Search

The Bells Family Carnival, a traveling amusement park, has been entertaining audiences in Australia for 100 years. Selena and Elle Bell, who are part of the family, are dedicated to keeping the tradition alive. They spend most of the year on the road, hosting shows in various locations across the country. The family faces challenges such as bushfires and financial pressures, but they remain committed to their business. A documentary about their lives and struggles has been filmed over seven years and will be released soon. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses key issues concerning carnival ride operations during the 2006 Royal Adelaide Show in Australia. The event faced tough media scrutiny and carnival ride operators have to deal with tough safety compliance regulations in Australia. Consequently, attendance figures dropped by 3% from 2005 to 533,145 visits.

Presents information on the ride purchases made by carnival owners. Attitude of carnival owners toward the decline of the United States economy; Problems of the company Funtastic Rides in purchasing foreign equipment; Details on the trading and selling of rides.

Stefano Moser, Mirella Baincaroi, Nicola Moser and Alfeo Moser in front of the new Moser Drop ride. Ebeth Penders and Jack Souilljee are with KMG. Dick Shelby, Harry Murphy and [...]

The article presents information on the history of merry-go-rounds in the U.S. They were common in the U.S. in the early nineteenth century in one form or the other. With the introduction of steam power, the merry-go-round trade flourished and became an integral part of city parks, carnivals, state fairs, circus and pleasure resorts.

A calendar of state fairs in 2009 is presented including the Wild West comedy show in Minnesota from August 27-September 7, the carnival rides and barn tours in Nebraska from August 28-September 7, and the chainsaw carving in Kansas from September 11-20.

The article offers information on the Moomba Waterfest Carnival 2010. It cites that the expressions of interest for the operators of carnival, game and amusement are invited for the 2010 Mooba Waterfest. It states that the operators are invited to submit their expression of interest for the inclusion of their ride, game or novelty by 2:00 p.m. in the Moomba Carnival on October 27, 2009. Moreover, it adds that operators will be informed by December 7, 2009 for their selection.

Presents information on several attractions for children in California in June 2005. Knight's Tournament amusement ride at LEGOLAND; Participation of Avi and Dreamworks animators at the LA Kids Read Festival; Re-creation of a carnevale at the Getty Family Festival.

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.

Independent amusement ride operator Michael Wood, the owner of San Antonio, Texas-based Wood Entertainment Co., owns 10 rides and has often thought of forming his own carnival, but decided against it for various reasons. Regarded as one of the best in the business, Wood had four of the rides booked on the independent midway at the San Diego County Fair held in Del Mar, California, which was to start from June 03 and run through July 06. So far in this season, Wood has booked equipment at the San Antonio Stock Show with Wade Shows Inc.; Rio Grande Livestock Show to be held in Mercedes, Texas, with Reed Exposition Midway; Houston County Fair, with Crabtree Amusements; Poteet Strawberry Festival, with Alamo Attractions and Fiesta San Antonio, again with Reed Exposition Midway.

Pensacola, Florida-based Emerald Coast Amusements, has two distinct seasons according to Pat Brasch, who owns the carnival with her husband, Bob. The best Brasch would say is that dates, other than for rental types with six inflatables for birthdays and things of that nature, are in central Alabama, around Birmingham and Georgia, around Thomasville. Basically, now they have 12 to 14 rides and set up what a spot calls for, whether it's 10 or five. The top three rides are the Tempest, Berry-Go-Round and a Slide Maze. Ticket prices are 75 cents and there are no pay-one-price unlimited ride promotions because the dates are too small to call for that. Pat and Bob have been married for 42 years.

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.

Reports on plans of Chicago, Illinois-based carnival Fantasy Amusements to include the Super Shot tower ride in April 2003. Features of the amusement ride; Amusement ride acquired by the carnival in 2002; Other equipments included in the carnival.

