However, she was reluctant because of the parties' notoriety for drunks, she said. Blake enjoyed the variety of her work at Oaks Park. She also enjoyed working outdoors with minimal supervision. For carnies, however, the carnival is much more than a summer job. When they choose the traveling carnival, they choose a lifestyle.
Carnivals travel for as much as seven months out of the year.
As a result, carnies lead a communal lifestyle. The carnies Morris worked with lived in trailers. At Oaks Park many of the carnies chose to live together rather than in the bunkhouses provided. The carnies told Blake that sometimes, for the luxury of a room and bathroom to themselves, they are willing to pay for a motel room. According to Blake, carnies don't develop relationships outside of the carny community.