16 - North Shore News - Friday, April 7, 2000 NORTH SHORE AFTER DARK: CAPILANO MAL Life iS d Carly THE deskers have shut down their computer terminals and fone home, and the sun’s disap- peared from the horizon bevond English Bay. But the day's nor over, It contrast to our reputa- jon asa quict suburb, when the sky fades to black the North Shore comes alive. Inthe com- ing months watch this space as we tntroduce vou to some of the people thar work the niahe shift in North Shore After Dark. Deana Lancaster News Reporter dlancaster@nsnews.com IT’S only the end of March, still cool for a night-time trip to the carnival. Sull, dozens of people, bundied in jackets, have come down to the parking lot across Hanes Avenue from Capilano Mall. It’s been magically trans- formed for just a few days, and while they’re here they'll rake a turn on the Yo-Yo and splash out on a few midway games. Twenty-four year old Justin (“I got no last name”) is try- ing to get their attention. “Hi there! Can I make you feel like a kid again sir?” He’s running the basket- ball game, and manages to catch the interest of one pass- er-by. He convinces him to try a practice shor, and it’s easily sunk. “See how easy that is?” baits Justin “Just $2 and you can win the lady a prize.” “What do you win?” asks a friend of the intended catch. “Prizes, man. Prizes,” says Justin. A few more seconds of hesi- tation, and the man decides against it. He’s off the hook, and with just a few fin strokes he and his friends are gone. Justin pulls out a pack of smokes, cups his hand against the wind and strikes a match. He takes a drag and exhales. He says he’s originally from Cardston, Alberta, but more recently from Puerto Rico. He was living in Winnipeg, working a “regular” job for six years when a relationship soured. “I ran away and joined the carnival.” Now he travels with West Coast Amusements from March until October — the length of the run depends on the weather. Like the rest of the crew he sleeps in one of the trailers scattered around the site. He isn’t shy and answers questions about his social life with a gleam in his eve. “How do I meet girls? Well, say ... what’s your name?” But he laughs at the suggestion that he’s a rake. whens? I got no ‘girl in every port.” And no kids that I know of either.” A small gaggle of kids is drifting by and catches Justin’s eye. He sizes therm up quickly, then calls to them: “Hey there ...” JUSTIN runs the basketball game and reels them in with a free practice throw. He's been travelling with the carnival for six seasons. Over at The Sizzler, things are pretty quiet. The ride’s 22- year-old operator, Mike, is relaxing in one of the its bucket seats, sucking quietly on a lollipop. The flashing yellow and blue lights cast an eerie glow on his face. “This thing is old,” he says, tu explain the lack of riders. “it’s kind of slow.” For a good time, carnival-goers should head across the fair- ground. He pulls the lollipop out of his mouth 2," point to a black octopus-like contraption, lined wiih brilliant red lights. A line-up of people is waiting to load. “That would be The Orbiter. It’s a lot more exciting than this. But tomorrow’s gonna be a lot berter. Saturdays always e.” John agrees. ; He runs The Bulgy in Kiddieland, but it’s getting late and most of the kids have gone home. Now he's watching the Ring of Fire as it rushes around its track. He shouts to be heard over the rush of the wheels. ; “Saturdays are good and Sundays too. Sometimes we do a food bank day where people bring a donation.” The passenger car of the Ring of Fire is now hanging sus- pended upside down at the top of its loop. He looks up at it. fi operator, John. NEWS photos Cindy Goodman FOR just a few days, the parking lot across from Capilano Mall is transformed into a fairground. But it isn’t a huge crowd that turns up on coo! March evenings, so Sizzier operator, Mike (top right) takes a break with a sweet treat. “I would go on any one of these rides. I know how the guys set them up. The safety is right there.” Back at The Bulgy he mentions another reason why tomor- row is going to be a good day. “My daughter is coming.” She’s two, and it will be her first time at the carnival. He’s going to start her on his own ride. “It goes fast, it’s unbelievable, really. It’s a lot faster than the cars,” he gestures towards the neighbouring ride in Kiddieland. aaah, if she can handle this, she can handle just about any- iB The 31-year-old has bees working at amusement parks for seven years, and he likes the lifestyle. “You meet all different kinds of people. And we’re like a big family, we work hard together. The ring, the orbiter, the tilt ... they have a lot of pieces and it takes a long time to set those up and tear them down. And you know when I’m done my stuff I'm going to go help someone else tear down.” That happens Sunday evening, when the carnival’s run in North Van ends. The rides, games and crew move on to the next stop and the patch of pavement across from Capilano Mall becomes a parking lot again. THE Bulgy —- a fish ride in Kiddieland —- goes unbelievably fast, according to its”