Friday, March 29, 2024

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“Fun Factory” carnival museum

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The Conklin name has been synonymous with carnivals in Canada since 1924, but Hamilton and Brantford play a big part in the company’s history.

Adam Atkinson gives us a sneak peak at a new carnival museum in Brantford called the “Fun Factory”, that takes a look back at the history of the carnivals that people look forward to every year.

Carnivals in Canada date back to the early 1920’s, when J.W. Conklin and his family began working out west.

“He was a very special showman, well recognized and did the CNE for years.”

The Conklin and Garrett show began touring the country in 1924.

“Back then we moved by train and really the only people who got to visit the carnival had to be on a rail route.”

The carnival used to winter in Hamilton until moving to Brantford in 1938, making the telephone city also carnival central. Jim Conklin is creating the “Fun Factory”, a carnival museum in Brantford.

“A lot of the carnivals started in Brantford because of it’s central location, particularly rail because of it’s central location. Brantford was an ideal place to winter.”

The Fun Factory will be fully up and running in September, and will give people a look at how carnivals have changed over the years.

“Let people know what it was all about and generally how important the carnival was in the early days to entertain Canadians across Canada.”

The Fun Factory has an entertainment centre, a room for parties and a miniature theme park outside with a merry-go-round.

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