From an ex-showman POV
The wife and I recently went to the park 7/29/01 for the 1st time in years. I hadn't been there since 1995, and I must say that the park and it's employees have never been better. Speaking from personal experince, I must say that every employee I came across treated me with exceptional professionalism and courtesy, something I came to find few and far between on the carnival circuit. Even ops stuck on 'kiddie land' were friendly, even though I know most were going bonkers from hearing Hampton buzzers all day! (Been there done that!)
We were fortunate on our trip, as the crowds were light, and we managed to hit numerous rides over and over again with little to no wait, although we missed out on MF, since we decided to wait till evening, and a T-storm rolled in.
The only negative thing I could say about the park is that they removed too many pinabll machines from the arcade, being an old pinhead myself, which kinda bummed me out. But thats the sign of the times I reckon.
So I have lurked about, and read a great many posts from fans, ops, and the such, and I finally had to chime in with a post of my own. I envy reading of the exploits of the ride ops, and the fun they have running their rides. I never had the privelage to run a coaster, though I did setup and teardown a Zyklon (similar to the Wildcat) a few times on 1 show. Makes me miss my gravy-train (Gravitron) to death!
I remember when we used to play Fremont, OH for the Upper Sanduscky fair, we would tear down Sunday night in Flint, MI, haul*****to Fremont, OH to take showers and change clothes, them catch a nap before we snuck off to the Point on Monday morning to get our thrills in! (When you're a carnie, you tend to find that you need more than Tilt-A-Whirls and Gravitrons to satisfy your ride needs.)
Needless to say, all you ride ops out there do a good job. It takes alot to do the job you do, and thats without moving your ride every week or 2! (Though I'm sure it would be fun to move the Raptor!)
So, anyways, just wanted to say hi, the wife and I are planning on returning on 8/27 for another day of coastering, and perhaps we'll get the chance to meet some of you, and cut up some jackpots along the way! (Especially that Red Garter Rob(?) guy, he sounds like an interesting person with many stories to tell!)
Cya down the road,
Mickster
mickeyd@turnitupnow.com
'Showman wisdom dictates that you should be kind to your buddie's old lady, as she could be yours next week.'
-Natalie
MF crew 2001
*** This post was edited by Ride of Steel on 8/20/2001. ***
I may be there on the 27th seeing how I think that's Sabrina's last day and I'll probably get stuck on moving patrol that night.
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- Egg Whites -
MF total - 387 laps
VertiGo Launches - 17
June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
Come for Labor Day weekend or after though (with the exception of PPP weekend and Supermania! weekend) and I will be there.
-Natalie
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Gemini 100 - 35
Gemini 100 cheering section coordinator
*** This post was edited by Freaky on 8/20/2001. ***
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http://coolforce.cjb.net -{Where The Cool Stuff Goes 93MPH}-
'OMG Tommy you're obsessed!'
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