What fairground enthusiast doesn’t dream of running or operating a fairground ride themselves?
Some have turned this dream into their profession.

Often, a ride (and its operation) is passed down from father to son. In the carnival world, we find many carnival families whose lives revolve entirely around the carnival. They often have a trailer that travels with them when they transport their ride to the carnival. The children of the family may even attend school in mobile carnival schools.

Running an amusement ride isn’t as simple as it seems. It’s a profession that shouldn’t be underestimated—it requires hard work and involves many tasks (setting up and taking down the ride, management, securing a location, advertising, maintenance, etc.).

The attraction is often the sole source of income for the operators, who work on a self-employed basis. That is why it is important that the attraction is cherished, that many people visit it, and that the continuation and future of these “family businesses” remain assured.

If you’ve mastered the craft but don’t yet have an attraction, you can buy one. You can either have a new one custom-built according to your own imagination and preferences, or choose a standard model, which you may or may not modify. These latter options can be quite expensive.

For those looking for a cheaper option, there are second-hand rides. These often look less pristine than new ones or have been in service for many years. But a fresh coat of paint and a drop of oil will likely make them look much better.

Well-known Flemish personality Axel Daeseleire did an interesting report on fairground life a while back, in the series ‘Axel gaat binnen…’. As I write this article, you can still watch the report on VTM GO. I’d say: hurry up, before it disappears again…