on every one of them, and there were so many that there simply wasn't a flat spot that could be used) and level out the posts the horses/poles connected to for transport, and have a decent floor to put my air mattress down on. Come teardown night, had to pack my sleeping gear into the space behind the seat, and fold the plywood back up against the walls to make room for the ride, but aside from that...
I once tried to get a job working rides at a carnival but sadly the boss said because i was a women i couldn't do the job but in this video there happens to be a female worker working on a ride near the end
I worked for this show couple years ago. I was a ride jock. I took down rides n put them up. It was fun. And I was only girl putting them up n taking the rides down
Never worked at a fair before and never operated a ride before as well and judging how the controls r it might be easy to do it the only thing though is that I don’t drive or know what I need to do in order to do this sort of job
Pffft. "It's in the blood". "People don't do manual labor". BULLSHIT. Anyone who doesn't pay likes to say that "it's like family". You don't pay your mom for cooking every day, huh?
Understand your skepticism, having interviewed both carnival (and circus) owners and working guys and gals. I quite frequently hear "it's in the blood" and similar responses from show folks at all levels of the business as I've interviewed them on lots across the country, especially those veterans who do the lowest-paying jobs. Frankly, I wouldn't last a week--I know my limitations. Here's a link to my latest RUclips video on the Indiana State Fair circus in which people express their passion for what they do. ruclips.net/video/xzpfSlLXJ2w/видео.html Thanks for your comments.
Aw man, that would be scary. But I guess the rides have to come down regardless right? Otherwise their might be rusting issues down the line. Also, if a ride go struck by lightning it would probably cause a lot of damage so they probably have to keep a close eye on the weather and make sure they take things down before it gets bad.
![Gucci Mane & Sexyy Red - You Don't Love Me [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/j7IBqyFKT4c/mqdefault.jpg)
Well, a big 'Thank You' to all those carnival workers!! You helped bring a lot of fun into peoples lives!!
here! here! some of the toughest jobs go unnoticed.
I did this for a total 13 yrs for B&B Ride Co. Started at 15 during the summer. It was great and the owners treated us good and like their own family. Stayed with them til the owner passed and his son didn't want the business. I started and ended with them. Now I'm 49, have a 7 year old and 3 dogs. Now looking back it probably wasn't the best for me in the way of success (Wish I would have done something different then) but it was fun though. Fun Fact. I was a skinny kid and they said I wouldn't make it past 2 weeks. I outlasted all of them cuz they couldn't do the work and some were real big guys,... Doesn't sound like something to brag about though. It's not a bad life but not much in it for security for later in life.
Shawn: Appreciate what you're saying: I wouldn't last two weeks on any carnival or circus. I'm too much of a hit-and-run guy who enjoys moving frequently to capture the circus/carnival culture on video. Here's the link to my latest RUclips video on Circus Spectacular at the Indiana State Fair ruclips.net/video/xzpfSlLXJ2w/видео.html
Life on the road definitely has its appeal, one that's hard to break...
Retired Navy, didn't have no where to go, joined as a carny, and my mechanic skills made me feel right at home! Spent ten years with them. Between navy pay, saved up carny pay, bought a suv, travel on my own! Good life, good woman! Stay away from drug scene, drama, be the nice guy, but don't be a pushover either. Never ever loan money!
Thanks so much for sharing the stories of these hardworking people. I think this manual labor force is an invisible community that needs more recognition.
And the man was right, there is a lot of push to go to more computerized and/or sit down jobs. But we will always need labor. I am a factory worker myself and I know how tough it can be. But you carnival operators also have a hard job. I salute you!
I did this for 7 years. Lot of fun. A whole lot more work. And don't get me started on the drama...
"It's in the blood." is a very true statement! When I was fifteen, I went to the carnival that my church was throwing for their heritage festival, and I remember deciding there and then that I wanted to be a carny. Three years later, I learned who my biological father was and that he had been working for the carnival since he was fifteen years old. Not to mention, I finally learned the story of how I was conceived...and it wasn't in any traditional way, even in the backseat of a car was more traditional than on a carnival coaster LOL!
It all depends on which show you work for. Some shows cannot keep help because of their pay and pay practices. Some show owners think that they aren’t required to obey labor laws. Many are reluctant to realize this is not the 60’s. I have personally witnessed employees being told, we can’t pay you tonight we didn’t make enough money this week you will have to wait till Saturday. That really does not sit well. Amazingly enough when the employees said then we won’t work until Saturday all of a sudden they were paid within 2 hours.
