Michelle Theriault Boots steps behind the scenes to profile the owner of Golden Wheel Amusements, Alaska's long-running carnival midway, as they takes care of another summer season thrilling Alaskans.
The Golden Wheel Amusement Company provides events from Fairbanks to Kodiak with "a ready-made fair (complete with) giant corn dogs, oversized midway-prize stuffed bears and crazy-mirror funhouses mirrors." The company has been providing amusement staples since the 1960s.
For Golden Wheel owner Jacqueline Leavitt, amusement is in her blood. As a girl, Leavitt traveled north to Alaska with her mother Claire Morton, who was in the business. She has been here ever since.
Leavitt seeks to do her best for the Alaskan community at large. She offers employment to those down on their luck or in need of a "family." Many of her crew members travel year round with the company throughout the state, and some stay on for years.
To read more about The Golden Wheel, check out the Fairbanks Daily News Miner here.