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Tag: Vintage images

Vintage Canada: The Bill Lynch Travelling Carnival Show

The Bill Lynch Carnival Show-A Staple of Martime Culture (The East Coast of Canada).

Bill Lynch Carnival show vintage poster

While working on my post for Canada’s 150th Birthday, I stumbled upon a poster advertising a Canadian Carnival show in the 1940’s (Seen in my post HERE). I had never heard of the name ‘Bill Lynch’ before and was instantly intrigued and knew I just had to know more. And like the good blogger I am, I figured that if I did not know much about Bill and his Exposition Shows then maybe many of my readers hadn’t either. So lets explore the Carnival’s history together friends!

Meet William (Bill) Lynch

Bill Lynch Carnival Show Vintage Image
Source: The Halifacts

About the Show & Bill:

  • William Lynch (Born 1905) as a young boy growing up on McNab’s Island, Nova Scotia loved the annual summer fair on Findlay’s Picnic Grounds. In fact he loved it so much that when he became a teenager he took a job racking the balls and assisting with the old merry-go-round. All the while, he yearned to be a bigger part of this magical escape (Source).
  • 1917 – Halifax has a horrific explosion which ends the summer fun and fairs as the city rebuilt and forces Bill back to regular life working in a machine shop.
  • BUT the dream is not dead and Lynch returns to McNabs Island in the spring of 1920, buying the famous merry-go-round for $800. He managed it until 1924, but people didn’t come to the island like they used to. Lynch decided to go to the people and starts to travel around to small towns in Nova Scotia (Source).
  • 1928, he adds a second ride: a Ferris wheel.
  • In 1929, Bill wins the bid for the Halifax Exhibition and invests in 3 more rides and 3 shows to boost the size of his show to fit the exhibitions request. It was a hefty purchase that paid off and Lynch was asked back for the 1930 exhibition.
  • Changing the negative perception of Carnies & giving back to the community: Bill hired hundreds of Maritimers to run the games and partnered with service groups. Made donations to charitable groups in every town his roadshow visited and told the carnies that all disabled children should ride for free (Source).
  • By the 1940’s, The Bill Lynch Carnival is the Biggest in Canada  and becomes “the search for relief from monotony from everyday living.”
  • 1956 the show is now massive, towing 27 railway cars of rides, games and performers all around the Maritimes. Lynch hired acts such as The Turtle Woman, The Tattooed Man, The Worlds Fattest Couple, and conjoined twins Ronnie and Donnie (Source).
  • After 52 years in the business, Lynch dies in 1972. The carnival has changed hands a couple of times but is currently still in operation.
Bill Lynch Exhibition Shows Vintage Posters
Source: Hake’s
Bill Lynch Carnival show vintage poster
Source: Hake’s
Bill Lynch Shows Carnival Posters
Bill Lynch Carnival Pass Book vintage booklet
Source: Caperpics

1941 photo of a Monkey Race.

1941 Bill Lynch Carnival Show - 1940s vintage image of a Monkey Race.
Source: Nova Scotia Archives. E.A. Bollinger Nova Scotia Archives accession no. 1975-305 1941 no. 465-7a

The Famous Ferris Wheel-1941.

1941 Bill Lynch Carnival Show Canada. 1940s photo of the Famous Ferris Wheel. Nova Scotia Archives
Source: Nova Scotia Archives. E.A. Bollinger Nova Scotia Archives accession no. 1975-305 1941 no. 465-1b

1940s photo of the Merry-Go-Around.

Bill Lynch Carnival merry go around 1940s Canada
Source: Nova Scotia Archives. E.A. Bollinger Nova Scotia Archives accession no. 1975-305 1941 no. 465e

Sailors watching either a ride or a show in 1941.

Canadian sailors 1941 watching Bill Lynch Carnival show Nova Scotia Archives
Source: Nova Scotia Archives. E.A. Bollinger Nova Scotia Archives accession no. 1975-305 1941 no. 465-2d

Advertising for a show in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Bill Lynch Carnival 1940s Saint Johns appearance
Source: The Lost Valley

High Wire Bicycle Act.

