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Features Queensland School for Travelling Show Children students. Reason behind the creation of the school; Conditions of show kids; Background on the education of show kids; Improvement in the carnival; Description of the relationship among show people.

The article focuses on the life of former Republican and lecturer Reid Lefevre and the popularity of his travelling carnival known as the King Reid Show in Vermont. It explores how the carnival became popular since it started in 1934 at a fair in the town of Ludlow. It mentions that Lefevre brought his carnival show to the State House to respond to a number of requests from the Senate. It cites that the former Republican was regarded as one of the most engaging speakers in the legislature.

Profiles carnival owner Larry Davis. Career as a golfer; Personal information; Achievements.

Like the average motorist, carnival owners and others in the outdoor amusement industry are coping with the rapidly rising price of fuel in a number of different ways. Jim Murphy of Mighty Blue Grass Shows in Tampa, Florida, had one of the more succinct answers to the question. "Pay it. There's not a lot more you can do," said Murphy, who finished his winter route with a record run at the Sarasota Fair. Murphy's older brother, Jerry, of Murphy Bros. Exposition, was much more adamant about the situation.

While the short and long-term impact of the Iraqi War of 2003 is still unclear, it has resulted in a hike in gasoline prices. Since the outbreak of war, gas and diesel prices have bounced about at record high levels. Carnival owners in the U.S. are looking for ways to offset the high cost of gas. And, more so than ever, show owners and operators are paying special attention to the cost of gasoline. Petroleum is needed to move the shows around the country and to power the rides and trailers. Some shows are taking a wait-and-see approach to petroleum prices while others before the season even began have made plans to raise ticket prices. Fuel cost will also be a consideration for people coming to the fairs and special events.

Several carnival owners feel that the advent of the cellular phone has been a godsend to the communications of the amusement industry. In the days before cellular phones, a show had to call the phone company to have a line turned on each time it traveled to a different spot. If the phones did get turned on in time, the show paid for the whole month, even though it used the line for much less than that. “The phones rarely were on when you got to the spot,” said John Tolve of Lyndhurst, New Jersey-based Tolve Presentations. Applications of cellular phones have included a full range of solutions that benefit the traveling amusement industry, including integrated voice and mobile data and a reliable and seamless network that can significantly improve the show's bottom line. The phones offer wireless processes for e-mail, timesheets, scheduling, and dispatching among other things. Cellular phones with Internet access take it one step further, allowing the user to check everything from the weather to electronic mail.

Focuses on a survey conducted by the journal 'Amusement Business' on the spending behavior of carnival show owners for the 2003 carnival shows in the U.S. Factors responsible for show owners' decision of taking an off year in 2003; Money invested on amusement rides by Earl Butler of Butler Amusements Inc.

Focuses on the optimism of carnival owners on the increase attendance to entertainment events in the United States for year 2002. Dale Merriam of Merriam's Midway Shows; Frank Zaitshik of Wade Shows; Alf Phillips of Conklin Shows.

Presents the opinions of carnival owners in the United States on the impact of fairs and festivals on their business. Bobby Myers of Myers International Midways in Gibsonton, Florida; Jackie Swika of S&S Amusements in Jermyn, Pennsylvania; Ron Burback of Funtastic Shows in Portland, Oregon.

Deals with the 1999 season of the Gillette Shows, a carnival company based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Comments by Betty Gillette, owner of the Gillette Shows, on the weather for the 1999 season; Role of the Typhoon ride in the carnival's success for the season; Number of food concessions and games set up by Gillette in each fair; Reasons Gillette has been absent from the February Trade Show in Gibsonton, Florida.

Offers a look at the views of carnival owners on pay-one-price (P-O-P) ride promotions in the United States. List of carnivals that approved the P-O-P ride promotions.

Profiles several carnival owners in the United States. Ron Burback, co-owner of Funtastic Rides Co., Inc. in Portland, Oregon; Don Deggeller, owner of Deggeller Attractions in Stuart, Florida; J.D. Floyd, co-owner of Cumberland Valley shows in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Ed Gregory Jr., 66, controversial and colorful former owner of United Shows of America Inc., died Easter Sunday, on April 11, at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, after suffering from pulmonary lung disease for the last few months. Jim Ed Brown, well known country music entertainer, who was a friend and business associate of Gregory, said that country music lost one of the best friends it ever had. Gregory promoted big shows with up to 30 artists at the Florida State Fair and West Palm Beach when his carnival had the contract there.