If these guys do whats right, put it together by the book with the safety of the kids in mind then you have my total respect. Carnies created some great memories and for that I thank them.
The Operations Director was right. People always want to sit on their lazy butts and earn money. As soon as they have to carry something heavy or mop a floor, they want the whole world to know about it! (4:14)
And females. I worked for carnival for 20+ years worked on the rides setup, teardown, and operater. We are FAMILY. Its in my blood my life and love it
I use to work for the carnivals for 20+ years. I help setup teardowns and operate the ride's. I loved it. Im retired now. And im a female
I started working in the traveling amusement industry since the mid 90’s and finally hung my hat around 2014. I started in kiddie land and worked my way up to the major rides to working in the joints to maintenance of the midway to being a game supervisor to running a concession stand. I even bought my own game booth and had hired people to operate it during certain spots. The years of experience I had and the amount of time on the road traveling from town to town every year seeing the same kids grow up was tiring after awhile. I had some of the best years and worst years of my life being a Carnie. I sure do miss it but IDK if I’d ever go back to that lifestyle.
Thanks for sharing your story. I just got back from the local fair and was thinking about what an interesting life these carnival workers must have.
As much as people make jokes, this actually looks like some ass busting hard work. Definitely not a joke. How much money do they make?
Google censors conservatives I looked and it said 20,000 a year
Manual labor jobs don't get nearly as much pay as they should. But that laid-off construction worker seemed to be satisfied. I wonder how much of a pay cut he experienced?
The average ride position pays from 250 to 450 per week depending on the show and the ride worked.
@@riprincejr Early 60's was 16, ran fun house, kid rides for Century 21, and bumper cars for Olson Shows. Olson still traveled by rail. As I recall, it was around $25 a week.
@@garyclark6281 now Strates is the last show to travel by road
I worked at the carnival last night and it was fun. The topic came up about me traveling with them. I'm going to do it.
Make sure the don’t rip you off because they WILL try. Experience speaking 😉
Born and raised in the carnival business 5 generations the best family business ever
The American fairgrounds are so much easier than the ones In the UK. Over here we lift a lot heavier things and our rides take much longer to set up. Also the showman over here are very very strict. Also the rides in the America have nooooo atmosphere.
I totally agree with your assessment on ride atmosphere. When I was in Hoorn, Netherlands, last August, I noticed that most of the kermis rides, games and food booths were very attractive. and I attribute that to the fact that most of these are individually or family owned. In the latter part of the 1900s, European-manufactured rides displaced most of the back-end shows, like sideshows. As one American sideshow owner pointed out, carnival owners could get three major rides into the same 90-foot front required by the a 10-in-1 show. Of course, there are pluses and minuses to both European and American fair traditions as far as carnival rides and games are concerned. Thanks for your observations. Where are you based? (I've lived in Stratford, CT, near the Long Island Sound, for the past 10 years.)
This may be my future. I've always wanted to be a ride operator and I hate computers because they constantly change format and I seem to end up serving them rather than them serve me. I'm Autistic and the rigidness of computers and having to do things in one way only is not good for neurodiversity. The computer demands information from me blindly and after I give it everything it wants it may OR MAY NOT do what I want. At least rides they set-up the same and tear-down the same every time so I know what to expect. Plus all of the visual stims and a subculture to belong to interests me.
the guy who works at the star ship i see every time i go on
How does one find/locate a job doing this? Just go to a local Carnival and ask?
I have always secretly wanted to travel with a carnival. Maybe just for a summer if I could manage it. I'd love that inside perspective. I think I'd make a good barker!
No barkers anymore...the big back end shows are a thing of the past. Now it's all recorded or non-existent.
Whammytap i did it it was a blast but I ran rides
I was just going to do it for a season as well... That was four years ago. lol
I swear to my yes this is not a lie. My uncle owns a ride and I tore it down before
My grandmother also owns concession stands on wheels that travel with the carnival I am only nine years old and I live this crazy lifestyle. Not to Crazy more fun than sitting around and playing video games for the summer
Ha! Love it or leave it! Great video :)
I miss the road, Powers midway so on other shows. We are family who put show one!
I enjoyed my time with a show
Wow really. You are female by the looks of your name. Can you share a little of your experience as a lady carnival worker with us. I'm intrigued.
Didnt think at 26 still possible to contimplate running away to the carnival 😂😂😂
Im not going to, but boy oh boy if i find myself in a situation. I know what im doing.
