Risk and reward

In 1969, Robert Mills quit his job as a police officer after purchasing three carnival rides and cotton candy and popcorn machines for $1,800.

“The wife, she cried all night long,” said the 81-year-old Manitoba native. “She said, ‘you crazy bugger, you spent $1,800 on this. You just quit the police department, a good-paying job. We might need that $1,800.’”

He told his wife they’d make it grow and 42 years later, Mills was on site at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds Monday as about 100 people set up more than 40 rides for Select Shows and Canuck Amusements in preparation for the annual fair.

“I had no idea about the carnival whatsoever,” he said. “I just learned, her and I, through it together.”

The timing was right for Mills as 1970 was Manitoba’s centennial and every town was looking to book a midway.

“We just mushroomed from there; now you can look around here and see what kind of equipment we got,” he said.

Mills ran Select Shows with his family until he was about 67.

He and his wife then sold the company to their two sons, Bob and Jim. Bob later branched out with Canuck Amusements and Jim stuck with Select Shows. But in larger venues, like Thunder Bay’s CLE, the two join forces.

Both companies travel through Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario, hiring locals in each town to help set up the rides and games.

Mills said in Thunder Bay they often have people show up at the CLE grounds each year looking for work.

“Every year we come, they are waiting for us,” he said. “It works out good.”

And although he’s retired, Mills still travels with his sons.

“My wife died in January, so there’s nothing for me at home,” he said. “I’m here with the two boys, the grandchildren and I enjoy it. It’s something that I created, put together, and I feel proud of my boys.”

The CLE begins Aug. 10 and runs through to Aug. 14. Advance tickets are available at any Metro store.