Bicycle high wire act at a Bill Lynch Show.
Source: Dalhousie University

Further Reading on the Carnival:

I hope you enjoyed learning about Bill Lynch and his Carnival Show. It was really fun researching this topic and learning about a piece of Canadian history dear to many hearts in the East Coast.

Vintage Inn Blog Post To Read:

Liz

Vintage Photos of People Having a Picnic

Vintage Photo Tuesday Picnic Time by the Vintage Inn Blog

Summer time equals picnic time and today’s ‘Vintage Photo Tuesday‘ is showcasing images from the 1920s-1960s of family and friends enjoying this long-standing tradition.


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 


The Vintage Photos of People Enjoying a Picnic

1920’s-1960’s Images

1940s vintage photo of a summer picnic featuring a Woman with basket & blanket by the river.

1940s vintage photo of a Summer Picnic featuring a Woman with Basket & Blanket by the River

Source: Etsy

Late 1930s, Early 1940s ohoto of 5 adorable woman hanging out together.

1940s vintage image of women at a picnic in 1940s fashions and fun summer hats.
Source: Etsy

Waiting patiently for the fun to begin. Vintage photo of husband and wife on a picnic table in the 1940s early 1950s.

1940s / 1950s vintage photo of a couple sitting on a picnic table having a picnic.
Source: Etsy

1940s photo of a mom, dad and daughter having a box lunch picnic. Cute 1940s shoes on the pretty lady to the left.

1940s vintage of family having a box lunch picnic
Source: Etsy

No blanket or basket needed, just friends and family to make the day complete in this 1920’s vintage photo. Love the 20’s Fashions!

1920s vintage photo of a group of people in 1920s fashions enjoying a picnic in a park.
Source: Etsy

Sometimes you don’t even need food to just have fun hanging in the summer sun (circa 1940’s photo).

1940s vintage image of women at a picnic in a park in 1940s fashions.
Source: Etsy

When the temperature dips down at night, warm yourself by the portable barbecue (1950’s photo). Love the 1950s Dress on the our mom in the photo!

1950s Vintage Photo: Happy Family Warming Hands Over Grill a 1950s Summer Picnic
Source: Etsy

A 1940’s fashionable family picnic (I love everyone’s look in this photo).

1940s vintage photo of a family enjoying a picnic by a lake.
Source: Etsy

The note that went out to the friends before this 1930’s event happened (what I think was said): “Dear friends, I would like to have a picnic at the lake, ladies wear white and men wear striped shirts and white pants. See you there, Love Mabel”.

1930s vintage photo of a group of men and women having a picnic by the lake all dressed in white.
Source: Etsy

“Patty and her picnic lunch”. How about Patty and her amazing 1940’s style?!

1940s vintage woman eating food at a picnic. She is wearing a western style shirt and looks like a 1940s turban style on her head.
Source: Etsy

Saddle shoes and plaid socks (the young woman is so adorable). Vintage 1940s image of family at a park having a picnic.

vintage 1940s image of family at a park having a picnic in 1940s early 1950s fashions.
Source: Etsy

Bicycling to the picnic spot (1920’s photo). WOW WOW WOW!! The 1920s Fashions in this photo are mind blowing!

1920s vintage photo of 4 women with 1920s hairstyles and 1920s fashions on bikes heading to a picnic
Source: Etsy

“I present the Hot Dog!”. Vintage 1950s photo of a boy and girl with hot dogs having a picnic.

vintage 1950s photo of a boy and girl with hot dogs having a picnic
Source: Etsy

Cheers to good times! Vintage Photo of Friends Lifting Their Glasses on a Picnic, 1940’s.

1940s Vintage Photo of Friends Lifting Their Glasses on a Picnic. Super 1940s Fashions and 1940s hairstyles.
Source: Etsy

I hope you had fun browsing today’s vintage photos, I know I had a blast spending time with these images and imagining the good times they all must have had.

Have a great day Friends!

FURTHER READING: Vintage Photos 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)

Liz