Dell & Travers Carnival. A bit of my past!

October 16, 2012




Here is a bit of my past: Pictures of the Dell & Travers Carnival midway circa 1978 or 79.  

I have fond memories of the three seasons I traveled with Dell  & Travers in the late 1970s.  In some ways it was more home to me than the town I left behind. 

And since this is a nostalgia post, a picture of me back in the day--in true 70s style.



48 comments

  1. I remember it well. Used to pass through N.C. every September, back in the 1970s.

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  2. Nice to hear. Thank you for commenting!

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  3. I was just googling and found your pictures Rose and Dan Dell were my aunt and uncle

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    1. Did you know Anita?

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    2. I am also related to Rose and Dan Dell. Please contact me. 219-973-1726

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    3. I am so happy that this entry is serving as a contact point for people associated with the show <3

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  4. That's great Anon. Hope you enjoyed the pics!

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    1. wish the pics were still here. can't seem for some reason to find any of my pics from when i was with the show.

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  5. Hi John. I was able to recover two of the pics from the google cache of my site. Unfortunately the online album I linked to is gone. So here two though the resolution isn't the best!

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  6. Hi Barbara,
    I joined Dell and Travers Shows, specifically Clarence Samuel's girlie show in Sept. 1972 in Goldsboro, NC. I wonder if you remember the situation: the robbery, kidnapping and rape happened just as I joined them. Clarence was shot four times. I played guitar for them, hung out with Fast Eddie, Big Eddie and a white girl in the other strip show. I am trying to contact them. I was in love with Alsata Felicia, one of Clarence's girls. They were an amazingly sweet family going through one hell of a time. I was a lost boy. I am a writer and have written about this. It is published on sideshowworld.com --I am on facebook listed as Dink Bridgers. My email is dkbridger@gmail.com

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    1. Hey Dink. We have talked on facebook but I just realized I never replied to your comment here. Thank you for sharing this. Your poetic writing style shines through <3

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  7. Barbara, I worked briefly in Clarence Samuels' girlie show in 1972 with Dell and Travers. Coincidentally, (I don't really believe in coincidence) I am writing a book that documents strange psychic events in my life including ghosts and psychic proximity awareness with friends. The story of the girlie show is part of the book--- http://www.sideshowworld.com/106-Girlie/2013/George-Washingtons/Pussycat-Dancers-1.html

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  8. Hi Dink. Thanks for your comments. I'm afraid all of that was before my time (around 77 to 80)so I can't help you out. I will definitely check out your writing however. Sounds fascinating. And look you up on FaceBook. Thank you for sharing :) Barbara

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  9. I traveled with them as a ride jockey in 1973 season.

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    1. Thanks for commenting Anon. It's been fun to see how many people have memories of Dell and Travers!

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    2. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=652076921491066&set=a.304420642923364.76533.100000662923296&type=1&theater&notif_t=like

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    3. Joined season start in 1972.. I was asked to join the girlie show, but I chose not too. Worked the crazy ball for years. Miss those days and my D&T family!!! Anyone remember Denny and Jeff who worked for the Wells family?

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    4. Hey Anon. Just noticed this. I remember the Wells family very well. The names Denny and Jeff sound very familiar though I can't place them. Did one of the pair wear glasses and have a GF named Francesca?

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    5. Yeah, Denny wore glasses and so did Jeff if I remember correctly. I think Jeff had a girlfriend named Francesca, but not sure.

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    6. Thanks Anon. Sounds very familiar!

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  10. I might. I do remember the Wells family. I was good friends with Sally but lost my address book (remember those days?) after my last season with the show and haven't talked to her sense. Would be amazing to catch up!

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    1. when was your last season with D&T? I was there most of my life. local until I got out the service, and full time after that until the show was sold in 1985. myself, bobby springs, and a couple other folks went with the show until it was lost by new owner

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    2. Thanks for your comments John! My last season would have been in 80 if memory serves. A long time ago but I remember it well :)

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  11. Does anyone remember Anita Conchello Charicous Martinez? She was suppose to be married to Anthony Lewis Martinez. I am one of her children and I am trying to find information on Anthony. Anita passed away several years ago. Thanks in advance.

