rodler
  •  rodler
  • 76.1% (Friendly)
  • Ride Supervisor Topic Starter
Saturday, January 3, 2009 12:38:17 AM
As you hear many people say "those were the good old days" which years (50`s, 60`s, ect) do you consider to be the best years in the carnival industry?


RodB
bigjlh
Saturday, January 3, 2009 1:05:24 AM
BozoBob
Saturday, January 3, 2009 1:05:58 AM
squirrel
Saturday, January 3, 2009 3:48:40 AM
The late 90's for me. I hadn't been in the business long, but back then it seemed the midways were fuller (more attendance - better tips, etc...)

This is right about the time where the 'electronic baby-sitters' were becoming popular (I mean game-console systems) and we started losing the teenage crowds to computers and playstations instead of skill games and teddy bears for the love affairs...
Disney Fan
  •  rhino
  • 64.76% (Friendly)
  • Operations Foreman
Saturday, January 3, 2009 5:45:47 AM
The Reagan years !
Bowler Roller
Saturday, January 3, 2009 6:12:38 AM
The Reagan/Bush 1 years.
Every crowd has a silver lining - PT Barnum
Majestic Fan1982
Saturday, January 3, 2009 9:35:02 AM
As being a carnival fan, i have seen crowd numbers go down by the year of 2000 and up to now. Even some of the bigger fairs i am seeing way less teenagers. I think it is true that we are losing them due to they are addicted to computers, xbox games and other things.
Soda Guy
Saturday, January 3, 2009 10:22:57 AM
Years ago Glen Pulver told me that when a state starts selling lottery tickets is when the fairs and carnivals in that state will start seeing a slow down. Boy did he hit the nail on the head with that one. Next if you watch the video stores, a family can rent 5 movies for 5 dollars. They spend another 40 at the C-store for lottery and junk food. That is their weekend. So for me it would be the 80's before the movies at home, the play stations. Even local swimming pools are having decreased attendance. People won't leave their homes.
crny1234
  •  crny1234
  • 50.96% (Neutral)
  • Maintenance Supervisor
Saturday, January 3, 2009 12:23:47 PM
never had a bad day in the buisness,but some can be alot better..
"NOW MICHAEL," said the teacher to the agressive youngster," what do you think your classmates would think of you if you were always kind and polite?"
" they'd think they could beat me up!...

" GO YANKEES "
Jagger
  •  Jagger
  • 58.3% (Neutral)
  • Operations Foreman
Saturday, January 3, 2009 12:43:45 PM
flamo
  •  flamo
  • 87.94% (Honored)
  • Operations Foreman
Sunday, January 4, 2009 4:21:37 AM
60s to late 70s. Good money, good crowds, less regulation, better help, smaller shows. Less cut throat. Less dings

I'm there, Old, Tired, Broke and Henpecked
alibiguyny
Sunday, January 4, 2009 4:46:24 AM
any year you can make it home safe with a few dollars is a good year......
i dont smell em i just tell em......
john777
  •  john777
  • 67.28% (Friendly)
  • Ride Supervisor
Sunday, January 4, 2009 5:08:26 AM
when i was 21 it was a very good year
frank sinatra
with it and all for it
john 777

UserPostedImage
Sixcat
  •  Sixcat
  • 51.26% (Neutral)
  • Ride Supervisor
Sunday, January 4, 2009 7:11:24 AM
My best year was 1973. My next best year was 1992. I had many good years up to 2001. I think the business headed down with 9-11. Now I've had some good weeks since then and I'm not saying it was the fault of 9-11 that things started to go bad. No, I think that was about the time that fairs started to get greedy with the front gate. I read here that everything from video games to cell phones are to blame for less attendance at fairs. Not me. I believe it's high gates that are killing fairs. When it costs $10 or more to just to get in, their not coming back more then once if they come at all. Think $40 to $50 for a family of 4 just to get in the gate. And now, with the bad economy? forgetaboutit.
Sixcats have nine lives
SideWinder
Sunday, January 4, 2009 7:19:05 AM
Good thing the good times and great years are behind us because the next 4 years will be sooooo bad