Carnies in Stitches

 

Tilt-A-Whirl

Coolest.Ride.Ever.

More images of it can be found here. 

Convoy Race

This kiddie ride consists of a few little trucks that move around a track with a little hill built in..
REAL trucks hurtling over mountain passes and cliffs to certain fiery death do not elicit the screams that this ride does.
And this is Susan. Her job? She said she tries to keep the hysteria to just below the boiling point. She stops the ride if it's too much for a kid or tries to keep the panic from moving from car to car. She has this very nice gentle nature and a southen accent that even calmed me down a little.

Rest After Working That 16 Hour Day?

Hell, no! It's time to break out the swords for a little swordplay. It's always fun until someone loses and eye!

(Note: no carnies were hurt in the photographing of this series) 

Carnie Barber

This is Matty getting the haircut. He runs the Skymaster and travels with his wife and kids with the show. The Clipper Dude's name is Martin. He's originally from Trinidad and has the cool accent and now living in Massachusetts.
Look, you are on the road, you don't know the town, you work 16 hours a day. Where are you going to get your hair cut? MasterCuts? They closed HOURS ago and they don't let you light up.
Martin did a decent job. I just got my Back to School haircut and it's got nothing on Matty's.

Stan's French Fries

 

The Pitch

The Jointees (Game workers) have the toughest gig in the show. People will line up for food and rides, but they need to be lured into playing the games. One said to me, "The ride jocks? Button pushers once the show starts. WE do all the work after set up."

Junky John

 

Carnie Profile: Joe

Say Hi to Joe. Joe nearly nipped this little project in the bud when during one of my very first attempts at pointing my camera at living subjects he immediately came over and told me "No cameras" and wanted to know what I was doing. I later found out he felt he was protecting his crews. Most of my images of him after that came at the end of a long telephoto lens.
He has yella eyes like a rabid dog, the strength of 10 men (Although I'm told it's kept deeply in reserve, very deep), he is quick to judge and fiercely loyal. He's also got a smile that STUNS you with it's brightness and quick display.
When I told him I was going to do a little post about him, I said "And guess what photo I'm going to use." and he immediately said "The hose." So he is also quite astute with all things 'art'.
The safest people on the Midway? Joe's little charges seen behind him. The second safest? You, once he decides he's got your back. 

The Night Rides

Zipper

Skymaster

Arctic Blast

AeroMax

Pharoah's Fury

Carousel

Freak Out

Freak Out

Skymaster

SeaDragon

Thunder Bolt

Cliff Hanger

Cyclone

Sir? Your Truck is Ready.

Can someone tell the guy who from the joints who claims to be Sadie's step dad that his truck is ready? Or rather the photos. He slipped me some money for them and between having it sandwiched between other trucks, constantly forgetting, then not seeing him, THEN missing a phone message, I never got them to him. But if one of you Gentle Carnies could let him know then have him email me I will send them out post haste because I don't want him coming after me. :)

This is a Large Format Eight by Ten Glass Slide Camera