Search

Top Gun: The Jet Coaster, the $10.5 million inverted Bolliger & Mabillard roller coaster debuting in March 1999 at Paramount's Carowinds, Charlotte, N.C., will displace just one attraction at the [...]

TAMPA -- James E. Strates of Strates Shows in Orlando started his 2003 tenure as chairman of the Outdoor Amusement Business Assn. by pledging a commitment to the organization's ongoing [...]

LAS VEGAS -- The Outdoor Amusement Business Assn. announced four more Hall of Fame recipients to be honored at the trade organization's annual meeting Feb. 8, 2003, in Tampa. The [...]

All Star Amusements owner/operator Jeff Blomsness has been a busy man in 2002. He helped finalize the buyout of assets from another Chicago show, Miller Amusements. As president of the [...]

CHICAGO - Immediately after the Showmen's League of America established fund-raising sources to pay for what could be a six-figure shortfall in the cost to rebuild the fire-damaged headquarters here, [...]

Gambill Amusement Co. of Steubenville, Ohio, is a family-owned carnival business, as is the case with more than 90 percent of shows on the road. But this extended family includes [...]

International Family Entertainment Center Assn. Pres. Joey Herd accidentally got involved with the family entertainment business after working as part-time supervisor at Whitewater waterpark in Marietta, GA. Herd was working as a high school basketball coach until he was eventually promoted to general manager of the recreation park. He then transferred to his present position as general manager of the Riverchase Golf and Games in Hoover, AL. Herd finds the job exciting but he also misses being a basketball coach., Joey Herd has a simple explanation when people ask him his profession: 'I play for a living.' The 32-year-old Easley, S.C., native is general manager of Riverchase Golf & Games [...]

At last look, David Grimm, GM of the Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, Vt., wasn't too happy with the way his grandstand roster was progressing (AB, April 22). Since then, [...]

The Outdoor Amusement Business Assn. has hired 35-year industry veteran Bob Grems to assist in marketing and publicizing the carnival trade organization. Grems, 51, formerly with Fiesta Shows and the [...]

Reports on the profitability of Gatorland, an amusement park located in Orlando, Florida. Admission fees; Background on park's founding in 1949; Park features and amenities; Expansion of admission and gift shop areas; Prices of alligator-made products sold at park. INSET: Gatorland backs legislation to privatize Fla.'s tourism dept..

Pat Skinner was upbeat about the 2004 season as she discussed what's new with her family's Chicagoland carnival, embarking on its 95th season starting April 29 in Marengo, Illinois. Skinner and her family sold their Zamperla Kite Flyer to a small amusement park in Keansburg, New Jersey, and acquired a Dartron Cliffhanger. Skinner has noticed an increase in calls from major manufacturers requesting equipment for their corporate picnics. She has already booked three for the summer.

Chance Rides Manufacturing no longer relies heavily on the carnival sector for business, opting to develop and sell new rides for amusement parks, zoos and other entertainment destinations. The 44-year-old Wichita, Kansas-based firm marks two years in May since emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, restructuring its debt and becoming a newly organized entity. President and CEO Dick Chance said that the customer base has changed a lot.

Pending bankruptcy court approval, Thebault Blomsness Enterprises (TBE) and Mid America Shows plan to book the majority of ride equipment through midway manager Ed Gregory at the 2004 Florida Slate Fair in Tampa, Florida. TBE and Mid America, co-owned by Danny Huston and Jim Wegerly, expect to bring about 100 rides to celebrate Tampa's 100th anniversary.

Skinners' Amusements in Crystal Lake, Illinois, joined the growing list of carnivals booking rides and attractions for TV and motion pictures, providing its Eli Bridge Ferris wheel for a late night commercial shoot promoting Commonwealth Edison, the Chicago electrical utility. Fusion Films of Santa Monica, California, produced the advertisement, filmed on April 28, 2003 at the Santa's Village amusement park parking lot in East Dundee, Illinois. The carnival also had a ticket box and fencing used in the production. The theme park was also involved in the advertisement. Skinners' Amusements employee Brian Henning operated the wheel at the Santa's Village shoot, receiving a half-hour break to eat during the 10-hour period. "They wanted the wheel to run at a certain speed so I had to clock it accordingly. I kept mental notes in my head" of the time and distance between spokes. "The trickiest part was--with 13 seats in a row filled and then several empty ones--keeping it balanced with sandbags to operate it correctly," said Henning.

