August 10 – Four years into its partnership with East Hills Mall, the Evans United Shows Carnival remains a huge success.
Returning for a five-day run starting Wednesday, August 17, she’s looking to keep the tradition alive and well.
“We see a lot of repeat customers here every year who are very happy to be back in town again. So it’s good to see people we grew up with and around, as well as new people and new generations of people as well. ,” said Ann Owsley, office manager for Evans United Shows.
The carnival will return to the East Hills Shopping Center parking lot, 3702 Frederick Ave., beginning at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 17th. It will run until 10pm on Sunday, August 21.
Based in Plattsburg, Missouri, Evans United Shows has toured the greater Missouri and Kansas areas, setting up shop in malls, parks and parking lots. While it had held its events near the Riverfront, the carnival moved downtown in 2019.
“We love having it here at East Hills Mall because they’re in the center of everything and everyone can come to us a little easier. Any time we can come back to St. Joe’s is great … This is like our hometown. Our family is really close to us in Plattsburg,” Owsley said.
In business for over 70 years, Carnival has grown and evolved.
“We’re about the size of what a state size could be if we put everything together. Things have gotten newer, better like the lights have changed. We’ve done some things that are more automated,” Owsley said.
For its 2022 walk downtown, Evans United will bring back all the carnival favorites people have come to expect, as well as some new rides.
“We have a lot of your standard stuff like the Ferris wheel, the merry-go-round, the fun ones that everyone likes like the magic maze and the Tilt-A-Whirl. Everything from baby rides to spectacular rides,” Owsley said.
Overcoming a pandemic and the financial hardships that came with it, the Evans United Shows crew is excited to see some familiar faces.
“I think our normal world has changed here, sure … but we’re all ready to go out and get together with other people and see friends and have a good time,” Owsley said.
Carnival hours are from 6pm to 10pm Wednesday to Friday and from 1pm to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Individual ride coupons are $1.25 each, with 20-for-$20 and 50-for-$45 discount coupons. An unlimited ride wristband costs $25. All ages are welcome.
Andrew Gaug can be reached at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @NPNOWGaug
