When the carnival at Matthews Alive opens on Friday afternoon, excited adults and children will bear witness to an exciting array of rides (13) and some very tasty food (5 in Stumptown Park and countless more in the near vicinity).
What they won’t see is the passionate dedication of the owners behind the rides, the number of their employees (18) who dedicated themselves to setting up the event and the many hours (30+) and days (4) it took to do so.
They also won’t see the day-long process of safety checks – inspection done by the North Carolina Department of Labor the day before the carnival opens nor the safety meeting also held with all the
employees prior to the opening day (an elaborate sheet of checks and the requirement to run all rides for three cycles).
To Bob and Bess Brinkley, of Brinkley Entertainment, Inc. (Walnut Cove, NC), this will be an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, a chance to show off their wares and will be another stop on the road to setting up and taking down the nearly 35 carnivals they present in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. each year.
For us this is taking something everyone thinks they might know about and have childhood memories of, and then (try to) do it better or different(ly),” says 60-year-old fourth-generation “carnie,” Bess. “The passion is to keep it as original and as better-than new,” echoes her husband, Bob.
Bess Brinkley of Brinkley Entertainment, Inc.
“For us this is taking something everyone thinks they might know about and have childhood memories of, and then (try to) do it better or different(ly),” says 60-year-old fourth-generation “carnie,” Bess. “The passion is to keep it as original and as better-than new,” echoes her husband, Bob.”
“My father said, ‘never put anything on a plate that you wouldn’t eat yourself,’ ” Bess says echoing his words of long ago, “If you won’t eat it, then don’t sell it.”
As their concessions are run as a separate arm of the company, the Brinkleys will offer homemade (and secret) family recipes: fresh lemonade, funnel cakes, caramel popcorn, corn dogs and deep fried Oreos. Missing will be other goodies they’ve pioneered and sell at other carnivals such as pumpkin pie shake and candied apples with raspberries and sugar coating. (Years, ago, Bess was the first person to offer turkey legs at any carnival in North Carolina). “My father said, ‘never put anything on a plate that you wouldn’t eat yourself,’ ” Bess says echoing his words of long ago, “If you won’t eat it, then don’t sell it.”
On the ride-side, they will offer the unique Hog Drop ride (formerly Roll-a-Plane) and proudly present their refurbished vintage Ferris Wheel, the second of the trailer-mounted Wheels ever built by the pre-eminent company, Eli Bridge.
Bobbie’s touch and nod to present day? The LED lights surrounding it.
Behind the scenes remain dedicated employees, many of whom have been with them for up to 25 years – their “family,” as Bess calls them, while recounting stories of traveling with numerous members of extended families year after year. (A childless couple, the Brinkleys have taken dozens of employees and their families under their wing.)
“My people do this (work) because they want to,” she says, adding that she works hard to present a quality carnival experience devoid of the oft-known criticism of “carnie” employees as being the underbelly of society. “Carnival-goers are surprised at how well they are treated and how respectful to people they are.”
The hard working crew that makes sure the Matthews Alive carnival rides are safe and fun
The recipients of numerous national awards (including Vendor of the Year Award), the Brinkleys say they pride themselves on a stringent work ethic, dedication to excellence and pride in presentation. (Bobbie is past president of the NC Association of Fairs and Events and a certified ride inspector through the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials.)
“We are in the entertainment business - the outdoor amusement business, says Bess. “Yes, we’re a “carnie” business, but not as in a cuss word. My people work really hard. This is a business and we are trying to do the best thing for our people. We’ve tried to take what’s been handed down to me and make it better for (both) our employees and for people who come to the event.”
“We are in the entertainment business - the outdoor amusement business, says Bess. “Yes, we’re a “carnie” business, but not as in a cuss word. My people work really hard. This is a business and we are trying to do the best thing for our people. We’ve tried to take what’s been handed down to me and make it better for (both) our employees and for people who come to the event.”
