For nearly a decade, Dan Bernard has eaten his lunch at the same spot while working at the Barrie Fair.
This is the last year the fair will be situated at the fairgrounds, as it will move to Essa Township for 2009. This change in venue prompted the carny to share some of the stories he has collected after several years of stopping here.
“There are kids I’ve seen who are getting piercings now or are on Facebook, and I’ve known them since they were just little,” said Bernard. He’s worked with Campbell Amusements for approximately seven years and does remember the regulars who stop to chat with him.
Over the years, the crowd hasn’t changed, he said.
The carnival job started on a whim as a part-time position.
“I did it for a week in Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) and I did it again the following year, and I got good enough working as a local that they asked me to pack up my stuff, fresh out of high school.”
He missed his family at first, but now his best friends work with the company, so his social life travels with him. Some families work together in the amusement business, with mom, dad and grown kids lending a hand, and travelling on the road.
It can be a fun job, but it depends on your own outlook, he said.
“It can get to you; it’s very repetitive – the same thing every week. The only thing that changes is the faces and the accents, or the language (when we’re in New Brunswick).”
One of the requirements is being a people person as Bernard spends 12 hours a day talking to visitors and enticing them to attempt to win prizes playing games. And he really meets all kinds of people.
“You’ll talk to the little kids and nice moms and dads, then get the drunk guy and the teens who try to lip off. I’ve got to get them all to like me. You’ve got to know how to deal with all types of people.”
The carny also sees all types of parents.
“I hate it when the kids want to try but the mom says they aren’t capable. I’ll give them a free try and if they miss, the mom says ‘I told you, you couldn’t do it’, but I’ll say ‘you gave it a good shot’. I hate it when people talk to their kids that way.”
Setting up for the fair is a lot of work, but it can be learned, said Bernard. There’s good money to be made, if you stick it out.
“Anyone who wants to work just has to walk up and ask for a job, and stay with it.”
When asked about safety regulations, he said, “Safety is the word of the day.
“With the inspections that we go through, they make sure everything is perfect.”
Each province has its own regulations, and Bernard said the company has to meet the standards in each area.
“Quebec has certain rules, with a different gaming licence, so there’s some games we don’t take out. There’s also a different food licence in each province.”
Bernard arrived in Barrie this week after a 24-hour drive from Charlottetown, P.E.I. “We drive for a few hours, then set up for the next day. After this, we’re off to Paris, then Cambridge.”
When asked about his free time, Bernard said he’s been busy all summer, but once the fall hits and kids go back to school, he doesn’t have to report for duty until around 4 p.m.
Time off in the summer is rare, as the job begins once all the games and rides arrive at the field, and Bernard’s shift ends at midnight when he’s working.
“My free time starts in October, when I pick a town, settle down and spend the money I’ve saved up.”
