Rides 4-U Debuts New Mini-Break Dance at IAAPA
IAAPA 2017 Day 1 Coverage
The 2017 edition of the IAAPA Attractions Expo opened to large crowds on Tuesday at 10am. Attendance figures for the first day of the trade show have yet to be announced, however, the floor was packed with industry buyers and attendees. Due to the large volume of crowds, the convention center parking lot was at capacity as early as noon on opening day.
Rides 4-U
One of the largest ride exhibitors at the trade show was Rides 4-U, representing SBF/Visa, Wisdom Rides, E-Works LED Packages, as well a broker of many used rides within the amusement park and carnival industry.
Rides 4-U was proud to introduce a new attraction, dubbed a Mini-Break Dancer, built by SBF/Visa. Company President, Len Soled was happy to announce that his company sold three of the new rides to the family entertainment center / amusement park sector of the business. "Its going to be a really strong piece for the FEC industry", said Soled of the new compact attraction. The Mini Break Dancer on display is a park model, however, plans are in the works to develop a trailer mounted version. "We have some interest from carnivals and hope to have the first portable model sold this week during the show", said Soled. The portable version is available for a June 2017 delivery. A park model of the ride will be on display in Gibtown, and Soled hopes to have an artist's rendering of the portable version available.
Also on display at the Rides 4-U booth is a SBF/Visa Drop N' Twist Drop Tower, which has been on display the last couple of years. "The Drop N' Twist has been very popular because of its pneumatic drive and portability" said Soled.
Another old but perennially popular attraction Soled hopes to have on display in Gibtown is a new version of the popular Frog Hopper kiddie ride, now built by Wisdom Industries. The popular kiddie drop tower was previously built by S&S Power, however, the manufacturing rights were sold to Wisdom so that S&S could concentrate on building larger park attractions. "We sold the first park model of the Wisdom Frog Hopper and are working on building the trailer mounted version", Soled said.
"We sold several used pieces prior to the IAAPA Show. We're planning on visiting with a lot of carnivals during the trade show. I just hope we can produce it all in time", stated Soled.
Rocken Graphics
Kenny Smith's Rocken Graphics made its second appearance exhibiting at IAAPA. The company introduced a new tent product to the industry. Digitally printed tent tops and canvas have been a popular, attractive alternative to tops traditionally made of cut vinyl in solid colors, however, most digitally printed canvas products were printed on white material and always had a white backing. Smith's new product features a digitally printed design, with a color vinyl backing.
"Our dual colored canvas is a proprietary formulation that we came up with", Smith said. The product is printed on a 16oz tent material and reinforced at all the main stress points. "All of our products are manufactured from start to finish at our shop in Gibsonton (FL). Our frames are built in house. We handle everything from concept to completion and can control every aspect of it", Smith said. Smith was happy to announce that his company just completed a 2500 square foot addition to its building in Gibtown to help ramp up production.
In addition to Rocken Graphic's digitally printed tent tops, canvas products, and vinyl wraps, Smith's company started producing tent pole canvas wraps that wrap around the vertical tent legs on framed center joints. "It adds some extra flash and color to the joint", Smith said of the new product.
In addition to IAAPA, Rocken Graphics plans on exhibiting at this years IISF Trade Show in Gibsonton.
Galaxy Amusement Sales
Galaxy Amusement Sales sported a brightly lit booth on the trade show floor, adorned with dozens of new LED sign products that are sure to catch the eye of trade show buyers. "As the lead distributor for all of North America, we try and come up with new and exciting stuff for carnivals", said company president Scott Kunz.
A new product from Galaxy on display is a new Information kiosk, which is a free standing truss product that can be used to display signage on the midway. Fixed on top of the truss is a large lighted sign, customized for the client. On display at the trade show is a kiosk for Butler Amusements which displays a map of one of their fairs under a large lighted sign in the shape of their logo. At the base of the kiosk is a place for flower planters. "Some shows can put flowers at the base, and for others we can build benches around the bottom", explained Kunz.
A big part of Galaxy's business has been custom LED lit signs, customized to any application. Whether its food products for concession stands or a logo for a marquee or giant wheel, the custom signs can be used for a variety of applications. The signs can be built to be backlit with LED lights on the outside or non-backlit with LEDs on the front.
A new 15x15ft center joint constructed from Galaxy's truss system will debut in Gibtown. Kunz is excited about the new product and has received a lot of interest in it fromcustomers.
Kissel Entertainment
Russ and Tammy Kissel of Kissel Entertainment were busy on their first day at the show. Russ is anxiously awaiting delivery of its new KMG Speed which will be delivered during the IISF Trade Show in Gibsonton this February. The ride will have a custom theme, called Alter Ego, and will have a full backwall, and a lot of extra lighting and paint.
Additionally, Kissel is in the market for a spectacular roller coaster. "We have not decided on a model yet, but we have meetings lined up with different manufacturers this week", explained Kissel.
The show is well known for its unique attractions, including a Chance Astro Wheel, which is the only ride of its type being moved east of the Mississippi. This fall, Kissel purchased a second Astro Wheel, previously owned by Smokey's Greater Shows of Maine. The show plans to refurbish both wheels this winter, including outfitting them with an LED package. "I want the LED package to look like the original fluorescent lighting", described Kissel. The show will use the wheels on both of their units, and set both up on the midway when their units combine for some of their larger fairs.
Tammy and Russ are awaiting the birth of their first grandchild this December. Kissel's eldest daughter, Savannah and son-in-law Nick Siebert, are expecting a baby girl on December 22, six days after the couple celebrates their first wedding anniversary.
Stay tuned for additional coverage on the 2017 IAAPA Expo.
2017 IAAPA Trade Show Coverage
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