Carnival & Fair Buzz

The annual Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) Jamboree, sponsored by North American Midway Entertainment (NAME), was held at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) in West Springfield, Mass., during The Big E on Tuesday, September 24. The fundraising event brought together key stakeholders in the industry to support the vital initiatives of the carnival's trade association.

More than 400 people attended the dinner and auction to support the OABA, including representatives from the beneficiary, NAME and ESE, plus concessionaires and exhibitors currently working the Fair.

“I have been running or participating in OABA Jamborees at The Big E for 30 years,” shared Greg Chiecko, president and CEO of the OABA. “It all began as a support mechanism for the former Conklin traveling school and, in the last three years, it has become one of the top two OABA member-run Jamborees. I can't believe how it has grown in recent years. I offer a huge ‘thank you' to The Big E and NAME for all that they do to support the event.”



Chiecko also emphasized, “all proceeds from Jamboree events support OABA's mission to educate and promote safety, and help fund our lobbying efforts toward foreign guest worker labor relief in Washington, D.C.”

The OABA Jamboree's auction, bolstered by the generosity of its supporters, featured 75 donated items. ESE contributed a signed and numbered collectable print of The Big E's 2024 commemorative poster by Connecticut-based artist Daniel Sheridan, which sold for $800, along with a themed, limited-edition piece of official “United We Fair” merchandise. Overall funds raised from the event exceeded $56,000. All proceeds were donated to the OABA.



Blake Huston, vice president of NAME, was instrumental in organizing this year's event. Huston said, “I can't say ‘thank you' enough for the support that we continue to receive every year at the OABA Jamboree at The Big E—from the North American Midway team members to all the independent concessionaires and vendors, as well as the Eastern States Exposition team, who helped provide the facility and amenities to make the event successful. ‘United We Ride!'”

Huston has been involved in the OABA for more than 10 years. He serves on the organization's board of directors and will be chairman in 2025. His goal is to continue to strengthen the relationships between carnivals, concessionaires and fair partners.

“None of us can do this alone, and we need each other to succeed in order to continue moving our industry forward,” Huston concluded.