Carnival & Fair Buzz

Today, we are introducing our exciting new Podcast feature, Amusement Warehouse Podcast. 

In the podcast, we will interview fair managers, carnival owners, park owners, entertainers and concessionaires. Each episode lasts about an hour, and we get into the business of the interviewee's various pursuits.

In our first Podcast, we interview Phil Vivona of Amusements of America, the last surviving Vivona brother, one of the founders of the iconic company. Phil shares stories about the company's history and insight into how five brothers were able to work together and grow one of the most most recognizable carnival companies in the industry without breaking apart.

Phil was very generous with his time, and as one of the oldest showmen still involved in the industry, he has a lot to share. From their start at the World's Fair in 1939 in NY through ventures into the US south and Canada, the Amusements of America story is truly a fascinating one.

In the coming weeks, we will also feature Rick Frenette, a fair manager who has managed some of the top events in the industry. With stints at the Minnesota State Fair, and management roles at the Ohio State Fair, the Utah State Fair and the Wisconsin State Fair, Frenette gained a reputation for turning around events that were in financial trouble. Frenette discusses moving Ohio from a pay one price system, the impact the Minnesota State Fair has had on so many in the industry and the development of independent midways. There are several industry veterans who have been fortunate to manage a state fair in their career, but managing three, as Frenette has, is unprecedented.

Also upcoming, we will check in with Ricardo Flores of the Fearless Flores Family, one of the industry's most well known grounds acts. Flores recounts his family's history, answers questions about how it was working not once, but twice, with America's Got Talent, working with Feld Entertainment for Monster Jam and his family's dedication to providing outstanding entertainment at fairs and events throughout the country. The Flores family is fascinating to to listen to and we hope you will enjoy this episode as well.

On the park side, we will talk with Corky and Debbie Powers about their purchase and refurbishment of Family Kingdom Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach, SC and their plans for the park moving forward. The couple has invested lots of time and money into the venture and their plans for the future, including a new name for the park.

We continue to record new episodes each week and we hope the Amusement Warehouse Podcast will become a part of your entertainment choices.

Amusement Warehouse Podcast is available to watch on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast network including Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Amazon Music.  

New podcasts will be posted each week.  For more information or to listen directly through our web site, please visit the Podcast section.

If you have ideas about interviews you would like to hear, please contact us. We are happy to hear your feedback!

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