Carnival & Fair News

Things are really heating up for Helm and Sons Amusements. According to CEO Davey Helm, 2025 was the “largest season in our history,” and for good reason, with new rides, food, games, and attractions.

Among the new rides is a two-story dark ride from Happy Rides themed after The Conjuring film series. “There are 28 animatronics inside and out, and the cars progress over two stories. Adding more fun scares to the ride, we have a team member dressed as The Nun character from the movie series who scares riders.”



On the Helm and Sons website and social media accounts, a Blair Witch-type video parody serves as a lively promo for The Conjuring dark ride, while a “purposely corny” flight simulator video is posted for Starfighter.

The company also added a Star Wars-themed ride from Battech, called the Starfighter. “It's a spin on the Downdraft ride, which was its original theme,” Helm notes. “We made it appear to be a flight simulator.”

Coming up next year, Helm is adding another large observation wheel, one tall enough that he is keeping the height secret for now. “It's going to be one of the largest if not the largest in America right now. It's going to be amazing,” he enthuses. The ride will feature drinks and dining cars and will be a “complete transformation from an average Ferris wheel to a real observation wheel experience.”

Currently, Helm is also in the process of theming a four-story fun house as nightclub with two separate DJ platforms, including one on top of the building for dancing. “Instead of just riding it, you can get cool unique photo opportunities throughout the experience, and enjoy dancing while on the ride.”

Helm recently added two new Hitch-Hiker units this year, including “the largest cotton candy booth that opens up to 46-feet, complete with 16-foot digital screens on each side,” Helm says. Additionally, the company added another 36-foot burger and fry wagon with an 18-foot LED screen.



In February of 2026, the show will take delivery of a Cinnamon Roll trailer. It will offer gourmet coffee along with the rolls that are made to order with specialty toppings.

Helm also added pods with prefabricated games with four others currently being built. The goal is to achieve an impressive game set-up that is more amusement park quality than midway. “They fold down, so you can pick them up with the forklift move to the next location, and unfold them. From the marquee to the ground, they eliminate aluminum framed tents. They look a lot like theme park games.”

Helm also added a new Bottle Bust trailer game with an LED screen and is planning to add a new Roller Derby from Bob's Space Racers next year.

Then there's growth behind the scenes as well for Helm, with a new 40-ton heavy duty, 4-axel crane and all new passenger vans for his team members, including a VIP shuttle replete with amenities like mini-coolers and televisions, to transport his crew to locations sites comfortably.

Helm Amusements has a 40-location route planned for 2026, beginning the end of February and running through Halloween, plus additional Halloween and wintertime venues including multiple events held at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess; a Winterfest event for the San Diego Padres, and another for the Mission Inn Festival of Lights, which added rides after the pandemic closures.



“Our main route stretches from California through Arizona and Nevada, moving as far south as the El Centro border in California up to the Oregon State Fair with Rainier Amusements, our one event in the Pacific Northwest.” Following the Oregon stop, the company's route takes them back to Los Angeles for their final main event of the year with the Camp Flog Gnaw experience at Dodger Stadium.

Helm and Sons Amusements uses digital ticketing through Magic Money. “We have a full system out at the Victorville, San Bernardino, and other fairs, so we can handle everything from beer garden admissions to pre-sale for the fair itself, Monster Trucks, and the like. We are moving toward being able to offer this system for all our fair partners. It's a win-win for all everyone,” he explains.



But the most important thing to Helm is “my team. We can talk about the best rides and ideas but without my team none of these things would be possible. I am proud that our turnover is only 1.5%. Everyone who travels with us, we go out and have fun together,” he relates, citing a recent Top Golf party and a fishing excursion. Team building is important to Helm. “Without our team the latest rides and events mean nothing,” he attests.