Charlotte Spring Fair Partners with Dreamland Amusements in New Location
The Charlotte Spring Fair met with a few big changes this year, and the changes perhaps, were implemented for the better.
Larry Linton has been running the Charlotte Fair with his family for nine years. Though the fair was previously located at Sandusky Boulevard, Linton says the fair was forced to change locations and is now located at Bruton Smith Boulevard, directly across from Charlotte Motor Speedway. On a positive note, the new location is larger and the Charlotte Spring Fair was off to an excellent fresh start this year with its new partnership with Dreamland Amusements.
“It was challenging that we had to move,” Linton admits. “Trying to get to a new location, getting a new carnival, and starting over in two months was rough. We were renting the previous space for four years and then we were forced to move. We barely were able to do it, but it ended up being successful.”
The 2019 Charlotte Spring Fair took place from March 15 through 24.
“We only had 10 days of the fair this year instead of 17,” Linton says, adding that attendance was down a bit because of this factor. “But it was a good fair for those 10 days. So if we're just counting the ten days, attendance was up.”
Admission cost was $8 for people ages 12 and older and $5 for children under the age of 11. Children under the age of 4 were admitted for free. The admission cost to the fair included all shows and entry into the petting zoo. Parking was available on-site for a cost of $5.
Visitors had the opportunity to save on admission during select days when they donated cans or bags of pet food, or leashes and pet toys to the fair to benefit a local animal shelter.
Special days included $2 Tuesday and Thrifty Thursday, which provided fair entry for $5.
A big attraction at the Charlotte Spring Fair for 2019 was the new carnival set-up provided by Dreamland Amusements, which brought in a number of thrill rides.
“We had a lot of really nice rides, and I think the midway was a lot better than it was before,” Linton says of the new partnership. “Dreamland is great. It's a wonderful carnival and we are very happy with them. All the rides are clean and new,” he continues. “The roller coaster lights up really well, and not a lot of smaller fairs have roller coasters. So this makes our fair unique.”
There were 27 rides showcased on the the Charlotte Spring Fair's midway this year, including the popular Super Cyclone roller coaster. The ride is brand-new and features unique cars that travel in pairs, allowing eight people to travel together as they experience the ride's wild loops and slopes.
Bob DeStefano, Dreamland Amusements' show consultant, says that Dreamland is excited about the partnership with the Linton family and the Charlotte Spring Fair.
“Larry and his family run an excellent operation, and we look forward to hopefully working together for years to come,” he says. “Our ride Delusion did very well at the Charlotte Fair. So did the Himalaya and the Giant Wheel. But of course, the biggest hit was the Super Cyclone Roller Coaster.
“The fair was extremely well-run with nice entertainment and a nice petting zoo farm,” DeStefano adds. “Everything was handled very well, and parking was also excellent. Everybody handled the changes very well.
Wristbands for unlimited rides on the midway were available for $25.
There were also 16 food vendors to choose from, including the popular Hog Wild Barbecue.
Aside from the engaging new midway, visitors had the opportunity to check out entertainment such as the Aguiar Family Thrill Show, the Rockin A Ranch petting zoo, Swifty Swine's Racing Pigs and Jason D'Vaude, a one-man circus sensation, during the 10-day event.
Linton says that Charlotte Spring Fair does a bit of everything when it comes to advertising, and will continue to work at what draws people in.
“With advertising, only 50 percent of what you do ends up working,” he shares. “You never know what 50. We use discount tickets, radio, social media – we do it all.”
He adds that he feels positive about the road ahead and looks forward to what the future holds for the Charlotte Spring Fair.
“We are family-owned and we do what we do for a living. This is our ninth year and we try to make it a little better every year,” he says. “I don't have giant goals when it comes to the future of the fair, but I do want to make it better. For nine years we've been successful, and I want it to continue to grow every year.”
Larry Linton has been running the Charlotte Fair with his family for nine years. Though the fair was previously located at Sandusky Boulevard, Linton says the fair was forced to change locations and is now located at Bruton Smith Boulevard, directly across from Charlotte Motor Speedway. On a positive note, the new location is larger and the Charlotte Spring Fair was off to an excellent fresh start this year with its new partnership with Dreamland Amusements.
“It was challenging that we had to move,” Linton admits. “Trying to get to a new location, getting a new carnival, and starting over in two months was rough. We were renting the previous space for four years and then we were forced to move. We barely were able to do it, but it ended up being successful.”
The 2019 Charlotte Spring Fair took place from March 15 through 24.
“We only had 10 days of the fair this year instead of 17,” Linton says, adding that attendance was down a bit because of this factor. “But it was a good fair for those 10 days. So if we're just counting the ten days, attendance was up.”
Admission cost was $8 for people ages 12 and older and $5 for children under the age of 11. Children under the age of 4 were admitted for free. The admission cost to the fair included all shows and entry into the petting zoo. Parking was available on-site for a cost of $5.
Visitors had the opportunity to save on admission during select days when they donated cans or bags of pet food, or leashes and pet toys to the fair to benefit a local animal shelter.
Special days included $2 Tuesday and Thrifty Thursday, which provided fair entry for $5.
Bigger location, Better Rides, More Shows
A big attraction at the Charlotte Spring Fair for 2019 was the new carnival set-up provided by Dreamland Amusements, which brought in a number of thrill rides.
“We had a lot of really nice rides, and I think the midway was a lot better than it was before,” Linton says of the new partnership. “Dreamland is great. It's a wonderful carnival and we are very happy with them. All the rides are clean and new,” he continues. “The roller coaster lights up really well, and not a lot of smaller fairs have roller coasters. So this makes our fair unique.”
There were 27 rides showcased on the the Charlotte Spring Fair's midway this year, including the popular Super Cyclone roller coaster. The ride is brand-new and features unique cars that travel in pairs, allowing eight people to travel together as they experience the ride's wild loops and slopes.
Bob DeStefano, Dreamland Amusements' show consultant, says that Dreamland is excited about the partnership with the Linton family and the Charlotte Spring Fair.
“Larry and his family run an excellent operation, and we look forward to hopefully working together for years to come,” he says. “Our ride Delusion did very well at the Charlotte Fair. So did the Himalaya and the Giant Wheel. But of course, the biggest hit was the Super Cyclone Roller Coaster.
“The fair was extremely well-run with nice entertainment and a nice petting zoo farm,” DeStefano adds. “Everything was handled very well, and parking was also excellent. Everybody handled the changes very well.
Wristbands for unlimited rides on the midway were available for $25.
There were also 16 food vendors to choose from, including the popular Hog Wild Barbecue.
Aside from the engaging new midway, visitors had the opportunity to check out entertainment such as the Aguiar Family Thrill Show, the Rockin A Ranch petting zoo, Swifty Swine's Racing Pigs and Jason D'Vaude, a one-man circus sensation, during the 10-day event.
Looking Ahead
Linton says that Charlotte Spring Fair does a bit of everything when it comes to advertising, and will continue to work at what draws people in.
“With advertising, only 50 percent of what you do ends up working,” he shares. “You never know what 50. We use discount tickets, radio, social media – we do it all.”
He adds that he feels positive about the road ahead and looks forward to what the future holds for the Charlotte Spring Fair.
“We are family-owned and we do what we do for a living. This is our ninth year and we try to make it a little better every year,” he says. “I don't have giant goals when it comes to the future of the fair, but I do want to make it better. For nine years we've been successful, and I want it to continue to grow every year.”
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