CALDWELL — A large, red-and-white tent found in the center of the Canyon County Fairgrounds has become Alison Terrill’s summer job for the last three years.
She’s a pupper — a Pronto Pup employee. Terrill makes battered-and-fried dogs on a stick and pours cold lemonade for fairgoers.
“This job as been a life changing experience,” Terrill said. “It’s hard work, but a blast.”
The Lowell Scott Middle School counselor started working the booth to spend more time with her daughter, who also worked there, before she headed to college. Three years later, she is now working with her son.
Terrill earns $7.25 per hour, working more than 150 hours from June through August. The more corn dogs and lemonade sold, the bigger a bonus check Terrill receives.
“It’s nice to have a cushion of extra money in the summer,” Terrill said. “I do this job by choice.”
Terrill sells Pronto Pup’s throughout the Treasure Valley at summer events, including the Boise Music Festival, Boise’s Art in the Park and the Western Idaho Fair. Her duties include ringing up customers, dipping and frying the Pronto Pups, serving lemonade and helping set up and tear down the tent.
“People come to the fair just for a Pronto Pup, I want to make it a fun experience for customers,” Terrill said. “I love talking to people and I tend to work the register a lot.”
A counselor for 15 years, Terrill enjoys working with other educators in the Pronto Pup tent because of the relationships that are built.
“As educators, it’s fun to reminisce and socialize while serving at events,” said Cathy Lynch, a teacher at Boise’s Valley View Elementary School. “Working with Alison is always a fun time.”
This is the sixth in a series of stories on educators and their summer jobs.
Administrator spends summers rolling in the dirt and smoke
Educator spends the summer as a landscaper
Music teachers take the stage in summer musical