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  12. Dr Cliff BrubakerMay 16, 2014 at 2:47 PM

    I was on D and T's midway in 1971. I sold novelties. In the late 1960s I would visit my Aunt and Uncle on the show. (Sally and Bill Beldock)
    Dr. Cliff Brubaker

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  13. Hi Cliff. Thanks for sharing your experience. I worked for D & T in the late seventies. I worked various games over a period of about three years and last worked for Sally Wells who became a close friend. Sadly we lost touch. Would be amazing to hear from her again!

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    1. Babara,

      I remember the Wells family. Seems to me they had a bunch of pretty daughters that were around my age at the time. Sally was a bit younger than me (five years maybe). There are several amusement business magazines out now that the AB went out of business. They are Carnival, OABA puts one out to members - I think it is called show business and some others. You could run an ad in one to find her. The Wells family were from Texas back in the day. One question does anyone know if Rose Dell is still alive? That is Danny Dells wife. My aunt Sally Beldock just passed on March 3, 2014 and I want to let Rose know that Sally is gone. Thanks Dr. Cliff Brubaker Cumberland Maryland

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  14. Thanks Anon. You're recollection of the Wells family is accurate. They were from Texas definitely (and all pretty as well). I'm sorry I can't answer your question on Rose Dell but I hope that someone else can. My sympathies on the passing of your aunt Sally <3

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  15. Worked on D&T in 72. Does anyone remember the night hurricane Agnes hit the show we were in Baileys Cross Roads out side DC. What a Night!

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  16. I remember hurricane Agnes for sure Anon. It hit my area (Northeast PA) hard. But I wasn't with the show then. Probably someone else will recall it!

    Thanks for commenting :)

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  17. Sadly, I heard Sally Wells passed away several years ago. Her father Tom also passed a few years ago.

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  18. Thank you Anonymous. I'm so sorry that I didn't respond to your comment before. I'm very sad to hear this. Sally and I became good friends in my last year with the show. We went to Florida at the end of the season. We didn't make much money there but we had a great time. She was a wonderful person.

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  19. I think that Sally Beldock was the mother of my friend, Keith Beldock, who passed away in Dade City, FL, January, 2015.

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    1. Hi Katherine. I didn't know Sally Beldock. But I'm glad you were able to get some info here.

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  20. Barbara, my brother Richard Friedman travelled with the carnival and was good friends with Susie Wells and Tim. Was wondering if you remembered him.

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    1. Hi Geoffrey. I'm sorry I didn't get back sooner. I believe that Susie and Tim left the show the year before I joined. I was friends with Susie's sister Sally and did meet Susie but I'm to say that I don't remember meeting your brother - at least not by name.

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    2. Hi Geoffrey. I'm sorry I didn't get back sooner. I believe that Susie and Tim left the show the year before I joined. I was friends with Susie's sister Sally and did meet Susie but I'm to say that I don't remember meeting your brother - at least not by name.

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    3. Thanks for replying. I lost my brother 26 yrs ago and was hoping for a connect. Those were some wild days and would love to know if you might have Facebook info on Susie and Tim. Maybe through Sally?

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    4. Hi Geoff. I'm sorry for the loss of your brother. Unfortunately I've learned through here that Sally has passed. I don't have any info on her family at all. Good luck with your search!

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  21. My Mom Kathy (Nappy) was with the show late 70s and 80s I was born in 79 and have picture being out there I remember a few people off the top of my head Sunshine Bobby Springs Jamie Snider Carlos Gibbs

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    1. Thanks for sharing Anon! My son was born in 79 also. We did one season together (me and him) but as he got older I decided it was time to settle down. It was. But I still remember those days fondly :)

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  22. I am commenting for my husband, Jeffrey Barrett. He worked with Al Risinger for Dell and Travers in the late 70's. The photo above, of the Fun House, he says he used to work (and live in). He talks about it all the time.

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    1. Thanks for sharing Beth. I'm glad your husband enjoyed the photos!

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  23. Well I too was just Googling Dylan Travers and found this always wanted to see pictures of the show. Rosie and Dan were my aunt and uncle also how are you related Barbara?

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    1. Thanks for sharing that Margi. I'm glad you found the photos. I worked on the show for a a couple of years in the late 70s. Really did enjoy it!

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  24. I decided to republish this old post for a couple of different reasons.

    One is that it is a part of my past. The other is because it seems to bring up fond memories with others. Because of this post, I've learned what has become of some of the people I knew back then and made a few interesting new connections.

    Please feel free to comment and share!

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