History’s “American Pickers: Best Of” is taking a spin on the nostalgia carousel this week with “Carnival Classics.” Mike Wolfe and Jersey Jon are on the prowl for rare carnival rides and those glorious relics of a bygone era, vintage coin-operated games. Judging by the teasers, they’re in for a dizzying adventure.
Their hunt takes them to Minnesota, where a four-generation collection stops them in their tracks. It’s an embarrassment of riches – or maybe just an embarrassment, depending on how you view these things. Meanwhile, Frank Fritz faces a wily old carny in Illinois who’s clutching his prized rides like a lifeline. The air is thick with the scent of stale popcorn and the potential for a deal gone south.
The real nail-biter, though, unfolds in an arcade face-off. Picture a dimly lit cavern of vintage coin-op machines, each one whispering tales of misspent youth and sugary delights. The pickers find themselves locking horns with some seasoned collectors, the type who know the value of a well-placed quarter. Who will emerge victorious in this clash of collectors?
Find out on “American Pickers: Best Of: Carnival Classics,” airing Wednesday, April 23 at 9:00 PM ET on History.
