Traditional fun ... close to home

Annie Erickson, Sam Baker, Haleigh Knapp, Natalie Erickson, and Alex Stanger have their hair blown in the wind while riding Pharoh’s Fury at the Fireman’s Carnival in Morris Tuesday. (Herald photo by Adam Nekola)

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Anyone can ride Pharaoh’s Fury Swinging Ship, hop on the Crazy Bus, or get a view from the Century Wheel this week without leaving Morris.

Luehrs’ Ideal Rides returned to Morris this week for the annual Fireman’s Carnival. The carnival opened Tuesday evening and will provide entertainment in Morris through Saturday night.

Although there have been many changes in the fire department in recent years, money raised through the carnival is still used to buy equipment and reduce the burden on taxpayers.

“I think people are staying closer to home, taking part in local activities, and that helps us,” Luehrs’ President Andrew Schoendienst said.

Last year at this time, gas costs were over $4 a gallon.

“The lower costs really help us because we use a lot of fuel,” Schoendienst said.

The generators the carnival uses for electricity use about 1,500 gallons of fuel every other day.

Luehr’s Ideal Rides, which has received the Circle of Excellence Award four times, is in its 53rd year of operation.

Schoendienst said all Luehr’s employees are uniformed and properly trained.

“They have to pass a drug test and a national background check,” he said. “We have two full time staff members who have received the same training as state inspectors.”

All employees have photo identification badges, wear company uniforms and are subject to random drug testing.

Luehrs’ continues to be invited back to the same locations decade after decade, like the Morris Fireman’s Carnival, the Will County Fair in Peotone for 50 years, and the Decatur County Fair for 53 years.

Hub Luehrs began working at a carnival in Ripon, Wis., in 1936. Two years later, he married Winnifred Schimnowski on Thanksgiving Day.

They started out in the business with one ride and a few concessions.

By 1956, they were able to purchase Ideal Rides from Paul Robertson. In the spring of 1957, Luehrs’ Ideal Rides hit the road with an Octupus, Ferris wheel, Merry-Go-Round, King pony cart and a Shiff Coaster.

Over the years, they expanded the carnival and their four children all worked in the business in many capacities.

The third generation of the family currently owns Luehrs’ Ideal Rides. Andy and Lorelei Schoendienst and Jean and Joe Clair purchased the business in 1996.

Other family members working for the carnival include Hub’s nephew Jimmy Luehrs, and his granddaughter Kristin Clair Atkins, along with her husband, Christopher Atkins.