Carnival & Fair News

Kissel Amusement Company's Nicholas Kissel represents the fourth generation of his family-run Ohio business as it approaches its 96th year.

“My great-grandfather, Ralph, started the business in 1932 with pony rides,” Kissel explains. “He was a farmer in the area, and he would visit local farms to obtain horses for the Cincinnati Zoo's pony rides. When the zoo decided to step away from that business, they sold him much of the equipment, and we moved forward from there, expanding from pony rides into mechanical rides for small events and birthday parties throughout the Cincinnati area.”

Over the years, the company continued to grow, first adding two rides and a crane game.

Today, Kissel Amusement Company remains family owned and operated, with routes throughout Ohio and into Kentucky. The company currently operates two separate units.

According to Kissel, the family once owned an amusement park in Ohio's suburban Colerain Township. The park operated successfully for nearly 30 years, into the mid-1960s, until competition from larger destinations such as Kings Island and Coney Island became increasingly challenging.




“At that point, we took our attractions on the road,” Kissel says. “About 12 years into traveling, we bought Dine Amusements, which operated out of Canton, Ohio. That gave us a stronger foothold in the carnival industry, and we continued adding larger rides and securing bigger fairs throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.”

Kissel notes that the family's carnival interests once extended across multiple companies.

“My family is very large, and we all get along very well,” he says. “At one point, we had 10 different carnival companies. Over time, we consolidated operations, and some members of the third generation retired. Today, Kissel Amusement Company includes what was originally Kissel Brothers Attractions, Triple Treat, and the remaining assets of Dine Amusements, which we acquired for a second time. The current company name was adopted in 2022, but our legacy stretches back to 1932.”

Today, Kissel Amusement Company operates 37 rides. Among the most popular are the Expo Wheel, Music Express, and Ali Baba.

“At night, Music Express is especially popular because it has the atmosphere of a nightclub with all the lights and music,” Kissel says. “The Expo Wheel is a favorite because of both its lighting package and the views it provides. Ali Baba is a true thrill ride that reaches approximately 75 feet in the air.”



The company also maintains a strong lineup of kiddie rides.

“We just received a brand-new ride from Turkey called Polar Express,” Kissel reports. “It's a family coaster that is new to the U.S. market. It operates at a moderate speed and is designed for the entire family. It has a nice dip and provides a smooth, comfortable ride experience.”

He adds that the ride's height requirements are family friendly, with riders over 36 inches permitted to ride alone and younger children able to ride when accompanied by an adult.

“Typically, we add new rides every year or two,” Kissel says. “This year, in addition to Polar Express, we purchased a used King Rocket ride, which is also geared toward younger riders.”


Having invested heavily in new equipment in recent years, Kissel expects the company to focus on transportation upgrades over the next two years before making additional major ride purchases.

In addition to rides, the company offers a variety of concessions and games.

“We have a fried vegetable trailer, funnel cakes, cotton candy, a French fry wagon, and all the classic fair foods,” he says. “For us, the traditional favorites remain the most popular, especially French fries and funnel cakes.”

Kissel notes that one of the company's maintenance employees purchased a cookie trailer last year, introducing one of the newest food offerings on the midway.

“He bakes fresh chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, and pastries such as cherry turnovers,” Kissel says. “The aroma of the cookies baking is a major draw.”

The company owns two balloon games and a goldfish game, while additional game offerings are provided by subcontractors.

“Other than those, our games come from two different subcontractors,” Kissel says.

Kissel Amusement Company now operates two units throughout the season, a change made following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A lot of ride companies left the state during that period, and we saw an opportunity for growth,” Kissel explains. “My cousins purchased Triple Treat Shows around that time.”

The company's route includes approximately 60 stops annually between April and October, including two hometown fairs.

“We have offices in Cincinnati and Butler County, along with a shop in Stanton, Ohio,” Kissel says. “As a result, we always play the Butler County Fair and the Stark County Fair. At the start of each season, we spend about a month in Kentucky supporting Kentucky Derby events. Other than that, we remain in Ohio and follow much of the same route we have operated since the 1970s.”


Like many carnival operators, staffing remains a key focus.

“H-2B is always a nerve-racking gamble, but we rely on the program to ensure we have the workforce we need,” Kissel says. “We are very pleased with our employees and how they perform. Overall, we employ about 45 seasonal workers in addition to 25 to 30 U.S.-based employees.”

As the company prepares to enter its fifth generation, Kissel takes pride in the longevity of the family business.

“Not many companies make it this far,” he says. “We are fortunate to have outstanding relationships and long-term contracts with our fairs and festivals. Many of those partnerships date back to at least the 1980s, and they continue to be an important part of our success.”