Reports on the move of Astro Amusements of South Barrington, Illinois to upgrade its carnival in 2002. Features of the Fabri Megadrop tower ride at the carnival; Addition of a custom built animatic bear show from Custom Engineering; Ticket prices for the rides.

Focuses on the first carnival date for 2002 of Fantasy Amusements at a shopping center in Park Forest, Illinois. Impact of the weather on the earnings of Fantasy Amusements; Number of amusement rides offered by Fantasy Amusements; Locations added to the routes of Fantasy Amusements.

States that Harlan Bast, owner of carnival operator, Hildebrand's Midway of Fun, has decided to cut out his trip through North and South Carolina after the 2002 Labor Day. Fair routes of the carnival business in Florida; Amusement ride promotions of Hildebrand's; Cost of carnival tickets.

Reports on the participation of the J.A. Manning & Sons carnival in street fairs within Central London, England in 2002. Problems encountered during relocation of amusement rides within London; Food served at the carnival.

Reports that Portland, Oregon-based Hayworth Family Shows Carnival has added several amusement rides for the 2001 season. Manufacturers of the rides; Owners of the carnival; Concerns over the ride inspection policy of Washington state.

Reports on the opposition of carnival owners over the proposed House Bill 60 that will require traveling amusement ride companies operating in Illinois to provide personal information on employees for the purpose of background checks. Views on the proposed bill; Effectivity date of the bill if signed into law; Origin of the proposed bill.

Reports on the addition of rides and attractions at the Conner Amusements carnival in Beardstown, Illinois for the 2001 season. Background on the company; Information on the radio stations owned by carnival owner and operator John Conner.

Reports on the impact of the 2001 Wyoming State Fair deal on Crabtree Amusements carnival at Staples, Texas. Amusement rides introduced by Crabtree; Fair activities of Crabtree; Reasons of Crabtree for using armbands.

Deals with the year 2001 operation season of the Triple Treat Shows, a carnival business owned and operated by Jay and Vicki Clements, former employees of the Kissel Brothers. Number of the carnival's amusement rides and attractions; Features of the business' 2001 season; Employees of Triple Treat Show.

Reveals the plans of train-transported carnival Strates Shows Inc. to mix in more truck hauling while maintaining its railroad ties in the United States. Railroads wherein Strates has agreements with; Drop in its ticket prices; Amusement rides of Strates.

Features Harry Mason, vice president and general manager of Midway of Fun. How Mason started in the carnival business; Amusement rides added to Mason's inventory in 2000; Labor shortage problems faced by Mason.

Focuses on the introduction of SizeWize signs at the Farrow Shows carnival in Jackson, Mississippi to deal with problems experienced by parents regarding the height required by an amusement ride for children. Design of the signs; Cost of the signs; Other changes implemented at the carnival.

Focuses on the carnival show schedules of Wade Shows company in the United States as of September 11, 2000. Plans of Frank Zaitshik, owner of Wade Shows, for the shows to be hosted; Preparations for the shows; Amusements rides for the shows.

Reports that B&B Amusements Inc. purchased two amusement rides and has signed on 50 dates in the 2000 season. Rides acquired by the carnival; Fairs added to the carnival's schedule; Promotion made by the carnival at San Bernardino, California.

Reports on the statement issued by John Hanschen, co-owner of Mighty Thomas Shows, about the proposed ride regulations in Texas. Terms stated in the proposal; Biggest concern for carnival owners in the state; Information on the shows.

Focuses on the Green Unit of Reithoffer Shows, a carnival business owned by Brooke Evans. Additional amusement rides of Green Unit; Appointment of Evans as second chairman of the Pennsylvania State Showmen's Association Eastern Chapter; Outcome of the Green Unit's 1999 season; Details on the 2000 season of the carnival business.

Focuses on the Wabash Valley Shows, a carnival business owned by Kenny and Anna Hayward. Ticket prices; Start of the carnival's 2000 season; Number of amusement rides offered by Wabash Valley Shows.

