We’ve all heard stories of people who got started in the entertainment business because of a summer job that started at a local fair or carnival. They may have worked a few weeks, caught the travel bug, or enjoyed the lifestyle, perhaps spending years or even a lifetime in the outdoor recreation business.
In a twist to that narrative, Harlan Bast, longtime owner of Hildebrand Amusement Rides, is actually stepping down this summer from his traveling show to focus on his amusement park business in nearby Carolina Beach. Wilmington North Carolina.
Bast is not new to the theme park business, having previously operated beaches in Daytona, FL and North Myrtle Beach. But he seems to have found a good fix for his travel and gear this summer in Carolina Beach.
Last year post Covid Bast only had 8 rides in the boardwalk area but business was great and they had as good a run as ever. This year, it’s back to a bigger park with 15 rides, with the addition of some bigger rides to the lineup.
Bast bought a Chance Giant Wheel with partner Patrick Imes of Oscar’s Amusements. Lightning had struck the steering wheel and caused damage. Bast reached out to longtime Amusements of America family member Vinny Curci, who later in his career worked at the NJ amusement park. Curci helped him with a new PLC and overhaul and the wheel was ready to go in May.
In addition, the park will feature Bast’s Sea Ray, a Wacky Worm, Tornado, Drop Tower, Ali Baba, plus several smaller rides such as a Slide, Dumbo and Spinner. He also added a Chance Merry Go Round with horses Bradley and Kaye.
Bast works with Imes, which is part of a long tradition. Before Bast was born, Ime’s father and Bast’s father worked together in Pennsylvania, and the boys continue the tradition today.
In addition to the rides, Bast brought 6 trailers, 5 snacks and a clamshell lemonade stand. He bought a Hitch Hiker burger stand and the food got new wraps for a bold new look at the park.
The park consists of 2 games, a balloon game and long range basketball.
Life in the park isn’t as hectic as life on the road, and Bast welcomes the pace, at least for now. “We open every day at 5 p.m.,” says Bast, adding that occasionally when the crowds are at their peak, he may open for a matinee on Saturdays and Sundays.
The park also does not offer armbands, although it is considering doing so in the off-season, but instead operates a pay-as-you-go ticket system.
Typically, the season runs from May to Labor Day for the park, but Bast says the city is planning many special events in what used to be the off-season. To help with the success of these events, Bast plans to operate a smaller version of the park almost year-round.
Planned for 2022 are a large October celebration, plus holiday parties and other events. The city hopes the added events will extend the tourist season and add reasons to come year-round.
Once Labor Day rolls around, Bast will resume life on the road with Hildebrand Amusement Rides, starting with the Baker County Fair in Macclenny, FL in September, an event he recently added back to his route when Magic Midways’ Susan and Tim Magid closed its doors this year. From Baker County, Bast heads to Callahan for the Northeast Florida Fair traveling south to the Broward County Fair, where he has built a huge new event that has been a huge success. The year ends in Pembroke Pines with a 5-week Christmas event.
Bast said his focus has been on trying to play longer events of 3 or more weeks when the situation calls for it. This results in fewer bounces and helps with employee attrition. A strong promotional schedule, including iheart radio and other media, keeps customers coming back throughout the period.
Once the new year begins, Bast resumes operations with several Catholic churches and county fairs, many of which play a shortened three- to four-day period, resulting in a tougher pace for his team.
Bast moves about 30 trips every week. Included in that number will be the Street Fighter ride he purchased from Magic Midways, which will make its debut in the middle of Hildebrand Street.
Bast has begun staffing for the travel season, adding H2B visa workers and bringing his total to about 30. Although foreign workers are important, Bast says, “I have quality American help that has been with me for over 20 years”. . Bast says many of the workers have become like family to him, with some even living out the rest of their lives in a house on his property.
Other key employees include Rick Ramsey who is his right-hand man for the park and assists in every aspect of the operation. Mark Popovitch has come on board as trip supervisor and keeps the equipment running safely year-round.
Asked about the season, Bast said he “can’t complain.” Like almost every carnival, 2021 was an outstanding year for the show, but more importantly, it was great to see people enthusiastic about getting out into the middle of the street and the park again. 2022 seems to have held up well, even events that may have had record years in 2021.
However, looking ahead, he fears fuel “will be a challenge and rising interest rates could also be a problem”. Judging by the crowds at Carolina Beach, though, he sees license plates from NJ, OH, PA and other far-flung destinations, showing that many are still willing to travel and spend on vacations.
While Bast took the summer off for his 2022 carnival, he plans to keep the show open through the summer of 2023. That route usually consists of playing quiet dates and promoted events in Tennessee, where he produces and promotes some of his events.
“I like the park and the pace — up to a point,” says Bast, “but I still like to be on the road at my events.”
