Robert 'Bob' William Commerford Passes
Robert “Bob” William Commerford, 94, passed away on July 27, 2026. He was born on May 21, 1932, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to the late Francis and Helen (née Kudlinski) ... [read more]
John 'Jack' Fanelli of Fanelli Amusement Company, Passes Away
The carnival industry is mourning the loss of John "Jack" Fanelli, second-generation owner of Fanelli Amusement Company. According to a statement released by the Fanelli family, Jack dedicated his ... [read more]
Richard 'Dick' Knoebel, President Emeritus of Knoebels Amusement Resort, Passes Away
The outdoor amusement industry is mourning the loss of Richard "Dick" Knoebel, President Emeritus of Knoebels Amusement Resort, who passed away at the age of 87. A lifelong leader in one of ... [read more]
Ray Schantz of Schantz Manufacturing Passes
The outdoor amusement industry is mourning the loss of Ray Schantz, whose dedication to quality craftsmanship and innovation helped shape the modern concession trailer industry. Schantz carried ... [read more]
Marketing Fairs, Carnivals & Amusement Parks: Don't Let Your Branding Get Lost in the Lights
In an industry full of bold colors and bright lights, it's important to have branding that reflects that energy. Clean visuals and consistent branding across all touchpoints create a sense of ... [read more]
IAAPA Expo 2026 Opens Registration as Industry's Premier Event Returns Bigger Than Ever
ORLANDO, FL (June 17, 2026) – Registration is now open for IAAPA Expo 2026, the premier global event for the attractions industry that brings together professionals from theme parks, family ... [read more]
H-2B Certified Seasonal Employer Language Clears Key Hurdle in FY27 DHS Appropriations Bill
After significant efforts and strong advocacy from stakeholders across the amusement industry, the H-2B Certified Seasonal Employer (CSE) and the Amusement Industry's P-Visa language has been ... [read more]
Kissel Entertainment Becomes First Carnival Company to Earn iROC Certification
Kissel Entertainment has become the first carnival company to earn International Ride Operator Certification (iROC) through International Ride Training (IRT), a safety training organization for the ... [read more]
America 250 Wheel to be Featured at West Virginia's America 250 Celebration
Biggest Wheel, LLC.'s America 250 Wheel will be featured at the upcoming America 250 Celebration in Charleston, West Virginia, organizers announced last week. The celebration is scheduled for July ... [read more]
If They Can't Find 'Buy Tickets' - Your Losing Sales
Best practices for making online ticketing more visible, accessible, and effective on fair and carnival websites
When it comes to fair and carnival websites, one of the most important goals should be simple: make it easy for customers to buy tickets. Yet surprisingly, many fair websites still force visitors to ... [read more]