Features Robert Brasch, owner and operator of the carnival business Emerald Coast Amusements of Pensacola, Florida. Impact of his losing a hand while setting up a Ferris Wheel on his vision of becoming a big-time operator; How he started in the carnival business; Number of amusement rides; Role of his family members in the business' operations.

Features Lou Hammerl, owner of Hammerl Amusements of Buffalo, New York. How he started in the carnival business; Number of amusement rides offered by Hammerl Amusements; Role of his family in the business.

Reports on the readiness of Amusements of America for the 2000 season, the 60th year for the carnival operated by the five Vivona brothers of Englishtown, New Jersey. Improvements during its off-season; Information on its portable roller coaster; Other amusement rides added to the carnival.

Reports on the upgrade of the `Phantom Fourth' unit of Windy City Amusements, a major carnival operation in Chicagoland, Illinois. Several attractions and rides added to the unit; Admission fee and ticket prices.

Focuses on a survey of 21 carnivals which revealed the big amount that they will spent for new rides and other equipment in 2000. What do people usually want; Details on a chart of a sampling of carnival purchasing plans in 2000.

Focuses on the carnival business of Jack Keogh, Jaro Amusements. Addition of amusement rides in his carnival; Growth of the business; Problems encountered in the business; Overview of his food business.

Reports on the plans of Toby's Amusements carnival retired owner Toby Nemmers to turn over the business to his daughter Sabrina Nemmers and grandson Daniel Yarnell. Amusement ride additions to the show; Route of the show; Performance of the show in 1998.

Reports on the efforts of the Archway Amusements carnival to recover from an October 1998 fire that damaged winter quarters in Imperial, Missouri. Involvement of Archway Amusements in the American Legion-sponsored 1999 Chatham Homecoming in Illinois; Attractions that were added by Archway Amusements; Independent concessionaires booking with Archway Amusements.

Reports on Jerry Wisdom's ride designs at Ken Johnston's Carnival of Fun at the Arizona State Fair. Plans to display the `tweeners' rides; Johnston's operation of a year-round carnival and an amusement park; Rides at the Carnival of Fun; California's possessory interest tax; Establishment of permanent rides at the Open Air market in Stockton, California.

Reports on the abolition of a ten percent admission tax for carnival and amusement rides in the state of Connecticut. Annual amount collected from the tax; Fair organizers' hope that the savings from the tax removal is passed on to the consumers; Reaction from carnival operators.

Probes into the status of the Miller Spectacular Shows. Comments from Johnny Miller; Ride ticket prices; Attractions offered at the carnival.

Reports return of 18 rides for Reithoffer Shows by Bobby Pugh and Rick Reithoffer after it had been held captive in Argentina for two years. How the equipments were controlled in Argentina; Action taken to return the equipment; Remarks of Reithoffer about the equipment.

The article discusses the issues surrounding the safety of carnival rides as of February 2006. Following the death of a 4-year old boy and the heart attack suffered by a teenage girl at the Walt Disney World in Florida, questions were raised regarding the gravitational forces (G-forces) which the rides imparted on their passengers. Several reporters investigated the matter by riding the rides armed with G-force measuring devices. Though the rides from the major theme parks were generally safe, the rides from travelling carnivals were revealed to be dangerous.

This article reports that the 54th annual Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition took place during March 17, 2005 to April 3, 2005. Rain dampened attendance by about 12 percent compared with last year. North American Midway Entertainment provided the 92-ride carnival midway. The final gross income was expected to top $5 million.

The article focuses on the enthusiasm among people regarding carnivals in the United States. Most carnival owners are upbeat about the upcoming season. Many carnival owners see momentum from last year continuing into this season, with economic indicators pointing to success. Many have invested in new rides and businesses and say attendees at recent fairs conventions have been hopeful. The season got off to a good start for North American Midway, with ride and food grosses seeing double-digit growth at the South Florida Fair