Thinking about it at 52 🤔
Don't do it, it's an awful way to live
what if you're not able to lift all the heavy shit is there other stuff you can do
Blow up and tie balloons I guess ! LOL !
From someone who is a carnie you learn or go work in food or at games
pull pins r keys wrap up canvas undo lead pick up small bars wood
Cool vid! I've a lot of respect for these folks....the comment the one guy said about comparing it to the military....I believe it...just one shooting at you....most of the time.
I so wanted to become a traveling carnival worker when I was younger.
But I'm 40 now, and those days are far behind me.
I'm afraid 40 is too old to become a traveling carnival worker now.
That's for the teenagers and twentysomethings.
I'm 64 and work all summer as a ride operator and there's even a 80 year old guy there. It's never too late!
@@LawnBunny777There's no way an 80 year old can do this job without getting hurt.
I'm an electrician and I would love to work for a carnival I've had jobs traveling like that before and I really liked it the problem was I was 20 years old at the time and I kept getting home sick now I'm 42 my life's a little different right now I'm traveling and not getting paid for it LOL
Do “you guys” like to be called Carnies?
Good question....
I've heard that some take it as an insult, like calling an Asian person oriental. Showperson is the preferred PC term.
i 💘 to work on the rides
I'm going to work do carnival's next year
help me out to find a job on a ride
Super interesting thanks! 👌
Wow. Carnival days!
I live under the rides.
Been there, done that - For a short time. Ran with Skerbeck Bros. Shows for a season probably 30 year ago now, and lived under the high side of the Tilt-a-Whirl - until we got hit with a rainstorm that put the entire lot under 6 inches of water. Less than a week later, I had the back of the Jenny (Merry-go-round for the rubes) truck set up as a reasonably decent "apartment" for the rest of the season. Once the canvas, scenery, and the horses were out, I could drop a couple hinged-to-the-wall chunks of plywood "Murphy-bed" style to cover up (there were unavoidable globs of grease on every one of them, and there were so many that there simply wasn't a flat spot that could be used) and level out the posts the horses/poles connected to for transport, and have a decent floor to put my air mattress down on. Come teardown night, had to pack my sleeping gear into the space behind the seat, and fold the plywood back up against the walls to make room for the ride, but aside from that...
I remember my days with the show
I just want to say.
Thank you :)
Lived the carnie life
Hire me!!
So do they give you some training if you aren't really mechanically inclined
what is the pay like
0:54 I love that ride 🥰
My father owns Stewart amusement I know all about it
huh, interesting.
How hard is it for a Canadian to get on. I'm a truck driver ride operator.
Easy I'm still a carnie live in Newengland its a blast
I once tried to get a job working rides at a carnival but sadly the boss said because i was a women i couldn't do the job but in this video there happens to be a female worker working on a ride near the end
I worked for this show couple years ago. I was a ride jock. I took down rides n put them up. It was fun. And I was only girl putting them up n taking the rides down
This is 100% what I thought carnies looked like.
Yep, just your everyday average joe
Never worked at a fair before and never operated a ride before as well and judging how the controls r it might be easy to do it the only thing though is that I don’t drive or know what I need to do in order to do this sort of job
Pffft. "It's in the blood". "People don't do manual labor". BULLSHIT. Anyone who doesn't pay likes to say that "it's like family". You don't pay your mom for cooking every day, huh?
Understand your skepticism, having interviewed both carnival (and circus) owners and working guys and gals. I quite frequently hear "it's in the blood" and similar responses from show folks at all levels of the business as I've interviewed them on lots across the country, especially those veterans who do the lowest-paying jobs. Frankly, I wouldn't last a week--I know my limitations. Here's a link to my latest RUclips video on the Indiana State Fair circus in which people express their passion for what they do. ruclips.net/video/xzpfSlLXJ2w/видео.html
Thanks for your comments.
Yes
Do they setup/teardown in a thunderstorm?
Aw man, that would be scary. But I guess the rides have to come down regardless right? Otherwise their might be rusting issues down the line. Also, if a ride go struck by lightning it would probably cause a lot of damage so they probably have to keep a close eye on the weather and make sure they take things down before it gets bad.
Yes, Weather doesn't matter. You teardown sunday night then start setting up on monday in the next town.
Hire me
Wow construction concrete to a carnival job. Lmao
Luehers bill hammes showes
I want a Carney boyfriend
ARE YOU AN IDIOT?