Bumper cars, ferris wheels, carousels; fun fairs and carnival attractions carry a magical appeal.
While most children eventually (and reluctantly) leave the fun behind at the end of the day, Joyce Lee has always gotten to stay and take unlimited rides – that’s the perk of being the daughter of the showman behind local carnival operator Uncle Ringo.
“I am always aware of how lucky I was to have grown up being able to play at carnivals to my heart’s desire. I see children being pulled away by their parents or being denied another ride, and I felt really blessed,” she recalls.
Uncle Ringo was started by Joyce’s father, Lee Woon Chiang, in 1984. The iconic travelling carnival operator is a frequent sight at pasar malams – a colloquial term for Singapore’s local night bazaars – and is well-loved by children and adults alike.
But while growing up surrounded by fun rides was thrilling, it also had shortcomings. School holidays for her classmates meant family trips and vacations, but for Joyce, it was the opposite. “The holiday season is the peak period for the business, so it’s when [my father] is at his busiest. In fact, my father would be absent a lot because for one, my dad is a very hardworking man who dedicated himself to the success of Uncle Ringo.”
Having joined the family business 12 years ago (and also evidently inheriting her father’s work ethic), Joyce is determined to continue the success of Uncle Ringo to ensure that the “fun never ends”.