Sunshine and New Rides Draw Buyers to Gibtown on Wednesday
Chance Rides to build a 30m wheel; Battech introduces improved Spider
The second day of the IISF Trade Show was again met with beautiful, sunny weather and good amount of traffic from attendees. Many vendors could be seen making deals and showing their wares and ... [read more]
Optimism at All Time High During Day 1 of 2017 IISF Trade Show
Wisdom Rides to service & build Frog Hoppers
The International Independent Showmen's Association kicked off its annual trade show today in Gibsonton at the Club's showgrounds. Over the past decade or so, some have complained that the ... [read more]
Gibtown Trade Show Expects More Exhibitors & Optimistic Attendees
More rides and attractions to be on display
More is what attendees to the 2017 International Independent Showmen's Foundation (IISF) Trade Show and Extravaganza can expect. The first premier event of the year for the mobile amusement ... [read more]
Wade Shows signs Buc Days in Corpus Christi
Buc Days of Corpus Christi, Texas announced the signing of Wade Shows to be their new carnival for the 2017 event. In order to accommodate Wade Shows, Buc Days shifted its calendar one week ... [read more]
Regional Carnival Company Reborn as SwikaS Amusements
When SwikaS Amusements opens its 2017 route in March, one of the longest running and most respected regional carnival companies will begin a new chapter. SwikaS Amusements is the latest ... [read more]
Call to Action from JKJ Workforce
Help preserve the H2B Program
This is a call to action. I am asking all of you to really take the time to read this email and truly take action as detailed in this email, and continue to take action on a regular basis, if ... [read more]
Ohio Fair Managers Association- Still going strong after all these years
The 92nd Annual Ohio Fairs Convention "It's All About Youth" was held January 5-8 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Columbus, Ohio. Nearly 4,000 people were in attendance including 1855 Senior ... [read more]
Strates Shows Succeeds with Christmas Fair by Not Making It a Fair
The Fair season begins in the warmer states sometime in January, peaks of course during the Summer in the most populous states and winds down by Thanksgiving, leaving December as a month where most ... [read more]
Fair Marketing Trends: Fragmented Media, Shifting Social Media & Year-Round Promotions
Fair marketing in the digital age has become more complex, and sophisticated. There have never been more choices of places to reach consumers, but with this expanded array has come new concerns about ... [read more]
Ed Murphy of Modern Motors Passes
Ed Murphy of Belleville, Illinois based Modern Motors passed away on January 27, 2017. Ed was known throughout the industry as a truck salesman to the carnival industry for years and was always ... [read more]
Industry Veteran Bobby Leonard Passes
Carnival industry veteran Bobby Leonard passed away on January 27, 2017. Bobby was a life-long concessionaire and was a supporter of the International Independent Showmen's Association in ... [read more]
Bates Amusements Closing After 2017 Season
Updated: Show to play 28+ events in final season
At the 2017 Ohio Fair Manager's Convention, Bates Amusements Inc, an Ohio based carnival company, announced that the 2017 season will be their last. After 52 years in the industry, Bates Amusements ... [read more]
New York State Fair adds Sky Ride, Extra Day for 2017
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday the second phase of the states revitalization of The Great New York State Fair Fairgrounds. The second phase upgrades include an Aerial ... [read more]
Kissel Entertainment Considering New Promotions to Grow Events
Show adds Chance Sea Dragon for 2017
Russ Kissel is excited for the coming season and the potential of using some new ride promotions in Kentucky, where his carnival plays about 10 fairs. Kissel Entertainment, owned by Russ and his ... [read more]
Elliotts Amusements optimistic about 2017 season
Elliott's Amusements had a successful weekend at the 132rd Annual Convention of the Michigan Association of Fairs & Exhibitions (MAFE) at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ... [read more]
Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs - 91st Annual Convention
The beautiful city of Spokane, Washington was the site for the 91st annual convention of the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs convention held on November 9 - 12, 2016. The Doubletree Spokane ... [read more]
Marko Popovich Jr. Passes
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of veteran showman, Marko Popovich, Jr. on January 16, 2017. Visitation will be held at the National Cremation & Burial Society located at ... [read more]
New Carnival, Promotions Help Four States Fair
Fair signs Wrights Amusements
The 2016 Four States Fair saw a slight increase in attendance; hosting about 85,000 guests over the ten days. Admission was $7 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and kids 5 and under were free. This ... [read more]
Arkansas State Fair signs NAME to provide midway in 2017
Fair to run 11 days in 2017
After 22 years with Deggeller Attractions, the Arkansas State Fair has signed North American Midway Entertainment to a new 5-year agreement with a 5 year option to provide the carnival at the ... [read more]
Ivan Arnold, Jim Elliott, and Joe Skerbeck inducted into the Michigan Association of Fairs and Events Hall of Fame
Ivan Arnold of Arnold Amusements, James Elliott of Elliott's Amusements, and Joe Skerbeck of Skerbeck Entertainment Group were inducted into the Michigan Association of Fairs and Events Hall of Fame ... [read more]
Promotions, Headliners Boost Jacksonville Fair
The 2016 Jacksonville Fair took place November 4th-13th with preview days on November 2nd and 3rd. This year's theme, "Red, White, and You" gave the fair a patriotic feel that was fun for all ... [read more]
Fair Advantage: Industry Veteran Offering Customized Event Solutions
Hands on is one way to describe the approach of Fair Advantage, a fair consultancy firm founded by Rick Ferenette this year, but it is not the company's only attribute distinguishing it from similar ... [read more]
STRONG REBOUND & ATTENDANCE LEAP FOR LOUISIANA
The The State Fair of Louisiana was the biggest comeback story for any North American fair last year: a dry fair followed an event that set the kind of record all fairs fear: nine out of 15 days of ... [read more]
Bates Amusements to cease operation after 2017 season
It was announced during the Ohio Fair Managers meetings on Thursday that Geary Bates' Bates Amusement Company would cease operation after its 2017 season. It is rumored that Geary's brother, ... [read more]
Dreamland Amusements looks forward to the start of the 2017 season
Show to book 20 rides at the Florida State Fair
Dreamland Amusements has a busy January on tap. At a time when many mid-size carnivals are off the road refurbishing rides and booking routes, the Long Island, N.Y. show has several pieces operating ... [read more]