CarnivalWarehouse.com
THE #1 NEWS SOURCE
FOR CARNIVALS, FAIRS & EVENTS
Carnival & Fair News
Attendance rose at the L.A. County Fair this year, which had a Route 66 theme. The 19 day event saw a boost of 1.6 percent in overall attendance and a paid-attendance increase of 5 percent over ......[read more]
Wold Amusements, Inc. located in Hanford, Calif. has been an on-going purveyor of amusement rides, games, and food to festivals and fairs for 35 years, or “many moons” as owner Jason Wold ......[read more]
The 114th annual Kentucky State Fair welcomed 614,470 visitors for 2018. The turnout was said to be the second highest attendance on record since 2009. Cody Patterson, director of communications for ......[read more]
Few things improve the attitude of local and county fairs than a new infusion of governmental financial support. That was exactly was the good news that the annual gathering of the Illinois ......[read more]
Rocken Graphics has been in business since 2000 and provides amusement industry graphics for tents, banners, ballys, signage, stickers and flags. With its work done in-house, the company conveniently ......[read more]
The Great New York State Fair had a record attendance and opened a new Expo Center, the capstone of a multiyear fairground improvement and renovation project. In the Empire State, a rising tide ......[read more]
You couldn't have asked for better weather during the 2019 IISF Trade Show. Every day was sunny, warm, but not too hot, and there was certainly plenty to see and do at the show. While the ......[read more]
Thursday, day three of the annual IISF trade show, saw light crowds despite beautiful sunny weather for the third day in a row. Many vendors claimed traffic was slow but several new sales were ......[read more]
Another beautiful day was in store for attendees of the annual IISF Trade Show on Tuesday, February 6th. Sunny weather reached the 80s which was a nice treat for those traveling from up north ......[read more]
The 2019 IISF Trade Show could not have started with better weather and hopefully the sunny skies will be indicative of the season to come. Blue skies and beautiful weather met those attending ......[read more]
The Dutch amusement ride company KMG was founded in 1989 and has been manufacturing amusement rides ever since. Located in Neede, Gelderland, Netherlands, KMG has constructed more than 300 rides to ......[read more]
Galaxy Amusement Sales is a specialty distributor of industry-leading electrical, lighting, LED, sound, special effects, paint and ride parts. The company is located in Tampa, Florida, and boasts ......[read more]
Networking, fellowship and the latest in rides, equipment, plush and other carnival products await attendees to the 2019 International Independent Showmen's Association's IISF trade show. The first ......[read more]
Founded in 1995, New Jersey-based Rides-4-U, Inc is one of the largest used ride brokers in the country. Not only serving as a ride broker, the company is known as a one-stop-shop for all its ......[read more]
Located in Patterson, Calif., for carnival operator Teaco, it’s all about family fun. In business for 23 years, owner Tom Eachus was joined by partner Hugo Dominguez two years ago, and the pair ......[read more]
Summer is heatwave season, to state the obvious. The 2018 Missouri State Fair was plagued by an intense heatwave – compounding the drought conditions that have negatively impacted the state's ......[read more]
Last year, severe snow and -10 temperatures impeded the 98thannual convention of The Indiana Association of Fairs (INAF). Clear skies and January thaw temps in the 40s proved to be the ......[read more]
Cooperative weather, new programs aligned with a changing community, a better economic climate and a new contract for its grandstand entertainment all contributed to making the 2018 New Mexico State ......[read more]
Champlain Valley Fair, the largest annual event in Vermont, took place from Aug. 24 through Sept. 2. The theme this year was The 10 Best Days of Summer. Fairgoers enjoyed fantastic weather for ......[read more]
Bob Johnson not only helmed the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) for 24 years as its president and CEO, but was at the forefront in navigating its complicated and ......[read more]
Based out of Colton, Calif., Helm & Sons Amusements provides amusement rides and attractions to fairs, festivals, community events, corporate rentals, and movie productions throughout the state ......[read more]
Like several fairs in 2019, extreme weather forced a full day of closure for the Arizona State Fair and a steep dip in attendance. Unfortunately the day was a high-attendance Saturday, taking a ......[read more]
The largest association of U.S. carnival companies starts the new year with the a new president whose background includes nearly a quarter century of overseeing midway operations for one of the ......[read more]
Increased convention attendance, positive outlook among fairs and new interest by national carnival companies in the Ohio fair market highlighted the annual convention of the Ohio Fair Managers ......[read more]
In response to the Department of Labor receiving over 97,000 applications for the 33,000 available H-2B visas for the second half of the FY2019 cap, Reps. Harris (R-ME) and Pingree (D-ME) and ......[read more]
