For many years Belle and surrounding communities have always known the carnival has the “Jacksons,” but do we really know who the Jacksons are? As we celebrate 75 years of the Belle Fair, we are also celebrating 70 years with the Jackson family.

The Jackson Family Carnival began in 1943, when Patriarch Les Jackson of “Les Jackson Rides” brought home a Shetland pony named, “Trigger,” for his 8-year-old son, Jim. The party was a huge hit, so parents began to ask Les to continue to bring the pony to their kids’ birthday parties and events.

Les soon was full of business with parties, church events and small county fairs. Les eventually had 32 ponies, where he continued to add to his show. Les added a kiddie-car ride he made himself from pedal cars he’d purchased from a local hardware store. His imagination never stopped. His next invention was to create a spaceship ride out of barrels. He’d cut them in half and suspend them with chains. Les hired a machinist friend to weld together a mini portable ferris-wheel. He eventually owned over 20 carnival rides, numerous games of skill and too many delicious carnivals treats to count. Les worked full-time in the sawmill business and only did the pony rides on the weekends. Les decided to go full-time into the traveling amusement business in 1953.

The Shetland ponies evolved into wooden merry-go-round carousel horses and the legacy started its official journey.

When Les and Lavina retired, their children took the show over. James and Ivory Jackson formed their own show called, “Jackson’s United Shows.” They operated the carnival business for 64 years, raising their four children and they traveled all over. The Belle Fair held many fond memories for them over the years. The children were always greeted by friends on bicycles or horses — just waiting for the carnival to pull into town. A local church would purposely hold their vacation Bible school the week of the fair to ensure the Jackson grandchildren could attend. The church would even send a van to pick them up from the fairgrounds. The grandchildren can remember swimming in the creek and all of the barefoot summer days, free cotton candy and rides with friends they only got to visit one week of the year. They helped the kids with their animals and sometimes shared chores in the barns, watched the parades, and sold popcorn in the grandstands until their legs were sore from climbing up and down the steps. It was something they looked forward to every year. Tamara Jackson-Jones of Sonshine Amusements stated, “Lifelong friends were formed in Belle and now are extended relationships to the great-grandchildren.”

When James and Ivory decided to retire, their children continued the shows. Jim and Annie Jackson owned J & J Magic Midway. Spirit Enterprises was owned by son Michael W. Jackson and Trinity Amusements was owned by Russel and Annette Jackson and now daughter, Tamara Jackson-Jones and her husband, Darrell, owning Sonshine Amusements. Sonshine Amusements will be returning this year to the 75th Annual Belle Fair with many amusement rides, sweet treats and awesome games for all ages.

Here are a few fun facts about the Jackson family. In 1963, Les Jackson purchased the “Loop-O-plane,” to entertain the younger generation. This amusement ride was part of his show until it was passed down in 1976. His son, Jim, Sr., took over it’s ownership until 1995, it was then passed down to his son, Jim Jr., and is now owned by daughter, Tamara Jackson-Jones and family. The official name of the “Loop-O-plane” is also known to many generations as the world-famous “hammer” ride.

This very amusing ride is still making its rounds entertaining generations of all ages around the states. Sonshine Amusements own a ferris wheel that was brought over to the states from Poland. Chris Cook (former Belle resident now pastor and resident of Columbia, Mo.,) travels to Poland for ministry trips. Chris Cook takes photos of the ferris wheel on all his trips to show individuals there. Chris stated in interview, “I take a piece of Sonshine Amusements and my hometown with me when I travel to Poland.”

Belle and surrounding communities have been blessed with the Jackson legacy. Many years of memories have been made because of one man’s dream to bring smiles, laughter and love to the hearts of the younger generation. But, who are we kidding? The Jackson legacy has brought laughter to generations of all ages.

The legacy was created by one pony, named “Trigger,” that has now extended through five generations of the Jackson family.

Please join us at the 75th Annual Belle Fair on June 28 through July 1 as we celebrate our Diamond Era. Our years of memories couldn’t have been made possible without the Jackson legacy. Sonshine Amusements, owned by Darrell and Tamara Jackson-Jones, Ed and Ashley Noerper and Joe Jackson, will be entering the community just a few short days before the fair will begin. Be sure to stop by say hello and hear all kinds of stories and memories over the years.