Apr 27, 2026 •
Daryl Granger, front and centre, held a poster for his new documentary, The Showmen, posing with carnys and showmen from the World’s Finest Shows midway as they set up in Simcoe this week including, Dana Joseph, front left, Owen Moxam, Jim Patterson, and Mike Laliberté and, on the right, Jon Cotters and Maggie Prince. Patterson and Laliberté are real carneys while the others are considered showmen. Susan Gamble/ /Postmedia Network Photo by Susan Gamble /Susan Gamble/The Expositor
Just like with his first two documentaries, Daryl Granger found inspiration for this year’s film right in his own backyard.
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Simcoe’s own World’s Finest Shows – a large travelling midway – is well-known across Ontario as it’s part of 50 fairs and festivals each year, including the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, just minutes from Granger’s home.
“Everybody loves the midway,” Granger said this weekend. “It’s vibrant, colourful and has lots of intriguing sounds. I’m not a ride person but I love the way it makes you feel.”
So Granger suggested telling the story of the midway from behind the scenes – covering everything from setting it up to tearing it down along with all the inspections involved in creating a temporary city.
He grabbed his camera, put on a World’s Finest Shows shirt and spent an entire year documenting everything with the men and women known as carnies or showmen.
“They’re not the same thing,” warns Granger. “Technically, a carny is someone who is born into the midway life and a showman is someone who joins it.”
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That’s just one of many insights he gained while working alongside those who bring excitement to midways across Ontario each summer; hence he named his film The Showmen.
“There’s a mystique about the midway. They come in through the night and leave through the night,” he said.
Starting with how midways began their journey over time; Granger goes through various steps such as setting up lot space for rides to ordering an extremely costly new attraction along with managing electricity needed to power this mini-city filled with rides, games – especially lights. “It’s different now compared to what it was 40 years ago. Back then there were concerns about safety on rides as well as cheating. Nowadays it’s more like a family entertainment system that wants you back every year.” “Granger met individuals who have spent decades in this field and admired their technical skills along with strong work ethic required for these roles.” “His unscripted recording shows ticket-taking methods, fair food booths, gaming setups together with all rides giving viewers an interesting peek into areas most people never get to see.”The Showmen has already been accepted at multiple film festivals, and similar to Granger’s earlier projects, is gaining recognition.”Granger’s first documentary was Nettingthe Waters which focusedon Lake Erie fishing industry whereashis second – Young Farmer detailedthe journeyof akidwhogrewvegetablesto sellso hecouldpurchase adreamdirtbike.””Between thoseprojects Grangercollaboratedwithvariousfilmfestivalsto earna totalof40internationalawards.””There isn’t any financial gainfromthese festivalsbutwinning awardsis amain victoryandoccasionally receiving trophiesis nice too.””Theworkitselfgenerallyprovidesrewardalongwithsomecompensationwhenpeoplepaytoseethe films.””I’mproudofallthree(documentaries)butthisonewasmybiggest. I madealotoffriendsand I’mreallyhappyaboutit. They mademeanhonoraryshowman.”
Starting with how midways began their journey over time; Granger goes through various steps such as setting up lot space for rides to ordering an extremely costly new attraction along with managing electricity needed to power this mini-city filled with rides, games – especially lights. “It’s different now compared to what it was 40 years ago. Back then there were concerns about safety on rides as well as cheating. Nowadays it’s more like a family entertainment system that wants you back every year.” “Granger met individuals who have spent decades in this field and admired their technical skills along with strong work ethic required for these roles.” “His unscripted recording shows ticket-taking methods, fair food booths, gaming setups together with all rides giving viewers an interesting peek into areas most people never get to see.”The Showmen has already been accepted at multiple film festivals, and similar to Granger’s earlier projects, is gaining recognition.”Granger’s first documentary was Nettingthe Waters which focusedon Lake Erie fishing industry whereashis second – Young Farmer detailedthe journeyof akidwhogrewvegetablesto sellso hecouldpurchase adreamdirtbike.””Between thoseprojects Grangercollaboratedwithvariousfilmfestivalsto earna totalof40internationalawards.””There isn’t any financial gainfromthese festivalsbutwinning awardsis amain victoryandoccasionally receiving trophiesis nice too.””Theworkitselfgenerallyprovidesrewardalongwithsomecompensationwhenpeoplepaytoseethe films.””I’mproudofallthree(documentaries)butthisonewasmybiggest. I madealotoffriendsand I’mreallyhappyaboutit. They mademeanhonoraryshowman.”
The Showmen runsforjustovertwohoursandwill premiereon May4 at7pmattheatresin Leamington, Kewick, Londonsimilarlyas Simcoe.“Butnotacarny.”
It willalso be presentedat The Screening Roomin Kingstonon May9th May11th&12thatdifferenttimes.For more information go to www. theshowmen. ca.
SGamble @EXPSGamble Sharethisarticleinyour social network
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