Article By Jim Mosher - Interlake Spectator
WINNIPEG BEACH — Ken and Anita Kiernicki spend summers giving people a thrill. And they’re thrilled to do it.
The couple own Wonder Shows, a travelling midway that dazzles and delights tens of thousands of people each year. Whether it’s the Morden Corn and Apple Festival, Peguis Treaty Days, the Icelandic Festival or, as it was last weekend, Winnipeg Beach Boardwalk Days, the Kiernickis transport their about 20 rides to venues across the province.
Ken says he began working as a carnie when he was 12 years old. Now 46, Ken has logged hundreds of thousands of miles delivering constantly improving rides to people of all ages.
He would rise through the ranks to become manager of Winnipeg’s popular Tinker Town. He spent seven years overseeing that operation. He then spent nine years with another show. Then when Wonder Shows became available Ken and Anita took the plunge. That was 11 years ago. They haven’t looked back.
“I haven’t had one weekend off in my whole life,” Ken said. “I’ve given up all my summers. There’s no cottage or beach life for me.”
But he doesn’t miss what he’s lost. He embraces what he’s gained. “I’ve always wanted to go where the action is,” he said during an interview Saturday evening in the mobile home that serves as command centre for the show. “In the carnival, there’s always a lot of excitement and action. Having been involved with Tinker Town and now Wonder Shows — both very much family-oriented — we have changed the way of the carnies. Here we emphasize politeness. We emphasize to our staff that these people, our clients, are here to have a good time.”
“We like to think that we’ve turned a lot of staff into good people.”
Adds Anita: “They feel like they’re part of a family. They enjoy their summers with us — and they have pride in their work.”
When there are disciplinary problems, Anita, who runs the administrative and human relations part of the show, takes a staffer aside for a chat.
Ken is adamant it’s either shape up or ship out. Wonder Shows does not abide discourteous staff. Simple as that.
“I’ve got to have a lot of people skills,” said Anita.