Three unidentified children grinned broadly while peeking through the bars in a travelling Fun House on August 14, 1969. They had attracted a small group of curious onlookers. These children were part of the 1,200 strong opening day crowd at a 3-day community carnival held at the Eastside Youth Center. Proceeds of the carnival were to go for replacement of "Gus the Eastside Bus," a 15-year highway veteran. "Gus" had spent the last year transporting thousands of kids on more than 200 excursions before finally breaking down. Lee Carnival would set up a ferris wheel and rides, including a merry-go-round, in an outdoor midway accompanied by eleven booths of carnival games. A food bazaar was also in place in the youth center. Parking was free and there was no admission charge. The $500 raised during the carnival helped to buy "Gus II" which had a "kid capacity" of 72. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 8-10-69, A-16; TNT 8-15-69, C-20, TNT 9-14-69, B-5)

Children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cages--Tacoma; Carnivals--Tacoma--1960-1970;

This miniature train packed with children waiving their arms jubilantly in the air was just one of the many rides and amusements set up for the Eastside Youth Center's three-day carnival beginning on August 14th, 1969. One little boy, perhaps the train's "engineer," peered out from the locomotive. The youth center was attempting to raise funds for the replacement of a much-used bus, "Gus the Eastside Bus," which had limped to a final breakdown after transporting thousands of kids on excursions. Proceeds of the old-fashioned country carnival would go toward buying "Gus II." Children like those above would be able to ride a ferris wheel and merry-go-round or play games on the outdoor midway. Over 1,200 people attended the first day of the carnival, helping to raise $500 for the purchase of "Gus II," which arrived for service a month later. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 8-10-69, A-16-article; TNT 8-15-69, C-20-article, TNT 9-14-69, B-5-article)

Children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Miniature railroads--Tacoma; Carnivals--Tacoma--1960-1970;