Geren Rides of Valdosta, Georgia, a medium-size show operating carnivals since 1941, acquired 13 fair/festival contracts for$ 114,010 plus 154570360f ride grosses during federal bankruptcy court proceedings April 18, 2003 in Nashville involving assets of Ed Gregory's United Shows of America, Smyrna, Tennessee. The money goes to pay Gregory's creditors.Two fairs and a county commissioner affected by Gregory's bankruptcy contacted International Association of Fairs & Expositions President Jim Tucker asking for guidance. The IAFE drafted language to protect fairs in the event another carnival suffered direfinancial difficulties. The Florida State Fair was not among the contracts in question. Gregory has one year remaining as the midway manager in Tampa and intends to honor that responsibility in 2004. confirmed by fair manager Rick Vymlatil. This year, United Shows of America booked 15 rides and booked 84 other pieces at the fair.

Reports on the success of festivals Taste of Chicago at Grant Park in Illinois and Summerfest at Maier Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin despite challenging factors such as heat and further terrorist attacks. Total of on-site ticket sales at Grant Park; Participants in the Taste event; Factors responsible for the increase in attendance at Summerfest.

Reports that the management of Skinners' Amusements in Illinois has resolved the matter regarding where the carnival will set up for several events in 2002. Details of the events; Information on the Harvard Milk Days event in Illinois; Increase in the prices of the carnival as of May 6, 2002; Attractions that have been added by Skinners' Amusements for the scheduled events in 2002; Key personnel at the amusement park.

Features Miller Amusements Inc., owned and operated by Rich Wyatt. Number of rides and attractions offered by Miller Amusements; Game concessionaires of Miller Amusements; Information on the 19th Lake County Fair in Crown Point, Indiana.

Reports on the impact of flooding on the amusement industry in Midwest in 2001. John O'Donnell Stadium in Davenport, Iowa; Valleyfair! amusement park in Minnesota; Red River Valley Fair in West Fargo.

Reports that the October 24-26, 2000 Amusement Industry Expo's (AIE) two showcase attractions will be located outside of the I-X Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Height of the rides that will be located outside the I-X Center; Registration fee for the AIE event; Number of rides included on its auction; Topics of its educational seminars; List of first time AIE exhibitors.

Focuses on the increasing popularity of classic and modern rock music at amusement parks in the United States for the year 2000. List of some music performers booked in Chicago, Illinois; Concerns about country music among fair buyers.

Focuses on Conklin Shows at the Dade County Fair & Exposition in Miami, Florida. Attractions of Conklin; Cost of Conklin's ticket; Gross revenue generated by Conklin.

Interviews Pat Delaney, executive secretary of the Showmen's League of America (SLA). How she started her amusement business; Her purpose in pursuing the SLA secretary job; Views on the role of women in SLA; Her goals and objectives for the association.

Reports on the opening of DisneyQuest indoor interactive theme park and ESPN Zone sports-themed facilities in Chicago, Illinois in summer 1999. Features of the facilities; Capacity; Statement issued by Art Levitt, president of Disney Regional Entertainment company.

Reports on the attendance at the waterpark Magic Waters located in Rockford, Illinois. Admission prices; Factors contributing to the success; Park attractions and promotions.

Reports on the plan of Des Moines, Iowa's Adventureland Amusement Park to bulldoze its amphitheater in 1995 and replace it with as many as three rides. Status of the company's campground business as of August 1995.

Reports on the attractions launched in Bill Johnson's Fantasy Amusements in Chicago using `A Taste of Riverview' May 31 to June 4, 1995. Set up of Zamperla's Rio Grande train and kiddie helicopter rides; Dartron Star Trooper; Chance Pharaoh's Fury; Attraction held by the custom-made popcorn trailer called Fantasy Faire.

Reports on the attractions featured at the 1995 I-X Center indoor amusement park in Cleveland, Ohio. Capital International Productions' Pirates of the Caribbean High Dive Show; Pepsi All-Sport Body Quencher Zone; Kids Kountry; Rides provided by Bates Bros. Amusement Company.

Reports on Silverwood Theme Park general manager Dan Aylward's plans to increase the number of attractions at the theme park located in Athol, Idaho. Addition of adult and children's rides; Ice show; Number of rides at the park; Installation of a rollercoaster; Victorian/Western theme of the park; Target market.

Features the Riverside Amusement Park in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Change into a family entertainment center; Competition in the market; Additional revenues expected.

Reports on the increase in attendance and spending at Adventureland in Des Moines, Iowa as a result of the dry weather in Iowa. Attractions featured in the park; Comment by John Krantz, son of park owner, Jack Krantz; Future plans for the park.

