Several weeks after the carnival left town, folks are still amazed that this longtime Bristol Fourth of July Celebration event is able to draw adults and children at a record-breaking pace.

According to longtime Bristol Fourth of July Committee member Ed Correia, who chairs the local Fourth of July Carnival Committee, Rockwell Amusements and Promotions, the group which brings this event to town each year, takes pride in the fact the carnival is the second most popular July 4th event on the calendar in Bristol each year.

“I think some people are amazed that aside from the annual Fourth of July Parade itself, the carnival is the second most popular fun-filled event by far,” said Correia. “And it’s not by accident.”

Correia said that Rockwell Amusements owner Harold Fera, 75, has always maintained a safety-first and cleanliness attitude when it comes to showcasing his highly-rated product.

Times may have changed, but Rockwell Amusements and Promotions maintain its lofty position as one of the premier carnival outfits anywhere in the Northeast. And to have this carnival in full swing each summer is a testimony to Fera’s insistence of having the finest product in place for all to enjoy.

While some other carnivals have come and gone here in Bristol, Correia remembers the days of former carnival icon Kid Hope and the positive carnival influence he had on the community.

“Having been born and raised in Bristol, I still get excited when the carnival comes to town, and I’m 82 years old,” he said. “It’s still one of the Fourth of July main attractions each year.”

It’s a known fact that the Bristol Town Common is the best place for carnivals to flourish.

“We’ve gone to a couple of other locations in the past,” Correia pointed out, “But in the end, the beautiful, centrally-located Town Common is the best place.”

Fera feels the same way.

Born and raised in Providence, Harold Fera moved to North Providence, where he later graduated from high school. His father worked as a truck driver and together with other family members formed Fera Brothers Shows. His grandfather ran concessions at Rocky Point. Since then, for the past 54 years, Harold Fera has owned and operated Rockwell Amusements and Promotions.

Servicing the New England area, mainly Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire, Rockwell Amusements prides itself “in creating an amazing and memorable event for civic and social organizations, park and recreation department, school and university, athletic organization and club, church, firemen and policemen association, fair or other organization that the whole community can enjoy.”

As Ed Correia explained, working as chairman of the Bristol Fourth of July Carnival Subcommittee for the last 18 years has been a great experience for him, as well as dealing directly with Fera.

“His family is great to worth with,” he said. “They’ve always run a safe, clean carnival. They always make sure the Common was cleaned every day during their stay in town. Mr. Fera’s staff is very polite who have treated their customers very well. He always had a first-class operation.”

Correia also applauded the efforts of Bristol Dept. of Public Works director Chris Parella.

“He has been very helpful with everything and anything connected with the carnival,” he said.

In a recent interview with Fera, it was quite obvious that Bristol was one of his favorite stops each year on the carnival trail.

“I worked my whole life to get to this point,” he said, his eyes welling up with tears. “It’s sad that some carnivals are falling by the wayside. I don’t know what the future holds. I do know that the Town Common is the best location and we have the safest carnival. We have a great staff and we always make sure everything is safe.”

Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente agrees that the Fourth of July Carnival is something people of all ages appreciate.

“The annual carnival on the Bristol Town Common is a special time when the youngest circle their first ride, young people try the rides with friends, and families can get a look high above Bristol,” he said. “The carnival is a great place to make summer memories.”

Former Bristol Town Councilman Edward P. Stuart, Jr. says carnival life in Bristol during the summer was always and still is a pleasurable experience.

“What I do remember, the carnival was Coleman Brothers before Rockwell Amusements,” he noted. “You always knew when the time was coming as you drove by the field next to the Bristol DPW and saw the first camper set up. Coleman Brothers brought a carnival which not only had rides but also offered a circus-like venue. It took three quarters of the Common to occupy.”

He continued, “Many families always look forward to bringing their young children for their first memorable kiddie ride. While the adults look forward to their yearly indulgence of dough boys and candy apples. This is a yearly event for visiting families to enjoy together the nostalgic carnival experience. I commend Ed Correia and the whole Fourth of July Committee for keeping this tradition going along with all the other events. The most important piece and was always a great concern is how the Town Common is kept in such great condition at the conclusion. We are also very fortunate for our top notch Police Department who not only patrol the carnival but take a special interest in talking with all the children of all ages and their families. Also, our dedicated volunteer fire department members who are on hand in case of an emergency with so many people in one area.”

Mr. Stuart, an historian of sorts, believes, like most others, that the Town Common is the one place which makes the Fourth of July carnival so very special.

“The Town Common is the pillar and cornerstone of the Town of Bristol,” he said. “This town square to me represents the real sense of history and community. As a Town Councilor, I remember many meetings regarding any proposed events or changes to this landmark. We always discussed with the utmost diligence and understanding in regards to its past, present, and future. This included any changes to the elementary schools which bear the names of our town's forefathers John Walley and Nathaniel Byfield. Any removal of the majestic sequoia trees which welcomed people from the four corners of the common. As you walk along any corner to the center you would be met with the iconic stone bandstand of years past which was replaced with a beautiful wooden gazebo...a centerpiece which holds our town's history in a time capsule.”

For Harold Fera, there’s no place like Bristol on the Fourth of July, and as long as he’s able to bring his famous carnival to town, you can bet he’ll continue to make a lot of people, young and old, happy.