Running from October 25th to November 11th, the State Fair of Louisiana celebrated its 112th year with a wide range of foodie treats – fair food with super powers – as well as offering a ......[read more]
Located in Kapolei, Hawaii on the island of Oahu, E.K. Fernandez Shows Inc. may be the only carnival purveyor in the U.S. with a home base of a tropical island. According to executive administrator ......[read more]
Due to a major heat wave, the California State Fair posted low attendance figures – the lowest in 20 years. 572,250 visitors came during the fair’s 17-day run. This was a substantial drop ......[read more]
Greg Chiecko, a results-oriented proven leader with extensive and diverse experience in the outdoor amusement business and fair industry has been selected by the OABA Board to lead the mobile ......[read more]
2018 Top Carnival Companies: Improved Economy and Better Price Promotions Highlight Challenging Fair
North American Midway Entertainment (NAME) retained its top spot as the leading midway provider to the Top 50 fairs in 2018. Carnivalwarehouse.com annually compiles a ranked listing of the Top-50 ......[read more]
Lancaster, Calif. may be only 90 minutes from the heart of Los Angeles, but the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival is every bit a community event that could be at home in any more rural ......[read more]
Celebrating 22 years in business, Browns Amusements is a family-owned company that is steadily growing. Danny and Sherry Brown are in the second generation of industry people, and as Danny Brown ......[read more]
This year broke records for the Humboldt County Fair, with attendance up 11%, close to $267,000 in admission fees, and bringing in more than $700,000 overall than last year. According to fair CEO ......[read more]
Despite triple-digit heat, the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles had attendance numbers that were slightly higher than the 428,615 from the official fair attendance tally in 2017. While the ......[read more]
If there’s any doubt to the continuing popularity, consider that 43,527,187 individuals attended the Top-50 fairs in North America in 2018. This figure doesn’t take into account the ......[read more]
Frazier Shows has had a busy season, with their 2018 route just closing mid-November at the Fort McDowell, Ariz. rodeo grounds; and when the 2019 season starts up for the company, they will also ......[read more]
It is often easy to get caught up in all the glittering lights, entertainment and tantalizing food smells of a county fair, losing oneself in all the distractions, at times forgetting the essence of ......[read more]
In spite of some negative publicity from an unfortunate accident, the Alabama State Fair was another successful event for Universal Fairs, an independent producer of fairs and other events. The ......[read more]
Arizona-based Ray Cammack Shows is planning to debut a major new ride in 2019. According to the company’s vice president, Ben Pickett, “We just took possession of the very first 55m ......[read more]
There’s nothing like a new facility to boost a fair. Debuting at the 2018 was a comprehensive makeover to one of the most historic facilities at the New Jersey State Fair, the Richards ......[read more]
Towards the top of the list of nightmares for the opening day of your first fair as fair manager is having to cancel opening day. For Kent Yelverton this scenario was not just a bad dream, but real ......[read more]
According to co-owner Chris Barton, Pride of Texas Shows is a family business that’s born – and bred to continue. Working with his father, Doug Barton, the two have over 40 years of ......[read more]
The Great Allentown Fair, which ran from Aug. 28 through Sept. 3, celebrated its 166th year this summer. The first few days of the 2018 fair were off to a bit of a rough start with the weather, which ......[read more]
The 2019 IAFE Trade Show came to a close on Wednesday. This was the first convention outside of Las Vegas in over 40 years and the move has been much anticipated and talked about over the past few ......[read more]
Day 2 of the IAFE convention and trade show was also the second and final day of the SLA Exhibitor’s Lounge held at the Marriott Rivercenter in downtown San Antonio. Showmen's League ......[read more]
The 2018 IAFE Trade Show kicked off in San Antonio for the first time on Monday, November 26th. After over four decades in Las Vegas, the organization made the bold to transition to San Antonio.The ......[read more]
Everyone’s Fair – that was the tagline for the 2018 Delta Fair & Music Festival held in Memphis, Tenn. According to fair organizer, Mark Lovell, president of Universal Fairs, the ......[read more]
After at least four decades in Las Vegas, the largest annual gathering of fairs of all sizes and categories and the multitude of their business and service partners will take place in a new city and ......[read more]
The State Fair of West Virginia returned to Fairlea, August 9 through August 18. The theme was “Unforgettable Fun” – a theme geared toward helping fair goers create unforgettable ......[read more]
Ideal weather, a high-tech marketing campaign and increased attendance – few retiring fair managers close their careers on as high a note as David Sparks struck with the 2018 Dixie Classic Fair ......[read more]
