A 'genuine' good time at fair carnival

From left, Jason Williams, Shane Gardner and Bo Sopa begin setting up for the Bedford County Fair's carnival. Geren Carnivals has a crew of about 30, with a few crew members being local. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"We do a lot of fairs," said Joanna. "And this fair is a genuine fair. Nowadays, you can't get people to participate in the exhibits ... all it is a carnival behind a fence. I truly enjoy coming here because it's like (a fair) is supposed to be. The townspeople really participate."

Jerry Geren, of Valdosta, Ga., is a fourth generation operator of Geren Carnivals.

"This is all my husband has ever done," said Joanna, who travels with her husband to fairs and carnivals across the Southeast to provide the 'ride' element of many fairs each year.

On Monday afternoon, Geren's crews contended with temperatures that reached triple digits as they began setting up classic rides like the Zipper at the Bedford County Agricultural Center. The fair, which runs through Saturday, features a carnival, beginning today.

It took the Gerens and their crew of about 30 about three days to get all their rides moved onto the fairgrounds. They had been in Gadsden, Ala., 140 miles away, prior to coming to Shelbyville.

It's a process they're used to.

"We travel in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky," said Joanna, noting they're on the road from April 1 through November. "We have to get home to eat turkey!"

They've been coming to Shelbyville for about four years, and say they are used to the extreme temperatures.

"The heat is always a factor, but so is the rain," said Joanna, who said the Gerens meet with their crews daily to discuss the safety. "The main thing is keeping the rides well-maintained and safe."

When you live much of the year on the road, as the Gerens do, relationships become important, said Joanna.

"You really get to know some of the people who come year after year," said Joanna. "At some fairs, the same people come out every night."

Jerry and Joanna Geren are owners of Geren Carnivals, the company which has been providing rides at the fair for the past four years. The carnival opens tonight at 6. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Joanna says she can remember one family in Iowa from many years ago who brought their 3-year-old daughter to the fair. They got to know each other, and that '3-year-old' daughter is now getting married -- the Gerens just received an invitation to the wedding.

While they're in the carnival business, Joanna said she thoroughly enjoys the exhibition portion of a fair, and her family doesn't miss an opportunity to take delight in these. Last year, her granddaughter even brought her own rabbit and its bunnies to show off in Shelbyville.

The Gerens are at home in their R.V., dogs, plants and all. With the hibiscus being her favorite plant, Joanna has created her own makeshift front yard in front of their home-away-from-home.

"I enjoy my plants and the public does, too," said Joanna, who's 72. "A lot of people comment on my plants."

Following the Bedford County Fair, the Gerens will move onto the next city, where they'll do it all again ... and again ... and again.

But the joy their rides bring to the children who ride them makes it all well worth it.

"I guess my favorite part of all this is the smile it puts on the children's faces," she said. "They smile. Their eyes light up ... it's all very rewarding."

FAIR SCHEDULE

* The carnival opens at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.

* Tuesday night features horse whisperer Sam Powell, the open beef show, the Red Hat Society and Industrial Night.

* Wednesday is both Senior Citizens' and Youth Day, with the Strung Out Bluegrass Band, the Cavaliers Gospel Quartet, and the Fun Dog Show.

* Thursday features cloggers, an open beef show, tug-of-war and the Smoker Truck and Tractor Pull.

* On Friday, there is the "Wool and Woolies Review," an open sheep show, a lamb and commercial ewe show, the lawn and garden tractor pull, the All Pleasure Horse Show, and Dwayne Drake and band.

* The last day of the fair will have the miniature donkey show, mule pulling and mule show, the antique tractor exhibit and show, and the antique tractor pull.