How the Carnies Control Parents’ Minds (or A Blue Ribbon Day at the Indiana State Fair)

Boarding the State Fair Train

For as long as I can remember, Ethan and I have enjoyed our adventures to large festival, fairs, and parades.  We love roaming the crowds, tasting the samples, riding the rides, and eating the foods you can only buy from booths on wheels.  

We’re a natural fit for the Indiana State Fair, which finished its 152nd run last week.  It was our third time at the Hoosier State’s version and our best yet.  It was so good, it took me a week to capture the story in a way that would do it justice.

We rode the State Fair Train from a nearby suburb all the way to the fairgrounds.  Taking the old passenger rail cars to and fro allowed us to hang out and enjoy the view of the passing neighborhoods.  Riding the train also put us in the position of not having the ability to leave on a whim – we were bound to a schedule with 1 hour and 15 minute intervals between departure times.  That actually helped us slow down and decide to take in the whole fair.

After eating our turkey leg, pulled pork, & fried mozzarella sticks, we headed to the Midway for some rides and games.  First up, the log ride.  Nice and refreshing.  Next up, Crazy Mouse. Then, bumper cars.

I had promised Ethan he could play a few of the carnival games on the Midway.  Ethan loves competition and I usually limit him to a couple games, given the poor odds of these games.  However, I wanted him to have the chance to try his skill this year.  (Plus, I was a bit more motivated by the fact Bryan Gray’s boy won a stuffed dog the day before we were there.)

We Have a Winner

In hindsight, I think the “carnies” are masters of human psychology.  Just think of the amazingly perfect convergence they have created – low buy-ins, shoddy first prizes, the ability to buy a couple more chances to get a better prize, a child’s desire to play and win, and a parent’s desire to see their child win.

We started with a simple basketball shooting game.  For just $1 per shot, you could win a prize.  It helped that the person working the booth was a younger woman who allowed Ethan to have an extra shot (or three).  After two bucks, he sunk a basket and won an inflatable bouncy ball.  But, another shot and he could trade up for an NFL football and a third made shot won a huge college logo ball.  I placed a $5 bill in her hand for more shots and Ethan walked away with a North Carolina Tar Heels huge ball.

As we were making our way off the Midway, I unwittingly walked into a “carnie” shark.  He promised my son would win at his game, as he gave the feigned look over the shoulder at some fictitious boss.  Ethan could have two darts for $5 to throw at balloons (or 6 for $10).  Two popped equals a prize.  Because the cool prize was a stuffed bear with a Colts jersey, I put the fiver in his hand.  Ethan did it and won another shoddy prize.  ”For just $5 more”, he whispered, “I’ll let you have three more darts and let you have the bear if he pops just two more.”  Deal.  And, Ethan came thru with two popped.

So after $17, we walked away with two big prizes.  Ethan was quite proud that he won the two prizes he wanted most.  Darn those carnies for figuring out how to part me from my money!  Hey, it was worth it.

What other places have figured out how to profit from the parental desire to see their kid win?