Janice Burton of Burton Brothers Amusements, Shirley, Indiana, said she feels sorry for carnival owners who do not have family members they can turn to whenever necessary. Her entire family is involved with the show, including her husband, her sons and their wives. According to Burton, the show always stays together in one unit. The company brochure states that Burton Brothers is based on loyal, close family values and principles. Burton Brothers, moves with 30 rides and 10 food trailers, all of which are family owned. They also own games of their own.

The article reports that, carnival owners who operate in Illinois have been swift in their reaction to Senate Bill 3069, otherwise known as the Carnival Ride Operator Act. The bill has already been passed by the state's senate and now goes to the house. The bill targets only people who work for carnivals and not those employed at amusement parks or other transient businesses, such as rodeos, theatrical performances, craft shows, flea markets, rock concerts, or any other businesses that travel from location to location.

Despite a tough year for many carnival operators, due mainly to weather and other concerns, the International Independent Showmen's Foundation had a successful 36th annual trade show and extravaganza. But while the sun shone during most of the event, the winds of change were swirling. It appears changes may be inevitable for future shows, including shortening the duration. Two days of meetings between an Exhibitor's Committee and trade show chairmen and supervisors of the club covered numerous suggestions. The consensus seemed to be that the exhibitors would like to have the trade show run from Wednesday through Saturday, instead of the present Tuesday through Sunday.

John Taggart, the owner of carnival company Big T Concessions, says that at this year's San Diego County Fair he was very busy in his office attending phone calls, doing paperwork and paying employees. Taggart started in the business nearly 40 years ago, working as a booking agent for Fairtime Shows. Through a business association he had with a couple of toy dealers from Korea, Taggart came to own 25% of a company called Ajean Toy, but when the majority partners decided to sell, he ended up poorly compensated for his equity in the firm.

While most carnival owners have noticed a decline in revenue from games in recent years, Joey Fowler of Fowler's Games, believes the future of games is good and it all depends on operators adjusting to a changing world. Fowler and his wife, Ann Marie, will be running Jersey Joe's Boardwalk for the first time this year in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Fowler had games with Lawrence Carr Shows in New York City and was to join Murphy for a celebration in Illinois, immediately after that on July 4, before heading to the Heart of Illinois State Fair, to be held from July 11-19 in Peoria. Fowler builds frames, himself, for all of his games and buys his water games from Denny's Electronics of Nokomis. He said the hottest stock items are still Spongebob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer.

Harlan Bast, the owner of Hildebrand's Midway of Fun Inc. carnival, has taken a second job as head of the concession department for Murphy Bros. Exposition in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bast said he would stay with Hildebrand's most of the time through August. He will be with Murphy full time at the New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Tulsa State Fair, Oklahoma. Bast has also signed a new four-year contract with the Suwanee County Youth Fair & Livestock Show, Live Oak and a three-year deal with the DeSoto County Fair, Arcadia, Florida.

Carnival owner, Mike Featherston of GoldStar Amusements knows how to look at the bright side following up a rain-filled weekend festival. Featherston says that he is saving money on windshield wipers as weather is warm and sunny when it is time to move on the show, which is usually on Mondays. Featherston has 15 year-round employees, including William Purdy, who not only serves as general manager but also has rides and games.

Michael's Amusements in Hebron, Ohio, owned by Michael Albanese and Michael's Enterprises in Fayetteville, North Carolina, owned by Michael Reisinger would be working at least two Ohio fair dates in 2003. Both the carnival owners are good friends of each other. Besides his carnival, Albanese has a separate independent route for two food stands and 18 games, called Albanese Food and Games Concessions. Albanese said the 2002 season was a little tough, mainly because it was an extremely hot summer, more so than usual.

Jimmy Reed of Reed Exposition Midway, Lufkin, Texas, has signed Event Marketing Group of Dade City, Florida to conduct Megapass programs for three fair dates in 2003. Reed owns the carnival with his wife, parents, three brothers and two sisters. The company, owned by Steven White and Greg Bean, has already had two successful Megapass initiatives with Reed in 2003 season. The wristbands selling on the carnival midway in San Antonio in Texas gives both flexibility and discount to customers.

