Search

Reports on restaurant chain Dave & Buster's opening of locations in the Chicago, Illinois area. Expansion of operations in various cities; Attractions and amenities; Food recipes offered at the sites.

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.

The article presents the information that Showmen's League of America (SLA) in Chicago, Illinois, has moved back into the building it vacated nearly 28 months ago when a mid-December fire in 2001 caused extensive damage to the 47-year-old facility. The club plans to showcase the renovated surroundings during the Outdoor Amusement Business Association's spring meeting, which will held from April 21-23 in Chicago, Illinois. SLA officials, however, opted to postpone a grand re-opening and ribbon cutting until 2005 to ensure that all pieces are in place for a proper dedication.

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.

Windy City Amusements of Saint Charles, Illinois, enters its 26th season with Majestic's new X-Scream, new dates at the Kankakee County Fair and Chicago, Illinois's Merchandise Mart and, hopefully, eager employees from Europe imported through the Polish Embassy. Representatives from about 60 Chicago-area fire departments were present, earning certification for their attendance. Indoor revenues were off due to mild weather and the economy. Ticket prices for rides remain the same as last year. Windy City anticipates the arrival May 1 of 55 college-age students from Poland. The Kankakee County Fair, July 30-August 3, in Kankakee, Illinois, which Windy City assumed from All-Star Amusements, which subcontracted the 2002 midway with Fantasy Amusements, enters the second year with a straight coupon system for the midway Previously, it was a pay-one-price event with the carnival included. The carnival plays about six city festivals.

Focuses on the concerns expressed by trade show attendees at a press conference about the 19th National Halloween, Costume & Party Show scheduled for March 7-11 2003, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Illinois. Information related to other events held during the year; Reason behind the anxiety exhibited by the people.

Reports that Swyear Amusements has signed a deal with Bureau County Fair in Princeton, New Jersey to add a sixth Illinois fair, New Athens to its itinerary. Other county fairs at which New Athens plays; Marketing techniques adopted by Bureau County Fair; Reasons for choosing Illinois fair.

Reports on the overall attendance of Illinois State Fair on August 9 to 18, 2002. Attendance in 2001; Estimated revenues of each grandstand shows at the fair; Promotion of the fair.

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 initiative of All Star Amusements to improve its business operations in Barrington, Illinois. Factors affecting the business performance of the company; Prevalence of bankruptcy in the carnival business.

Reports on the drug testing program initiated by the Spectacular Midways and other carnivals in Chicago, Illinois as of May 2002. Purpose of the program; Cost of the drug testing; Advantages of the program.

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.

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.

Details the fundraising plan of Showmen's League of America (SLA) to rebuild the fire-damaged headquarters in Chicago, Illinois as of April 1, 2002. Actions taken by the SLA Board of Governors; Plans of action of the club; Budget allocated for the construction project.

Reports on an increase in attendance at the 18th National Halloween, Costume & Party Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Illinois in 2002. Concerns over the effect on attendance of the September 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S.; Information on transactions made during the trade show; Decline in business due to weather-related issues.

Presents fair-related issues discussed by fair managers in the annual 'Let's Talk About It' session at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs convention on January 18, 2002. Problems with corporate sponsorship in fairs; Discussion on problems associated with midway contracts; Impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the insurance business.

Reports on a fire that affected the headquarters of the Showmen's League of America in Chicago, Illinois in December 2001. Properties damaged by the fire; Speculations on the cause of the fire; Items salvaged from the fire.

Reports on the success of the carnival industry to dissuade Illinois legislators from passing a bill that requires weekly background checks of show employees before the operation of the carnival. Information on the House Bill 60; Implications of the bill for the carnival industry; Speculations on the demise of the House Bill 60.

Provides information on the Showmen's League of America's (SLA) 'Outrageous Auction' in Chicago, Illinois. Purpose of the proceeds from the auction; Target amount to be raised; Carnival suppliers that made donations for SLA.

Focuses on the inauguration of the USA Fest on September 20-23, 2001 at Balmoral Park racetrack in Crete, Illinois. Features of the event; Sponsors of the event.

Reports on the decision of the football team Chicago Bears to forego selling naming rights to a renovated Soldier Field stadium in Chicago. Illinois dedicated as such at the 1926 Army-Navy game. Number of construction jobs the project could generate; Comments from Max Muhleman of Muhleman Marketing, the company hired by the Bears as its consultant; Information on the game tickets of the team.

Presents the views of carnival owner Steve Thebault on a proposed legislation in Illinois which requires weekly background checks on carnival employees. Need to obtain the opinion of the Chicago Police Department on the law; Amount of paperwork involved with background checks; Criticism against government treatment of the carnival business and other industries where the workers also handle children.

Reports on the stand of Peoria County Sheriff Charles R. Schofield on a bill requiring background checks of employees affiliated with shows operating in Illinois. Observation of Schofield in his visit to the Heart of Illinois Fair; Views of Schofield on the extent of background check; His comments on carnival operations.

