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On the Road

Carnival game concession stand, it is very colourful with flags at the very top, stuffed toys mounted on the wall, balloons for popping and canvas covering the bottom.

WCA Balloon Pop Game, Circa 2017

Originally, West Coast Amusements had only 1 unit operated by Bingo and Jackie. Today, WCA has 3 carnival units. Unit 2 is operated by Bingo’s son, Robert, and daughter-in-law, Wendy Hauser. Started in 1980, Unit 3 is operated by Bingo’s wife Jackie Hauser and grandson Robbie and his wife Tarah. Unit 4 is operated by Jaclyn and Darcy Benson, Bingo’s granddaughter and her husband. Bingo’s Unit 1 was retired in 2016.

A large view of a carnival midway set up in a parking lot, the Vertigo ride is featured in the middle

WCA at Cloverdale Rodeo, Surrey, BC, 2017

The advantage of having different units is that you can play smaller fairs and dates with less equipment and bring the units together for playing larger fairs. Strategically planning routes is essential to minimize expenses. The costs of transportation can make or break a carnival. The WCA route covers approximately 1,100,000 square kilometers.

Bird's eye view of carnival midway at dusk, the lights shine bright from a distance

WCA in Dawson Creek, BC, Circa 2016

A carnival midway with many rides and concessions set up, seen in the distance are the Zipper, Super Shot and Ferris wheel rides, a carousel can be seen in front

WCA at Lloydminster Exhibition, Alberta, Circa 2017

West Coast Amusements route includes British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. In British Columbia they travel the mainland from Vancouver east to the Alberta border and as far north as Prince Rupert and Dawson Creek. They also ferry their carnival to Vancouver Island. Their route spans most of Alberta from Lethbridge to Medicine Hat in the south and Grand Prairie to Fort McMurray in the north. In Saskatchewan they play Lloydminster (which borders Alberta), Yorkton (which is close to the Manitoba border), and Estevan (which is close to North Dakota).

Once they leave the Vancouver area, the units are on the road for weeks at a time.

West Coast Amusements Modern Carnival Where They Play