Galaxy New Lighting Concepts; Rides 4-U Crazy Cab Gets Interest; Battech Enterprises Downdraft Sales
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) shattered records during the association’s 100th anniversary celebration. IAAPA had both a record attendance and the ......[read more]
Walking the halls of the IAAPA Trade Show reveals plenty of new and novel rides. The industry, with all the competition among manufacturers, and buyers seeking new thrills, is constantly inno-vating ......[read more]
Day two of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) was another busy day of large crowds, new announcements and educational sessions.IAAPA brings together amusement ......[read more]
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Trade Show kicked off at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Tuesday, November 13th. The 2018 show features well ......[read more]
Following up a record breaking year is the welcomed challenge facing the largest outdoor facility & event organization in the world. The International Association of Amusement Parks and ......[read more]
A changing of the generational guards is coming to one of the leading US manufacturers of carnival rides. Jared Davis, is a 5th generation carnival professional has taken over the reins at Wisdom ......[read more]
The Broward County Fair will return from Friday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Dec. 2 at its new location at The Big Easy Casino, located along Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The fair's new ......[read more]
The 11-day Oregon State Fair, held in Salem, offered a mix of new events and long-time favorites according to fair spokesperson Dan Cox. The late August fair, which began 153 years ago, still offers ......[read more]
US CIS has already received applications for 20,733 H-2B workers, up 40% from the same time last year and 63% of the total number that are currently available for the first half of the fiscal ......[read more]
At Christiansen Amusements, new rides were added in 2018, but the company’s adherence to old fashioned family fun in a world driven by stay-at-home technology hasn’t changed, according to ......[read more]
Charles Dickens famously said it was the best of times; it was the worst of times.When asked how the 2018 Oklahoma State Fair went, J. Scott Munz, Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations ......[read more]
According to South Dakota State Fair assistant manager Candi Briley, the South Dakota State Fair, which closed September 3rd, lived up to its tag line this year “Experience the ......[read more]
Rain impeded the 163rd Bloomsburg Fair in Bloomsburg County, PA., but, an appealing concert lineup, a stronger social media presence and a new midway company, Amusements of America, kept the losses ......[read more]
For carnival operator Jerry Murphy, partnership is a good thing – and good for business. “We’ve been bringing in partners into our ventures, depending on the fair. One of our major ......[read more]
Running August 2 through 12th, the Sonoma County Fair offered a Salute to Heroes theme as it entered its 82nd year of fun and thrills. According to publicity coordinator Emily Janowski, the fair ......[read more]
York Fair is one of the country's most prominent fairs and has quite the history. Known as America's first fair, the York Fair was held in the historic old town of York in 1765. It is said that the ......[read more]
It’s always good to start your first fair with an attendance increase. The 20018 Erie County Fair – perennially billed as “Best 12 Days of Summer” – drew 1,198,789. This ......[read more]
With a wide range of eclectic events and exhibitions, the Sonoma-Marin Fair offers something for everyone. The annual June fair is located in Petaluma, Calif., and ran the 20th to the 24th this year, ......[read more]
Not when it comes to the 137th Maryland State Fair, whose 2018 marketing campaign proudly broadcasted the annual celebration of everything Maryland’s commitment to culture. In fact, the entire ......[read more]
Few fairs enjoyed as bright a spotlight as the Great New York State Fair this summer. As has been typical, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo showed up on opening day to kick off the annual celebration of ......[read more]
The Gaston All American Fair in Gastonia North Carolina may seem like a first time event, but in reality was a revival of a county fair that had almost been forgotten.According to Melanie ......[read more]
The renowned “Sideshow King,” Ward Hall passed away at age 88. Considered the modern-day P.T. Barnum, Hall was well known throughout the carnival industry for his World of Wonders ......[read more]
According to communications supervisor Lara Hughes, the Minnesota State Fair had plenty to sing about this year – with the large scale One Giant Sing Along event, 12 Grandstand musical ......[read more]
Located in Pleasanton, Calif., the Alameda County Fair said “Hello to Summer” – the fair’s theme - in a big way, starting with an opening-day cattle drive down Main Street. ......[read more]
Alongside the midway and entertainment, fair food is cited as one of the top three reasons to go to the fair. The Wisconsin State Fair has long publicized its diverse array of fair cuisine. Its ......[read more]