Reports that Rainbow Valley Rides of Almond, Wisconsin lent its Ali Baba amusement ride model for Skinner's Amusements in Illinois. Reason for the decision of the company to lend the model; Effort made by Skinners to fix its model; Growth of entertainment events in Wauconda and Crystal Lake in Illinois.

Reports the growth of independent minor league baseball in Chicago, Illinois. Cost of title sponsorship sold by the Cheetahs minor baseball team; Features of the Alexian Field ballpark.

Reports on the decision of the Chicago Cubs baseball team to sell naming rights to the Wrigley Field bleachers in Chicago, Illinois. Purpose of the move; Seating capacity of the Wrigley Field baseball stadium; Ticket prices for a box seat.

Reports that the Illinois House Bill 60 proposing required background checks for carnival employees has been deferred until the fall 2001 session of the Illinois legislature. Purpose of the bill; Criticisms on the bill raised by Jeff Blomsness, owner and operator of All Star Amusements; Decision of the Illinois House of Representatives on the bill.

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 conversion of the indoor operation of Windy City Amusements carnival at Charlestowne Mall in Saint Charles, Illinois. Background of the rides and attractions; Comments from Tony Salerno Jr., owner and operator of the company; Efforts to upgrade the electrical system.

Deals with the possible change in the venue of the 2001 state fair convention of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs (IAAF) Physical condition of Holidome facility in Springfield, Illinois; Details on the programming of IAAF; Officers of IAAF for the year 2001.

Reports that Skinners' Amusements have been a key component of the August 2000 On the Waterfront festival in Illinois. Background information on the festival; Features of the season's show; Remarks from the Skinners' operator.

Reports on the attendance record set by the Illinois State Fair in August 2000 in Springfield, Illinois. Attendance record set in 1969; Gross income generated by Blomsness-Thebault Enterprises in the fair; Reasons for the increase in fair attendance.

Reports on the gross income generated by Blomsness-Thebault Enterprises at the 2000 Illinois State Fair. Amusement rides provided by Spectacular Midways; Band organ showcased by the Thebaults at the fair; Midway promotions utilized by the carnival.

Reports on the celebration of the 2000 Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Feast in Melrose Park, Illinois by Miller Amusements. Effect of the shortened run of the feast on Miller's business; Comments from carnival owner/operator Rich Wyatt; Attractions offered.

Reports on the plans of Spectacular Midways to add the Chance Slingshot to its ride lineup in April 2001 in Chicago, Illinois. Price of the amusement ride; Rides acquired by Spectacular Midways in 1999; Top-grossing rides of the midway; Number of rides and games owned by Spectacular Midways.

Focuses on the season of the Skinners' Amusements carnival that took place in Crystal Lake, Illinois on May 5-7, 2000, sponsored by the Grayslake Exchange Club. Comments from Pat Skinner, owner; Brief description of the carnival; Commitment of Skinner with the Illinois Special Events Network.

Reports on the beginning of the outdoor season of Windy City Amusements company in Charlestowne Mall, St. Charles, Illinois. Overview of the operations; Ticket prices; Ride attractions.

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.

Reveals the attractions of Central Illinois Amusements, a small carnival based in Nilwood, Illinois for the 2000 season. Expected dates in 2000; Employees of CIA; Ride prices.

Deals with the family entertainment event called the Cook County Fair to be launched by the Chicago Motor Speedway in June 2000 in Illinois. Adult gate admission price; Features of the fair; Exhibits; Sponsorship.

Reports that carnival owner Pat Skinner has taken her seven-year battle for rider safety legislation in Illinois to the federal level after failed efforts in state government. Information on the law on rider safety; Remarks from Skinner; Comments from B.D. Fuller of Fun Unlimited.

Reports that SFX Entertainment may possibly book and manage a nightclub as part of a proposed entertainment district surrounding the casino in Rosemont, Illinois. Executives who were promoted in various positions in line with the project; Entertainment facilities developed in the district.

Presents information on Miller Amusements, a carnival owned by Rich Wyatt and Lawrence Maturo in Illinois. Comments from Bill Flynn, ride superintendent; Key personnels of Miller; Details on the carnival business.

Focuses on minor league baseball stadiums in Chicago, Illinois. Cost of the ballpark; Stadium financiers; Design of the ballpark; Amenities.

Reports that Alpine Amusements, Chicago, Illinois, has started its six season at a new date, a fund-raiser for Holy Corinthian Church. Information on owners Don Massie Jr. and his son, Don III; Attractions at Holy Corinthian; Details on Massies' Waymatic food trailer; Ticket prices.

Offers information on the musical events, the Guinness Fleadh and the Coca-Cola Classic B-96 Summer Bash, scheduled in June 1999 in Chicago, Illinois. Ticket prices; Their features; Activities at the events; Guests.

Focuses on the Hotel-Motel Show of the National Restaurant Association Restaurant in May 22-25, 1999 at the McCormick Place South Building, Chicago, Illinois. Its attendance; Keynote speakers of the show; Topics discussed; Challenges facing food service operators.

Reports that Astro Amusements in Illinois has started its second quarter century of operation in 1999. Description of the Dartron Cliffhanger amusement ride in the fair; Other attractions added; Routes of the company for 1999.