Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 14/99) - "Mom, dad, I'm going to go join the carnival."

For most parents, this is not the kind of statement they would ever want to hear uttered from the mouths of babes.

Historically, it is not a career choice that ever garnered much respect from society. When we think of carneys, we tend to automatically dismiss them as the quick-talking rabbler, enticing us to spend our hard- earned money on cheap trinkets and less-than-thrilling rides, before moving on down the road to the next town full of suckers.

North American culture is deeply imbedded with carnival folklore, yet the stigma of the carney character and lifestyle has changed little since gypsies began taking to the road in Europe during the Middle Ages.

"We take a lot of money from the places we visit but we leave a lot of money as well," said Judi Wagner, who married into the carnival business and now runs the M.F. Wagner Magical Midway with her husband Mark, and son, Justin -- the carnival that entertained Yellowknife over the weekend, July 8-11.

"Whenever we come to town, we end up spending a lot of money on gas, spare parts and food. The expenses of operating a carnival really add up."

According to Justin Wagner, who grew up with the carnival, the daily life of a carney is not for those who are looking for a cushy job.

"They're here at 11:00 a.m. and aren't usually done until midnight," Justin said. "They work two hours then take an hour off. It works out to about eight hours a day, but it's a long one."

As far as any unwholesome stereotypes that might be associated with being a carny goes, Judi Wagner dismisses them as unfair.

"It's not like they go off and run away with the carnival," Judi said.

"People learn something here, they're learning a trade.

"Because we are self- contained, carnies have to learn everything themselves. We have a guy who works with the generators. He learned it all here and then he went and got his electrical ticket. Now he's an electrician."

Wayne Beaudoin, a carney working the scatterball stand at the Midway, feels that the life they lead -- travelling and meeting new people -- is a great way to work off a summer.

"It's the bomb," Beaudoin said. "You get payed to travel Canada and meet lots of people. I can't believe they pay me to do this."

For Beaudoin, the charge of fixed games in carnivals is simply not true.

"All the games are legal," Beaudoin said, as carnival-goers lined up to his stand to test their luck. "If they weren't, then the cops would shut us down. It's all about skill."