State Fair of Louisiana Signs Talley Amusements to be Next Midway provider
The State Fair of Louisiana announced a new partnership with Talley Amusements to provide the carnival midway at the fair beginning in 2024. In January, the fair requested proposals from ... [read more]
A&A Attractions Experiences A Holiday Season Fire But Readies For A New Season
A&A Attractions has been providing rides, games, and tasty carnival food for 26 seasons, weathering the pandemic, labor shortages, and the ups and downs most amusement companies experience.But ... [read more]
South Florida Fair: Rainy Opening, Teen Violence & Security Issues Slightly Weaken Attendance
As one of the “first” fairs of year, the South Florida Fair is often seen as a bellwether event for the season ahead. If so, then the problem of disruptive teens that has plagued the fair ... [read more]
Durant Amusements Honored with Award from the Greater Ohio Showmen's Association
Located in Russells Point, Ohio, Durant Amusements is helmed by J.R. and Denise Woods. The company offers 26 rides for 2024, but Denise Woods explains “We will be adding to that in 2025 with a ... [read more]
Blue Sky Amusements: A Family Business Thriving with Local Events
Bill and Sue Reiss formed Blue Sky Amusements and Entertainment in 2003, due to the outgrowth of Bill's long-term partnership in Silver Dollar Shows, along with Bob and Kathy DeStefano, who currently ... [read more]
Inclusivity & Universal Accessibility: Sensory-Friendly Days & Spaces Fast Growing Industry Trend
Fairs welcome all community members and in 2023, many welcomed members who often were unable to enjoy the fair, until now. Children on the Autism spectrum as well as those with social anxiety ... [read more]
Wisdom Rides of America Addresses Production Delays; Company to Introduce 4 new Rides this Fall
The post-Pandemic years have been tough for manufacturers and suppliers the world over, and Wisdom Rides of America, in the middle of pre-Pandemic expansion into global markets and the amusement park ... [read more]
H-2B Visa Cap Met for April 1, 2024 Start Dates
On Friday, March 8, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the statutory FY24 second half cap has been met. March 7th was the final day petitions were accepted. DHS also announced ... [read more]
Small Events Add Up To Lots of Fun with Midway West Amusements
As an attractions provider for a wide range of county fairs, carnivals, and city festivals, Midway West Amusements travels a lot of miles to bring amusement fun to smaller events. Michelle Jensen, ... [read more]
Browns Amusements Prepares for 2024 with New Rides & Refurbishments
Danny Brown of Brown's Amusements can't help but feel thankful when he reflects on his 2023 season and prepares for 2024. Surrounded by loving family, loyal employees, and friends in the industry, ... [read more]
2024 Gibtown Trade Show Closes with Plenty of Sales from US & Foreign Ride Manufacturers
Luna Park, Kolmax, Equipment Solutions International, Rides 4-U, & Technical Park report orders from show
As we observed in Part I of our 2024 Gibtown Trade Show wrap up, most manufacturers and suppliers had a very good year at the show. With so many options on hand, buyers were able to choose from a ... [read more]
H-2B Labor Relief Starts with the Carnivals Are Real Entertainment Act (CARE Act H.R. 1787)
Labor relief for the carnival industry begins with contacting your member of congress
Labor shortage is the top challenge faced by the carnival and mobile entertainment industry. For years, many carnivals and food concessionaires have relied on a mix of domestic workers and ... [read more]
IISA Carnival Museum Announces Expansion & Seeks New Curator Following Doc Rivera's Retirement
Jim Frederiksen has done it again! When the International Independent Showmen's Museum needed money to build their building, he donated $1,000,000 in 2010. And now that the museum has ... [read more]
Ride Manufacturers Report Brisk Sales on Final Day of Gibtown Show
As the 2024 IISA Trade Show came to a close, vendors were packing up their booths and counting their sales orders as most of the manufacturers and suppliers we spoke with reported a good week with ... [read more]
Gibtown 2024: Thursday Trade Show Highlights & Supplier Updates
On day three of the IISF Trade Show, the weather was a bit overcast, but warm. The bulletin board, advertising used equipment and for sale items, began to fill up and by Thursday, was full after a ... [read more]
Lifetime Products Showcases New Ticket Kiosks for NAME; KMG Reveals Upcoming Deliveries & New Lunarix Ride at Gibtown Convention
The IISF Trade Show started slow on day 2 but crowds built throughout the day as people streamed through the gates. The mood at the show was generally positive, with most showmen coming off a ... [read more]
