According to the Showman's Guild of Australia, there are more than 700 agricultural shows held each year in Australia.People who own and operate rides in sideshow alley are known as 'showmen' or 'showies', never 'carnies'Up to 400 show families travel around, following the show circuit
It is estimated that showies pump more than $1 billion a year into the rural communities they visit across Australia.Jessie McDonald is a fifth-generation showie whose family started running amusements back in 1917."Then it was done on the trains and railways. Now we have trucks and caravans." Even though Dagwood Dogs can now be bought at fish and chip shops and service stations, Mr McDonald said that these were not the same as show dogs.
"Nowadays our kids have the option of either going to university, working in the family business or doing whatever they choose."I would like see the family business continue but, if they want to leave and become a doctor, I won't stop them."Jamie Pickett is another long-term showie whose grandfather started selling soft toys to other traveling showies.
"The legislation states that we have to have an independent engineer inspect our rides at least once a year," he said. "What a lot of people don't realise is that Australia is the only country in the world that sells showbags," Mr Richards said.
Carnies
Nup, they’re carnies. Traveling scammers. I can’t believe they’re allowed to continue to trade.
Small hands, smell like cabbage.
What’s a showie?