'Water gun fun': Marshfield Fair's Larry Creed is no stereotypical carnival barker

MARSHFIELD − Some people might perceive the word "carny" as a slight, but not Larry Creed.

Creed, 63, is a carny at the Marshfield Fair. He has worked the midway for Fiesta Shows for more than 20 years, traveling to fairs, carnivals and festivals running a “joint,” or game booth.

He runs a game in which players pay five bucks each to shoot a stream of water into a clown's mouth. The water rises in a clear tube until one player's shot reaches the top and sets off the winning bell.

In a place full of flashing lights, clanging bells and piercing whistles, you would think a carnival barker would try to stand out by being louder and running his tongue like an auctioneer or a TV commercial disclaimer.

Creed stands out, all right, but not by being louder. He's softer.

He's the Bob Ross of carnies. He speaks softly with a sort of sing-song rhythm.

“Water gun fun, water gun fun,” he says as he tries to attract players.

It's hard to get his pitch out of your head − you know, like the kids song "The Wheels on the Bus."

With his understated pitch, Creed pulls in more players than most of the carnies around him.

“One more player for choice, any prize with just one more player,” he says.

His softness is his strength. Parents see how he engages kids whether they win or lose. That keeps them playing. Winners get a little stuffed animal or a ball and Creed declares them the champion.

Kids are not the only ones who play. Even parents are treated to Creed's enthusiastic praise.

The days are long, usually 12 hours with no days off during the Marshfield Fair's 10-day run, but Creed doesn't mind. He moves from venue to venue living in a mobile home trailer while working from April to October on commission. Then retreats to his home in New Hampshire.

Larry was a pizza-maker for 20 years before deciding to work for Fiesta Shows. He wants to retire soon, but that's hard to imagine.

He's having too much “water gun fun, water gun fun.”

More: Marshfield Fair to open 10-day run Friday. Here's what to expect inside the gates

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Marshfield Fair's Larry Creed is no run-of-the-mill carnival barker