2024 IISF Trade Show Kicks off in Gibtown with New Exhibitors & Good Attendance
The IISF Trade Show was in full swing on Tuesday in Gibsonton, FL, and despite fears from some quarters that the splitting of industry organizations might harm the trade show, it seemed the event was ... [read more]
Craftsmen Industries Showcases New Concession Trailer Design & Signage Concepts at Gibtown Show
For more than 40 years, Craftsmen Industries has been the market leader of design, engineering and fabrication of custom industrial mobile solutions, experiential marketing vehicles and large-format ... [read more]
Funtagg to Provide Digital Ticketing for North American Midway Entertainment
North American Midway Entertainment, (NAME), the world's largest carnival company, has chosen FunTagg to provide its digital ticketing solution. NAME, has a massive North American presence, ... [read more]
Rides 4-U To Debut New Ride Concept at 2024 Gibtown Show
Len Soled of Rides 4-U is looking forward to being back on the Gibtown trade shows grounds with some exciting new rides and announcements. The company will have on hand a Mini Pirate Ship as well as ... [read more]
Gibtown 2024: More Exhibitors, More Attendees & Upbeat H-2B Updates
The 2024 Gibtown Trade Show seems poised to become one of the most critical gatherings of the outdoor event and mobile amusement industries of 2024. As the first major industry meeting of the year, ... [read more]
Iconic Midway Rides & Wade Shows to Debut new XXL 'The Kraken' at The Central Florida Fair
Shipping Update: February 28
North America's first touring XXL from KMG is on its way across the Atlantic Ocean in preparation for its long-awaited debut. Iconic Midway Rides / Wade Shows is set to debut ‘The Kraken' ... [read more]
Tomorrow Is Today: NICA & OABA Ready for Season Ahead with Meetings, Workshops & Fare Food Expo
During the week of February 5-9, the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) and the National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA), will host a lineup of meetings and a food trade ... [read more]
Dave Helm, co-founder of Helm & Sons Amusements, Passes
It is with great sadness to report the passing of Dave Helm, Sr., co-founder of Helm & Sons Amusements of Colton, California, on January 31, 2024. Dave was very well respected in the ... [read more]
Elizabeth (Betty) Siefker, Co-Founder of Showmen Supplies, Passes
The family of Elizabeth (Betty) Siefker are sad to share the news of her passing on Sunday, January 28, 2024.Born to Harold M. and Stella Grace (Dunne) Spears on February 22, 1927, in Rockford, IL, ... [read more]
From Story Boards to Tropical Park, Miami's Newest Christmas Fair Redefines Holiday Midways
In Miami, snow never falls and there's no Jack Frost to nip at your nose, but the community has shown decade long support for a Christmas Fair. The nightmare ... [read more]
OABA Names 2024 Hall of Fame and Pioneer Award Inductees Bill Johnson, Johnny Doolan and Eugene Siefker
Ceremonies to Be Held February 9, 2024
The Outdoor Amusement Business Association is pleased to announce its Hall of Fame and Pioneer Award inductees for 2024. Hall of Fame recipients are William (Bill) Johnson and Johnny Doolan; the ... [read more]
C&L Shows Brings New Rides and Bright Lights to the Midway
With a slogan of “The Brightest Lights, The Finest Midway,” C & L shows is marking nearly 41 years in the carnival business.Nick Polakovsky is the general manager ... [read more]
Tina Doolan Passes
Tina Doolan, of Stuart, FL, passed away on Friday, Jan 12, 2024 surrounded by family. Tina was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, a proud business owner, and a good friend and ... [read more]
Tradition Sells! South Carolina Sees High Midway & Record F&B Grosses
Unlucky weather that dampened three evenings and shutdown the last Friday suppressed attendance at the 2023 South Carolina State Fair by about 10,000. The dip however, was compensated by an upticks ... [read more]
Supplemental H-2B Visa Returning Worker Cap Met for First Cap of 2024
FIRST HALF RETURNING WORKER SUPPLEMENTAL CAP MET: USCIS announced on Friday that the first half returning worker supplemental cap was met on January 9th, the final receipt date for petitions ... [read more]
Outdoor Amusement Business Association Announced Key Events for Florida Week
The OABA & NICA are holding their Florida Week activities February 4 – 10 at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel. Educational workshops and a Tabletop Tradeshow are new components in ... [read more]
Fairgoers Came In Droves to Top Fairs in 2023, But Severe Weather & Worrisome Omens Raise Concerns Among Top Midway Providers
If it wasn't for the weather, the fairs would've been even better. This lament seems to best sum up 2023 for the top midway companies in North America. Attendance was high, spending robust, and many ... [read more]
