Brookhaven Fair Posts Record Year J&J Amusements provides midway
6/13/2009
By MCW Staff
Brookhaven, NY - The Fair Productions-produced Brookhaven Fair benefitted from near perfect weather over its three weekend run by attaining record numbers for admission and rides. "We were a little concerned about the economy, however the value we offered to the people at an affordable price, coupled with great weather, resulted in a record year for us", said Brian Schuman, of Fair Productions.
In fact, the fair had a great deal of free entertainment for visitors. Serge Coronas and his family booked their circus complete with high wire act, globe of death riders, horse show and clowns. The Coronas family also had a petting zoo with exotic animals such as a giraffe, kangaroo, monkeys and an alpaca. Sergie Coronas also ran the Hollywood Pig Races at the event. Rounding out the entertainment, Lance Gifford brought his stage and magic show performing to packed crowds each day. Also on the stage, karaoke, musical acts and local entertainment also helped to keep the crowds entertained.
To promote the event Schuman spends a budget in the hundreds of thousands to advertise in the expensive Long Island, NY area market. Schuman uses a mix of radio, television, newspapers and good old-fashioned coupons, posters and signs to get the word out. The company also has an extensive list of email addresses from repeat customers who have asked for information over the years. The customers are then emailed information and offers from the event.
Perhaps the most successful promotion in this struggling economy was the fair,s two for one offer that was available each day until 7pm. With a coupon from local merchants or from the fair,s website, guests could get one free admission with the purchase of a gate ticket for $8. This very successful promotion helped to drive attendance throughout the fair,s three weekend run.
J&J Amusements provided the midway for the Brookhaven Fair, presenting 35 rides and attractions. J&J made their second appearance at the fair, having played the event once before in 2005.
The midway had several spectacular rides including the Giant Wheel, Orbiter, Rock N, Roll, Super Loops, Sea Ray, Fireball and Wave Swinger. Also making a debut at the fair was J&J,s newly refurbished Sky Wheel.
Weather and large crowds helped boost ride grosses to record levels including several single day benchmarks.
The newest face on J&J,s midway is Steve Ianni, joining the show as their lotman. Ianni woked in the same capacity for Amusements of America for many years before joining J&J.
Ianni also had several games at the Brookhaven Fair including two water races, a machine gun, long range, drag-a-fish, and rope ladder. He reported "very respectable grosses" for his first time at the event.
Other game operators included Joey Sheldon, Larry Fein, Pal Fontana, George Stevens, Matt Campi, Brad Klingenmeyer, Victor Douglas and Jim Gudenkauf.
Among the concessionaires on the independent midway were Peter,s Fine Foods with Greek food, zeppoles from R&A Zeppoles, Fontana Foods with a grab, pizza and funnel cakes and John Doolan with a grab.
From Brookhaven, many of the attractions and food concessionaires moved to the Nassau Coliseum Fair which is also produced by Fair Productions. The four weekend event will open June 12th and conclude July 5th.
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