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For him, every day is truly a carnival

By RITA FARLOW
Published November 8, 2006

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Rita Farlow] Corky Jones, 67, manager for W.G. Wade Shows of Aransas Pass, Texas, has worked in the carnival business for 50 years. The longtime carnie is in town this week for the St. Jude Cathedral School fall festival, which runs Thursday through Sunday.

During his five decades of managing carnivals and festivals, Corky Jones, 67, has seen his share of change in the industry.

Bearded ladies are a thing of the past. There's always a newer game or prize to offer. And the business draws fewer transient workers than it once did. On Monday, Jones, who works for W.G. Wade Shows in Aransas Pass, Texas, sat down with the Times to give a behind-the-scenes look at life as a carnie. Jones is in town for the St. Jude Cathedral School fall festival that begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.

How long have you been setting up carnivals?

We've been doing this all our lives. I was born and raised in this business.

Are you married?

We've been married 48 years. (Her name is Marilyn.)

How much time do you spend away from your home (in Aransas Pass, Texas) each year?

We're on the road anywhere from 10 to 11 months. We left home the fifth of January and haven't been home yet.

Where was your last gig?

The Flapjack Festival in Land O'Lakes. We closed there at 6 p.m. last night.

Is being a carnival worker a "calling"?

When you've done it as long as I have, and my wife has, it's kind of hard to leave it.

How many people does it take to set up a festival?

About 30 to 35 to run the operation. It just depends on the size of the show.

Where do you sleep when you're on the road?

Our trailer. We've got everything in it a house has. It's just compacted down, but we've got a washer and dryer, a garbage disposal, air conditioning, a TV, you name it.

What does it take to work for a carnival?

Just be a hard worker and want to learn and listen to the people that have been in the business for a long time.

Do you do background checks on your workers?

Yes, we have to for the insurance. And we drug test, too.

How tall is the Ferris wheel?

Probably about 65 feet in the air. The Mega Drop is about 125 feet high.

How long does it take to set up a festival?

It depends on how much time we have. Tear down is a lot faster than set up.

How long does tear down take?

If we close at 8 p.m., by daylight we'll be down.

What are some of the major changes you've witnessed over the years?

New merchandise, new games and rides, new prices.

Why don't carnivals have "freak shows" anymore?

You see a little bit of that now, but not as much anymore. Part of it is that people aren't as shocked by that as they used to be. Or some people get offended.

Do you ever get sick of the smell of cotton candy or funnel cake?

Sometimes. Some of the workers complain about the onions. You're out here 10 to 12 hours, cutting and frying onions. It can be kind of hard to get the smell out.

What's your most popular ride?

The Fireball and the Mega Drop.

What do you do on your day off?

Our day off is traveling to the next stop.

What's the best part of your job?

You meet a lot of people and you do a lot of traveling. We see a lot of the country.

What's the worst part?

Being away from home so much. We miss the kids and the grandkids.

[Last modified November 7, 2006, 21:07:26]