Laney College Carnival

Time: 12:13pm/61°F mostly sunny
Purpose: I went to this carnival when I was in diapers back in the days. Thought I’ve seen it all. That is until I went to Great America. All my days of this place has been erase out of my mind. Saw it again driving by and got curious.
Set-​up: Pop up carnival with trucks and trailers bringing in the rides, concession stands, porta potties. It’s a annual event leading up to Easter weekend for the kids to on spring break. Good location as you can see it when you drive by either direction on 880 freeway or local streets.
Staff: Most owner/​operator of this event looks like they’re always on the road. Their home and business is always with them, its their livelihood as they travel a lot. They’re usually your typical American, heavy smoker with gruffy look. Men and women doesn’t matter they’re all together in this operation. Walkingth they would try to lure you to their game with saying look how easy this is method? Yea, easy for you probably been practing ball-​basket since childhood. How fair is that? I know, I know its a game of chance like gambling.
Cleanliness: Grade C, even when there are portable trash cans and maintenance staffs out in force. Place is still not as clean. Food wrappers, napkins, corn dog sticks, cigarette packages/​boxes, popcorns, half eaten container of food etc.
Plays: Dart n balloon 3 darts-​$ 1/​pop all three balloons won stuffed a bracelet, softball toss in fruit basket one ball per try $ 1/​lost, tic-​tac-​toe 3 balls $ 1/​lost, gold fish 8 balls/​$ 2 lost, horse racing pinball lost.
Eats/​Drinks: Didn’t eat or drink anything. Most are process with artificial flavorings. When I was a kid yes, I would’ve grab a bite or so. Now a day wouldn’t touch it, even if you treat me. Must remember this though, I’m a experience foodie now! Lol!
Products/​Services: Carnival rides, concession stands, porta potty, security with metal detector wands, cost to enter $ 2 person, ride tickets $ 1ea/​25 for $ ²³⁄₈₀ for $ 70, gated secure perimeter, no seating, no in/​out privileges, kids 5 and under free. No refunds even due to weather.
Punch Lines: Annual event, cost for entry, no healthier alternative eats, dime a dozen prizes, ride quantity discounts, plenty of parking (unsecured), security posted at entry/​exit points, 10 minutes from Bart, freeway on/​off ramp within minutes, industrial area, operated day/​night.
Tradeoffs: Almost identical to other amusement carnivals except this is a traveling with team event. Not a permanent location moves around a lot so, prices are higher to improvise for the cost of traveling cost like gas, food, shelter, personal needs etc.
Final Thoughts: The goldfish game never seems to amaze me. Here’s why? That game involves light table tennis balls thrown or toss on small fish bowls. Where ever it lands no one knows, if you manage to land one in color dye bowl you get that goldfish. However, I notice one thing that this game is always separated from other games. Canopy style with no back board or barrier, wind blowing really hard. For some reason they told this kid tossing balls to stand in path against the wind. Go figure! You got the picture here, I hope!