When you think about carnival rides, you probably think about fun. Bright lights. Laughter. Spinning wheels. But for Darren Janesky, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes.
Darren is the owner of Big Round Wheel Amusements. He lives and works in Blacksburg, South Carolina. His job is simple to explain but hard to do well—he rents and sets up amusement rides. These rides go to events, marketing campaigns, and public carnivals. But if you ask him what his work is really about, he’ll tell you one thing: safety.
“Safety is everything,” Darren says. “If we’re not safe, we’re not in business. It’s that simple.”
He’s not just repeating a rule. He lives it. Darren writes detailed safety manuals for his rides. He even makes videos that show how the rides are built and inspected. He shares these with clients and the public. “People deserve to know that what they’re riding is secure,” he adds.
Darren didn’t grow up in the amusement industry. He was born in Milford, Connecticut in 1973. He graduated from Platt RVTS in 1992 and moved to South Carolina. That’s where he started his company. He’s been building it ever since.
Over the years, Big Round Wheel Amusements has grown. Darren and his team now work with big companies and high-end clients. But you won’t hear him brag about it. “We do a lot of work that people don’t see,” he says. “Sometimes the best events are the ones where no one knows we were there.”
He sees amusement rides as more than entertainment. They’re tools for connection. For business. For memories. In recent years, he’s worked with companies to use rides in marketing projects. A Ferris wheel covered in a brand’s colors. Bumper cars at a pop-up event. It’s all part of a trend called experiential marketing.
“The rides catch the eye,” Darren says. “They create a moment people remember.”
He’s also bringing that idea to new places. Darren is expanding his business into international markets. He’s shown his rides at the Dubai Entertainment and Leisure (DEAL) exhibition. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar are looking to grow their tourism industries. Portable rides offer something unique—mobility, fun, and a familiar American feel.
“I’m not just looking for new markets,” he explains. “I want to work with people who care about quality and safety the same way I do.”
Darren takes pride in doing things right. He tests ideas before rolling them out. He avoids shortcuts. “You don’t need a million customers,” he says. “You just need the right ones—the ones who understand what you’re trying to do.”
That mindset shows up in how he gives back, too. Darren often sets up carnivals for kids from foster homes or low-income families. They get to ride for free. “I’ve seen kids who’ve never been to a carnival before,” he says. “They light up. And for a few hours, they get to just be kids.”
Outside of his business, Darren serves on the Blacksburg Town Council. He’s held the role since 2011. He’s also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Cherokee County Hospice, and served as a Guardian ad Litem for children in court.
He doesn’t separate his work life from his values. “Business doesn’t exist in a vacuum,” he says. “If you invest in your community, your business will thrive too—not just in revenue, but in reputation and fulfillment.”
Despite his calm nature, Darren doesn’t avoid hard situations. He knows setbacks come with the job. Delays, broken parts, bad weather—he’s seen it all. But he doesn’t panic. “You make a list. You prioritize. And you start checking things off,” he says. “That’s how you save a project before it becomes a crisis.”
Looking ahead, Darren wants to keep growing. Not just in size, but in reach. He’s interested in helping new companies in other countries start their own amusement operations. He wants to share what he’s learned, especially about safety and mobile ride setup.
“I like building things that move,” he says. “I like seeing people smile. And I like knowing that I had a part in making that happen.”
In the end, Darren Janesky isn’t chasing headlines. He’s building a business one bolt, one ride, one happy memory at a time.
“I don’t need to be the face of the show,” he says. “I just want to know the show is running safely, and that people are having a good time.”
Read more:
Wheels in Motion: How Darren Janesky Brings Joy, One Ride at a Time