The Nebraska State Fair had the kind of record a first time fair manager would prefer not to accomplish – record rainfall. An estimated 5.74 inches in 14 days, preceding and including the fair. ......[read more]
The Big Butler Fair returned for 2018 from June 29 through July 7 in Prospect, Pennsylvania. Now in its 163rd year, the Big Butler Fair is often known as the largest agricultural fair in Western ......[read more]
After more than a quarter of a century, one of the leading state fairs in the Midwest has switched carnival companies. Following an extensive Request for Proposal (RFP) that involved some of the ......[read more]
Is big name entertainment still a viable option for state fairs? A grandstand-filling fair staple for decades, more recently rising costs ranging from musician fees, commissions and improved ......[read more]
The once-sleepy suburban seaside town of HermosaBeach, Calif. has grown and thrived, and so, too has the Hermosa Beach Fiesta, with carnival rides, food booths, arts and crafts, and live music. The ......[read more]
The Ohio State Fair announced today that they signed a four-year contract with Talley Amusements to provide the rides at the fair begining in 2019. “Talley Amusements is honored to be ......[read more]
No opening of any 2018 fair was as widely anticipated as that of the Ohio State Fair. Last year, a fatal accident on the Amusements of America midway left an 18-year-old dead and seven others ......[read more]
Jay Strates, 2018 OABA Chairman announced today that President Bob Johson will retire in February of 2019. Below is a copy of the official statement from Jay Strates and the OABA.Last month, ......[read more]
The Delaware State Fair turns 100 next year. In addition to promoting this year’s event, marketing the 99th also needed to build momentum towards next year’s centennial fair.Your Summer ......[read more]
Morris Vivona, Sr., the Chairman of the Board of Amusements of America and the eldest of the company’s five Vivona brothers, passed away Saturday, August 25th at the age of 97. Born October 31, ......[read more]
Citing rising costs, increased competition from festivals, casinos and other venues, and the diminishing drawing power of many headliners, more and more fairs have been removing separate ticketed ......[read more]
At 179, the Erie County Fair in New York may be one of the oldest fair in the country and for the past 94 of those years the James E. Strates Shows has been the fair’s carnival company. The ......[read more]
Attendees at the 74th annual Santa Clara County Fair enjoyed a mix of the old and the new during the fair’s run August 2nd through 5th. According to fair manager and fairgrounds director of ......[read more]
Two of the biggest players on any fair season have favored the Canadian unit of NAME (North American Midway Entertainment) route this summer: Climate and disposable income.“The weatherman and ......[read more]
Running June 30 through July 4th, the Marin County Fair in San Rafael, Calif., offered the perfect place to celebrate Independence Day weekend. With free music concerts, fine art, carnival rides, and ......[read more]
The pressure was on leading up to the 2018 Ohio State Fair, one of the biggest events of the year for Amusements of America. Last year, an accident on a KMG manufactured Fire Ball left one rider dead ......[read more]
The Salem Fair, billed asthe largest free gate fair in America, kicked off with a rough start this season. The well-known Virginia fair ran from July 3 through July 15. Opening night was a bit of a ......[read more]
For over 70 years, the National City Host Lions Club and the town of National City have co-sponsored a fun event for area residents on the 4th of July. Their annual Fourth of July Carnival at the ......[read more]
The fair season begins in January in Texas for Carnival Americana, and travels the Western region of the U.S., including stops in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota before returning to Texas to ......[read more]
Terry Schmidt, founder of TJ Schmidt & Company, passed away on July 21, from complications due to Leukemia. One of the leading Michigan-based, families –owned carnival companies, TJ Schmidt ......[read more]
Aside from meteorology, the perennial concern for every fair and their carnival company partners is the economy. Is unemployment down or up in any given area? Do families seem to have more or less ......[read more]
The Fair & Fiesta at the Napa County Fairgrounds was a buoyant, throwback experience in 2018. Running May 5 and 6, this year’s fair features included a petting zoo and pony ride; the ......[read more]
This year started off several challenges for Brass Rings Amusements, a Northern California-based carnival company that operate under the moniker Midway of Fun. Foremost of course was the weather and ......[read more]
More is never enough. When it comes to marketing and promotion, the State Fair Meadowlands in New Jersey did not just increase outreach, but took a more innovative approach. Combined with a more ......[read more]
The 93rd annual St. Joseph County Fair ran from June 29 through July 8. The nine-day fair is known for its 4-H involvement. According to the fair website, the fair board strives to foster, encourage ......[read more]
