A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

that is neat Ali sounds like you have it all planned!!!
one thought on keeping track of gifts....I do a list of ideas on my computer for Christmas ideas and this year adding birthday ideas and have been known to misplace the gifts after getting them ....so this year when I picked up a couple of things for one of the daughters put where I stashed it so I know where to look for it....patted my self on the back for that idea! and it may work for you
sheila

I really hope this works out for you. Not much scares me, but working at a Carnival would give me pause. I've always felt they were a rough lot. Please prove me wrong...I'd love to be wrong. We will all be waiting to hear how it is. Is it seasonal? If so you could maybe get in on the Fireworks, Pumpkins and Christmas Tree circuit. I have friends who did that and they made a lot of money.

Sparkle wrote:I really hope this works out for you. Not much scares me, but working at a Carnival would give me pause. I've always felt they were a rough lot. Please prove me wrong...I'd love to be wrong. We will all be waiting to hear how it is. Is it seasonal? If so you could maybe get in on the Fireworks, Pumpkins and Christmas Tree circuit. I have friends who did that and they made a lot of money.

Jean, for the most part they're just folks like you and me just trying to make a living. Many of them are families with children that are home schooled. Many many years ago, yes it was pretty rough, but as with everything else in our world they've changed. They pretty much don't hire bums anymore, and you have to have references to get hired. Ron is going to be working his butt off, long hard hours. Tear down the rides and tents, load everything, drive to the next gig, start setting up as soon as you get there to get ready to open for the show. It's a hard life, but a lot of folks love it. Used to be a lot of the folks couldn't afford a trailer or motel, so they lived on the show lot in the truck trailers and washed whereever they could, but for the most part now everyone has somewhere to stay. It's like a little campground. I did it for one season and loved it, but sure wouldn't want to do it now! They'll be fine, and might even enjoy it.

You sound very well organized for this new adventure! May God bless you along the way.

Thanks Sharon for the update on Carnivals. Probably the last one I was at was in Scotland and they hired the scum of the earth. That was what I was visualising. I feel mo bettah now.

When the carnival comes to your town for Harvest Days I see many really nice RVs parked along with the semi tractors/trailers. Whenever that carnival comes or the county fair carnival, they post jobs in the paper so I know allot of the working folks are locals. I would imagine that there may be some that are suspect but it's like anything else. Just watch yourself, be aware.

The quality of the carnival employees have improved greatly over the years.
I do know the company Ali and Ron are going to work for...requires references, back ground checks, drug testing, etc.

They even have dress codes and grooming standards. Ron has to shave his beard and be clean shaven. I wonder if he has shaved it off yet...I bet he waits til the last minute.

It will be different seeing him without one.

Last minutes thoughts on full-timing...i have no idea. LOL

I do agree with going to the paper plate route. Heck I do that now...mostly because I want to enjoy camping not spend the time doing the dishes.

Kristy

You may have listed the cities the carnival will be in. If so, I missed it. If you are in the Vancouver/Ridgefield (Clark County) area let me know and I'll try to stop by for a "howdy"!

I'll let you know that you will more than likely be parked in the grass at the fairgrounds campground, if you go into the fairgrounds office tell Vicki Jenny & Dan Sheppard said hello! I used to be the camp host there in the campground the first year we went fulltime and turned in the camp fees to her. Our house was 2 miles away up the hill from the hospital across from the fairgrounds. I have gone to the fair since I was a little girl. The last few years they changed the fairgrounds around and made it much nicer but seemed they made the campground smaller. Quaint little town and you'll hear the trains coming through the town. I usually go to the fair in Sept. During the fairs only the vendors and carnival people and some of the fair people get to stay in the campground. I stay at the Elks club over by main street heading towards Sumner.
When you are not working go over to Van Lierops Bulb Farm 13407 80th st. E Puyallup to see the beautiful tulips in bloom...a photographer's paradise!!!
Shopping is close by the fairgrounds ( Safeway)and I love eating at Cattins restaurant on the corner by the Gold gate.