CARNIVAL OWNER

Clinton carnival company's co-owner enjoying the ride
Battling bad economy, changing times and stereotypes, Billy Swafford of East Coast Midways says he's building a true Maine company


East Coast Midways owners Billy Swafford, left, and Faron Young, right, in Fairfield on Tuesday.
from: kyonline.com
By Jesse Scardina
July 1, 2013
The carnival industry isn't a business that someone just decides to get into. Sure, it may sound fun, owning all those games and rides, snacking on nothing but corn dogs and candied apples, but the idea of hauling those giant rides and working long, hot summer weeks while almost everyone else is relaxing on vacation or at the town fair can be exhausting and challenging.
It's that challenge that Billy Swafford loves about his business. Swafford, who is co-owner of East Coast Midways in Clinton, grew up in the carnival business before starting his company three years ago.

"I just love it," Swafford said on a hot, sticky Monday in Fairfield as he and his crew worked throughout the day to set up for the Fairfield Days celebration.

"I love pulling into the town and meeting new people. We dealt with country folks last week. Before that we were in Philadelphia," he said. "It's really the challenge of constantly being on the move. The new challenge is what I love."

 

Adam Trott, 25, left, and Tim Siwek, 32, right, install a horse on the merry-go-round at the East Coast Midways carnival in Fairfield on Tuesday.
Staff photo by Michael G. Seamans
Swafford, 33, has faced a variety of challenges throughout his business venture, whether it be the issues that come with being a start-up in an old-fashioned industry, working with a variety of safety regulations that change with the location or dealing with the stigma that comes with the carnival industry.
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