Carnival & Fair News

Michael Wood is following family tradition with his leadership of Wood Entertainment. Wood took over the business from his late father, F.G. “Red” Wood, and has been adding rides and expanding his company’s presence ever since.But it is a partnership that he recently formed that is perhaps the most traditional aspect of his leadership, as well as an extremely successful one for both companies.“In 2017, we partnered with Frank Zaitshik from Wade Shows on adding our 150-foot-tall Ferris Wheel, the WonderFair Wheel,” Wood says. “The first event for the ride was at the Florida State Fair.” The ride features 36 fully enclosed, colorful gondolas that each ...   [read more]

Nancy Smith may have more than three decades of involvement with the South Carolina State Fair – including being on staff since 2000 and Assistant Manager since 2008 – but she readily admits that no matter how many years of experience, being General Manager is a different experience.  “You always have a little different view from the top,” said Smith. “The buck stops here.” Smith assumed her position in January and in addition to the many decisions she had to make and plans she need to implement, she not only had to fill the shoes her predecessor, Gary Goodman, General Manager of the fair for 35 years, she had to deal with the resignation of a ...   [read more]