If you went to the Ex from the 70s to the 90s, you may remember seeing a clown’s head logo with red hair, a black hat and plus signs over his eyes. The clown was named Conko and he was the logo for Conklin Shows, the company that managed the CNE midway alongside a host of other fairs across Canada and the U.S. John Thurston, author of Carnie King, joins us to talk about Patty Conklin, the huckster and showman who created Conklin Shows and built a carnival empire with Toronto and the CNE at its centre.

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Music:

1. The Westerlies - The Dover
2. Freedom Trail Studio - Classic 1985 Movie Soundtrack
3. John Patitucci - Gridlock
4. National Sweetheart - Candy Apple Town
5. Freedom Trail Studio - Give my Regards to Broadway
6. Nathan Moore - Up and At Em
7. Freedom Trail Studio - Circa 1983
8. Dyalla - Randy Butternubs