Many Oklahomans were bummed by the announced cancelation of this year’s Great State Fair of Oklahoma, including Sam Stucky. As a native Oklahoman, the self-appointed Corny Carnie of the Inflatable Carnival empire—serving everyone everywhere from here to Guthrie with bounce houses, amusements, concessions, and games— he grew up loving the annual event, in the most unnatural way possible.
“The State Fair and I are in an unhealthy relationship,” Stucky said. “That nostalgia is strong…I always walk away feeling like I spent too much money and ate too much terrible food, but I keep coming back for the abuse. Now that I think about it, can I get counseling for that?”