Reports on Magic Waters waterpark in Rockford, Ill.'s experience with crisis management. Investigation of internal theft; Bomb threats; Internal training of employees on etiquette and specific orientation of the area they work at; Hiring of a risk manager.

Reports on the increase in revenues of the Funway Entertainment Center in Batavia, Illinois for 1994. Good weather and all-day pass as reasons for success; Use of cross-promotions to attract patrons; Information on attractions in the park for 1995.

Features the Poor Jack Amusements of Milton, Indiana. Operator Jack Bohlander's assessment of center's performance from 1967 to 1993; Family's involvement in the amusement business; Associates; Center attractions; Issue of shortened fair season; 1994 expectations.

Reports on the introduction of the `Space Shuttle America - The Next Century' ride at the Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. Debut schedule; Location; Comparison with other space attractions; Ride features; Selection of Six Flags for the ride; Scholarships for the June, 1994 United States Space Camp.

Reports on the Miami Showmen's Association's celebration of its 50th anniversary on February 19, 1994. Anniversary celebration at its headquarters; President's banquet and ball at the Fountainbleu Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida; Picnic at T.Y. Park in Hollywood, California; Relocation of the club's headquarters.

Looks at the status of the business of Full Blast, a family entertainment center at Battle Creek, Michigan in 1998. Attendance; Size of the facility; Comments from Tom Frame, general manager at Full Blast; Advertising efforts; Description of the bus wrap advertising; Attractions.

Focuses on Ascent Products' portable, computerized unit that simulates famous mountain peaks used in rock climbing at family entertainment centers in the United States. Facilities using the product; Cost per climb; Advantages of using the product; Capabilities.

Announces the sale of the kiddie park Adventure Village located at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Illinois. Reasons behind the sale; Cost of individual ride tickets at the park; Attractions included.

Reports on the results of a survey comparing 1997 and 1998 amusement parks entrance prices in the United States. State fairs that increased their entrance fees; Ticket price at the State Fair in Virginia; Coverage of the admission price for 1998 at the Eastern States Exposition in Massachusetts.

Features Peter W. Kotula, owner of Allen Amusements park in Gibsonton, Florida. Kotula family's attendance at the International Showmen's Foundation trade show; Kotula's statement on who will succeed in managing the business.

Reports on Poor Jack Amusements and its show at the 78th Indiana Association of County and District Fairs convention on January 2-4, 1998. Problems encountered in 1997; Number of rides and attractions possessed by Poor Jack; Poor Jack's primary area of concentration; Plans of the company.

Reports that the Blomsness-Thebault Enterprises has provided indoor amusement park at the Ameritech County Fair at Navy Pier, Chicago. Price admission in the park; Features of the park.

Part I. Presents the views of carnival owners concerning issues in the amusement industry during the Amusement Industry Exposition in Cleveland, Ohio. Participants of the expositions who delivered their views; Problems and challenges faced by the industry; Funds for carnival shows.

Part II. Presents the views of carnival owners on issues concerning the amusement industry during the Amusement Industry Exposition in Clevelend, Ohio. Morris Vivona on the advent of rider responsibility legislation; Expectations on county fairs despite popularity gained by festivals; Other individuals who participated in the roundtable discussion.

Previews the circus exhibit of the Royal Hanneford Circus (RHC) for the 1998 season in Orlando, Florida. Playing four theme parks for the 1998 exhibit; Remarks of Hanneford about the Osprey, Florida's commitment to a fourth park in Kentucky; Why 1997 is a good year for Hanneford.

Reports about the success of the Parque do Gugu indoor theme park in the suburbs of Sao Paulo, Brazil during its first days of operation. Pay-one-price charge of the indoor facility; Description of the park; Information about the owners of the park.

Announces that the Arnolds Park (Iowa) Amusement Park has recreated the Roof Garden ballroom that will play host to eight concerts in summer of 1997. Features of the Roof Garden; Its concerts booked for the summer; Roof Garden's admission fees and reconstruction cost.

Profiles Pat Skinner, owner of Skinner's Amusement in Island Lake, Illinois. Skinner's belief about the rider responsibility legislation in Illinois; Skinner's legacy in carnival business; His statement about the show of Skinner's Amusement in 1997.

Reports about the exemption of Chicagoland carnivals from the 3% amusement tax in Cook County. Comments of some park owners and officials about the amusement tax; Comments of Mike Gunther, chief of staff for Representative Harold Murphy about the tax.