Alan Atchison, 18, spends his evenings at the carnival but he’s not there to ride the rides. He’s there to run the rides.
Atchison, who graduated from Northern Heights High School in May, runs the Ring of Fire ride. He’s been working with the carnival company, Evans Midland Empire Shows out of Lathrop, Mo., for three years. In the past, he’s traveled with the carnival company for half their route and is traveling to Emporia and Tonganoxie this year. Atchison said he had to work up in the ranks to be able to run The Ring of Fire. He started out on smaller rides such as the motorcycles and spider.
“You have to show you can handle it,” he said. “I’ve done several rides.”
Running a ride at the fair isn’t as easy as it seems. Atchison said there has to be a lot of independence, strength, people skills and patience.
“You have to have lots of patience,” he said.
Before riders are allowed on rides, the rides have to be checked, Atchison said. He said pins are checked, the fencing is checked and the appearance of the ride is checked. Before the ride starts, safety harnesses must be locked and in place and riders are checked for appropriate tickets or wristbands before being allowed to ride. The work doesn’t stop when the ride starts. Atchison said he is looking to make sure nobody is spitting and that nobody is getting too scared.
“I make sure it’s enjoyable for everybody,” he said.
Atchison is using some of the money to help fund his education at Emporia State University. He is majoring in criminal and developmental studies. He said he liked to watch shows such as CSI and Law and Order.
“I decided, ‘Why not pursue a career in it?’” he said.
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