Midway Memories: Family

Far Guy spent every summer from when he was a little boy until he went into the United States Air Force in 1973 on the Carnival with his parents.

Far Guy with his parents and his sister

I am hopeful that I can explain how close knit that group of Carnies were.  I am not sure it was like that on all carnivals, but on Merriam’s Midway Shows it was.  Many kids were born and raised on the Midway.  Everyone watched out for everyone else especially the children. You might have had words with someone the day before but when it came down to it you had each others back and best interests at heart.  You were family.

The Merriam Family

Far Guy was stuck between two totally different cultures.  One with many freedoms and one with rules and structure.  He had to adjust to life at school after being gone all summer.  He couldn’t play football, practice started before he got home the day after Labor Day.  Many times he would come home without his parents to start school.  His sister being five years older often times stayed with a friend.   He was stuck with his Grandparents out on the farm, sweet old Hazel who always cooked him soup (which he hated) or Orville and Marge who wouldn’t let him leave their property.  It was a hard transition.  I was his first girlfriend to make it a whole summer without dumping him.

Often times Far Guy would come home in the Fall and have to immediately clear his name.  He would be accused of things that happened over the summer when he wasn’t even in the State.  One time, he just got home and was immediately questioned by the Cops about an incident that happened the week before.   People in the community especially teachers always expected the worst of him…it wasn’t fair. 

Howard T and his wife (Caramel Apples and Popcorn) and Oddie (Otis) S and his wife (Cotton Candy)
Carnival workers and ride boys influenced who he is today.  He learned many things from many people.

He would like to thank his parents, his sister, Ron Z, Al, Edna, Dale, Margaret, Dick S, Bob M, Bud K, Gene B, Donnie W, Brownie, Vickie P, Odie and Mrs Odie (Otis S), Berry’s, The Butlers, McMillens, Johnny M, Surbers,  Condifs, Howard and Marge K, Kenny Margie and Joey S, Jack T and Family, Belbens, Adrian and Gail, Bill and Helen, Paul and Sue, Russell, Marty, Roger K, Bobby A, Hubert and Lois, Shorty and Diana, Leo S, Bill S, Leon, Mickie L, Perkel, Curley, Hank J, Sam and Molly, Flossie, Littlewolfs, Wheel John, Bruce C, Paul H, Charlie and Helen, Jerry L and Wiletta, Cotton and Shirley, Jerry S, Mitch B, Bucky B, Freddie G, Billy G, Mike S, Red, George, TJ, Bubba, Limey, Randy, Larry L, Mike, Wierd Harold, The Kook (Bruce L), Eddie P, Stan R, Mac and Margaret, Indian John, Vern H, Virgil L, Roy N, Snowcone Pete, Dale H, Howard T and Mrs Howard T, Cowboy, Blackie, Whitey, Cherokee, Crazy Frank, Kelsey, Darrell and many others whose names have been forgotten over the years.

The show used to open every day with the music to “ Back In The Saddle Again” I will share the first verse.

I`m back in the saddle again
Out where a friend is a friend
Where the longhorn cattle feed
On the lowly gypsum weed
Back in the saddle again