Carnival & Fair News

The consolidation of carnival companies within the fair, festival, and outdoor event industry has accelerated in the turbulent post-lockdown economy. Small to mid-size, family-owned and operated businesses are closing at an alarming pace. The most recent example occurred in December, when Amusements of America acquired nearly the entire inventory of SwikaS Amusements, one of Pennsylvania's oldest family-owned carnival companies.

The acquisition included rides, trucks, generators, and other equipment from SwikaS Amusements, a three-generation enterprise spanning more than five decades. Like many small to mid-size operators, SwikaS Amusements ultimately succumbed to consecutive years of rising costs and mounting labor challenges, including ongoing H-2B visa concerns.

“I've had enough,” said Stephen Swika III, the third-generation owner whose grandfather, Stephen Swika I, founded the company in 1957. It was later passed to Stephen Swika II, who led the operation during its most successful years. SwikaS Amusements traditionally ran a spring-to-summer route through Pennsylvania and Vermont, servicing fairs, fundraisers, and sponsored events before subcontracting with Amusements of America for dates in New York.

Weather and Economic Pressures

The 2025 season proved particularly challenging. A rainy spring combined with sharply rising costs for fuel, food, insurance, labor, and fees placed additional strain on operations. Consumer confidence also declined to levels not seen since the Great Recession. Four fairs on Swika's route ceased operations following the pandemic, further reducing opportunities.

The COVID-19 crisis, while navigated relatively successfully by the fair industry compared to other sectors, accelerated the attrition of smaller carnival operators.

“The pandemic was very hard to recover from,” Swika said. “Losing a full year of income, and in some cases two years, meant we were always catching up. We had a couple of good years, but it was never back to normal like it was in 2019. Over the last two years, expenses kept rising while the rewards kept shrinking.”

Assets and Acquisition

The Pennsylvania and Vermont route previously operated by SwikaS Amusements was sold to three different regional midway providers. The Amusements of America acquisition included 15 pieces of equipment, consisting of major and kiddie rides, generators, and two tractor-trailer trucks. Key rides in the deal included Baja Buggy, Fire Engines, Rainbow Rock, Rio Grande Train, Tea Cups, Back Spin Coaster, Kite Flyer, and Quasar.

The Nostalgic Wheel and Super Shot that previously traveled with the show were retained by their original owner, Stacey's Sweet Shop.  The rides will continue to play independent events and book in with other shows.

Swika retained ownership of the carousel. The company's headquarters in Scott Township, Pennsylvania, will be repurposed as a storage facility.



A significant factor in the transaction was the condition of the equipment. “They take care of their equipment like no other company,” said Morris Vivona of Amusements of America. The families have maintained a professional relationship for decades, dating back to when Stephen Swika II was still active in the business. “That made the decision easy. We know them, and we are friends.”

Midway Augmentation

Vivona said the newly acquired equipment will primarily supplement Amusements of America's Red Unit. “These additional rides expand our options and what we can offer fairs,” he said. “They are all in very good shape. The challenge is transportation and staffing, but the benefit is increased versatility, variety, and independence.”

The timing of the acquisition is especially significant given ongoing disruptions in the new equipment supply chain. Shipping delays and backorders have become commonplace, and recent tariff policies have introduced unpredictable price increases.

“Uncertainty around lead times was definitely a factor,” Vivona said. While the acquisition does not include high-capacity or signature rides for Amusements of America, which ranks as the 16th largest carnival company in North America (playing the Top 50 Fairs) according to Carnival Warehouse, it allows the company to immediately expand its inventory without waiting years for new equipment deliveries.

“We have more flexibility to play dates, split units, and rotate rides more frequently,” Vivona said. “Having these rides ready to go positions us well for next season. When you order new equipment today, you could be waiting two, three, or even four years.”

The rides will remain familiar to New York fairgoers, as SwikaS Amusements had long subcontracted the New York leg of Amusements of America's route. While Vivona retains rides his fairs have come to expect, he acknowledged the tradeoff. “Now I have to cover transportation and staffing because I'm losing my best subcontractor,” he said.

A Longstanding Relationship

The relationship between the Vivona and Swika families spans decades, dating back to the company's earlier identity as S&S Amusements. Founded in 1957 by Stephen Swika I and Stephen Swika II, the family's carnival roots extend to the 1930s. Stephen Swika III grew up in the business and assumed leadership alongside his father before Stephen Swika II passed away in August 2017.

At its peak, S&S Amusements operated approximately 32 rides, employed 50 people, and played about 26 dates annually. Its route included small fairs, civic and church fundraisers, and subcontract work at larger fairs. The company earned a reputation for mechanical expertise, meticulous maintenance, and safe operations.

Following the death of Stephen Swika II, estate-related legal issues forced the company to sell more than half of its rides, jeopardizing its future. Eight years ago, Swika considered dissolving the business entirely. Instead of making an acquisition offer, Morris Vivona encouraged him to continue.

“He told me I had too much to give,” Swika recalled in a 2017 interview with Carnival Warehouse. “He said I was a good ride guy and should stay in the business.”

Swika followed that advice, driven by his passion for the industry and its people.

Looking Ahead

By 2025, circumstances had changed. Swika successfully retained much of the former S&S route under SwikaS Amusements, but the loss of his wife and business partner Paula in 2019, along with his daughters choosing careers outside the midway, contributed to his decision to step back.

Post-pandemic economic pressures have continued to accelerate consolidation across the industry as carnivals and the fairs they serve contend with rising costs, climate challenges, and shifting cultural dynamics.

Swika spent his entire career in the family business, except from 2000 to 2009 when he served as a ride inspector for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. That experience further reinforced his commitment to equipment standards, a factor that made the SwikaS inventory especially valuable. Neither party disclosed the value of the transaction.

While closing one chapter, Swika is not leaving the midway entirely. Beginning in 2026, he plans to operate a pretzel stand along portions of his former route while enjoying semi-retirement with his two dogs, Leo and Milo.



“The Swikas were known for our attention to detail in putting on a carnival,” he said. “I'll miss it, especially certain parts of it. I'm grateful to the sponsors, fair committees, showmen, and everyone who supported us over the years. With the pretzel stand, I'll still get my carnival fix.”