Revitalizing Showmen: The Resurgence of the Fair at Dôme Car Park

2023-08-06 17:33:00

Garry Van Bellinghen, what does this edition represent for showmen?

It’s a new start. It’s the first time we’ve come to the Dôme car park and that’s why we tried to relaunch this fair with real faith. Five big attractions are present.

What are they ?

The Move-it, the Techno Power, a big bumper car ride, a Polyp octopus and the Lambada attraction. These carnies wanted to come here.

Why weren’t they here before?

The fair was in a bit of a free fall, partly due to the neighborhood. People left and never came back. Here, we are on a new place where the site is more secure and where there is free parking.

You emphasized programming.

There are activities every weekend and Kids Days on Wednesdays with free make-up and balloons. We find ourselves this year with ten more rides than the last time we came to the Place du Manège.

Will there be competitions this year?

We still have to discuss it but there will certainly be some. We organized the fair in three weeks and were a little taken aback. It might not have happened but several showmen, including me, wanted it to take place. I have always known the Charleroi fair, my grandparents and my parents already did it.

Have you ever asked to come to the Dôme car park before?

It had been discussed in time and this subject had been somewhat forgotten. The showmen wanted to stay in the city center but currently there are not many possibilities.

The previous summer edition at Gilly didn’t work…

It was a real disaster. There was nothing for young people, many activities were redundant. Here, there is something for everyone.

On the other hand, the Easter fair at the old Caterpillar site was a success.

Yes, we did not expect to see so many people. This is a positive point.

Can we say that the effects of the health crisis are now behind?

There are still some difficulties for certain things but we are finally starting to get our heads above water. After the Covid crisis, people were very withdrawn but now they need to get out, which is positive for us.

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