State Fair of Louisiana Requests Proposals from Carnival Operators for the 2024 Fair
The State Fair of Louisiana is requesting proposals from carnival operators to provide high quality rides, food booths and games for the 2024 State Fair of Louisiana. The 2024 State Fair of Louisiana ... [read more]
Industry Veteran, Jane Baxter Vivona Passes - Services Planned for January 22
Dorothy "Jane" Baxter Vivona, 89, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loving husband and family, Thursday, December 28th 2023 at Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital in Georgetown, ... [read more]
Former Tip Top Shows Owner, Alan Larkee Passes
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Alan Larkee who passed away on December 26, 2023 at the age of 82 in Weston, Florida. Born March 15, 1941 to Marvin and Margaret ... [read more]
Kentucky State Fair Sums Up Summer with a Kissel Vibe
Maybe it's the third time that's a charm, but with three consecutive summers of providing a midway for the Kentucky State Fair, the Kissel Entertainment array of rides, games & fair-food has ... [read more]
Chaz Childs Passes
It is with great sadness to report the passing of long time plush salesman, Chaz Childs. Chaz passed away on December 24, 2023.Arrangements for Chaz are as follows: Friday, December 29, 2023 ... [read more]
City of Fun Carnival: Dream Team Continues to Bring Midway Joy
Once upon a time, Lou and Lois Melendez met at BYU in Provo, UT. After marrying, they moved to New Jersey, where they worked for a time at the Seaside Heights Park and Pools. They invested in some ... [read more]
Alegre Fantasia Partners with TapNGo for Cutting-Edge RFID Solutions in Mexico.
Alegre Fantasia, leading experts in the Midway and Carnival industry for over 40 years, is proud to announce its partnership with TapNGo™, a global provider of innovative RFID solutions. After ... [read more]
2,341,449 Attend Most Texan Place on Earth - The State Fair of Texas
The last of the large state fairs of the fair season, the State Fair of Texas welcomed 2,341,449 fairgoers over its run of 24 consecutive days. While approximately an 8 percent downtick from 2022's ... [read more]
EK Fernandez Shows' 50th State Fair Continues to be a Unique Event in Hawaii
Held in Aloha Stadium in Aiea, Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii's 50th State Fair is somewhat different than most state fairs. Attendees will not find livestock or livestock auctions, and the fair is put on by a ... [read more]
2024 Carnival Photo Calendars are NOW SHIPPING!
Supplies are limited, get them while they last!
CarnivalWarehouse.com's 2024 Carnival Photo Calendar is now available for shipping! The 2024 edition features over 60 photos from carnivals and fairs across the country including 14 feature ... [read more]
Missouri State Fair Recommits to Agricultural Roots; Attendance & Spending Up
A return to the foundational concepts of what a fair means to its community spearheaded the 2023 Missouri State Fair, which in spite of periods of humidity and precipitation saw increases ... [read more]
Price Chopper Inc. Announces Retirement of Founding Chairman
[Orlando, FL. November 29th, 2023] – Price Chopper Inc., a global pioneer in the wristband and identification market, today announces the full retirement of its founding chairman, Jefferson ... [read more]
IAFE Convention 2023: Brown's Amusements Bolsters Ride Line-Up; Colorado State Fair Improves Grounds; Ulster Co. Fair Becomes a Family Affair
The IAFE Convention and Trade Show was busy again Tuesday as attendees learned from classes and sessions and made purchases and plans at the Trade Show. The trade show was split into two ... [read more]
Visit Carnival Warehouse at the IAFE Convention
Pick up your complimentary issue of Amusement Warehouse Magazine containing the Top 50 Fairs of 2023
Stop by and visit the Carnival Warehouse booth at the IAFE Convention in Salt Lake City, located at booth number 300 in the convention center. Pick up a complimentary issue of Amusement ... [read more]
IAFE Convention 2023: K9 Outlook Event Security; KMG & Lambrink Ride Purchases & More Highlights from Salt Lake City
The IAFE Convention moved to Salt Lake City this year. The convention center and hotels are centrally located and easily accessible, making for easy movement between venues. The trade ... [read more]
Fair Industry Ready to RISE in Salt Lake City
With many fairs reporting a robust 2023 edition, the industry has bounced back from the Pandemic, overcoming the multiple challenges of inflation, labor shortages, safety issues and supply-chain ... [read more]
IAAPA Expo: Wisdom Rides of America & Noble Rides Reports a Successful Show
IAAPA Expo 2023 closed Friday after a very successful run at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The event brought a whopping 36,173 attractions ... [read more]