Carnival,Mid America Shows' Danny Huston had great news to report from Michigan amid the horrible spring weather, bad economy and the war with Iraq, all factors that have put a crimp on carnival grosses early in the season for shows playing the Mid-west as of May 2003. The carnival's ticket prices have increased from 75 cents to $1 in 2003 as compared tom 2002. But there was a 12% gain in ticket sales, an overall 26% increase in spending in 2003 season and Mid America sold more armbands at $17 for a six-hour period.

Presents views of carnival owner Larry Harder on the performance of his company Indianhead Amusements in 2002 and his expectations from the 2003 business season. Factors responsible for a poor performance of the company in 2002; Entertainment options that would be offered by the carnival in 2003; Information on admission charges to the carnival.

Focuses on the predictions of show owners about the prospect of carnivals in the U.S. in 2003. Concern of show owners regarding an increase in the insurance rates; Efforts to be made by Pat Skinner to make her Chicago, Illinois-based theme park called Skinners' Amusements a success; Opinion of Belle City Amusements park owner Charles Panacek on the condition of theme parks in 2003.

Discusses plans of carnival owners for the trade show of the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions Conventions in Orlando, Florida in 2003. Focus of the owners with regard to the exhibition; Effect of weather on spending plans of the owners; Proposal for adding several rides to carnivals.

Reports on the decline in record attendance of the Strates Shows at Dixie Classic Fair in Winston-Salem, North Carolina during October 2002 due to heavy rain. Comment of the Strates on high percentages being offered by some carnival owners to obtain dates; Ticket prices of the concert; Importance of expenses and rightsizing.

Presents an interview with Frank Zaitshik, owner of United States-based carnival Wade Shows. Participation of the carnival in the 2002 Michigan State Fair; Condition of the carnival industry in the U.S.; Health problems of his mother.

Pays tribute to carnival owner Milton Kaufman, who died on April 12, 2002. Professional background; Contribution to the amusement industry; Reaction of his friends to his death.

Reports on the statements issued by Donald Siekerman, safety director of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, on the need for carnival owners to comply with rules governing truck drivers. Federal policies on trucks crossing state boundaries; Proper paperwork for trucks.

Reports on the inclusion of carnival owners William T. Collins, F.G. Wood, E. James Strates and John Vivona into the Outdoor Amusement Business Association's Hall of Fame. Requirement for owners to be considered leaders in outdoor amusements; Profile of carnival owners; Process in selecting the owners to be included into the Hall of Fame.

Reveals the amount to be spend by carnival owners in the United States to be spent on amusement rides purchases for year 2002. Ron Burback of Funtastic Shows in Portland, Oregon; Rich Byrum, vice president of bookings for Butler Amusements; Frank Zaitshik of Wade Shows.

Provides information on the Family Fun Shows, a carnival in Mankato, Minnesota, owned by Greg Hughes. Comments of Hughes on the business; Background of the carnival; Ticket prices.

Reports on the complaint of Terry Portemont, owner of All-American Shows in Andalusia, Alabama, that manufacturers have priced rides so high that carnival owners will not be able to buy them. States where All-American Shows booked shows; Number of rides that Portemont brought to the Wilson County Fair; Number of All-American Shows games and food concessions.

Presents opinions of several carnival owners in the United States whether the level of talent booked by a fair or festival indicates a success. Don Deggeller of Deggeller Attractions of Stuart, Florida; Alan Cockerham of Bill Hames Shows of San Antonio, Texas; John Hanschen of Mighty Thomas Carnival from Austin, Texas.

Discusses the business of Ed and Karen Chicketti, owners of C&S Amusements in Ohio. Amusement properties they own; Background of the family; Information on the carnival shows the family has engaged in.

Looks at the problems facing Bobby Hauser, owner of West Coast Amusements in Langley, British Columbia. His comments on Canadian government taxes; New equipment of the company as of April 2001; Information on the company's four units.

Focuses on the views of carnival owners on the problems in hiring employees in the United States. Explanations of Harold Fera of Rockwell Amusements on the problem; Strategy used by Buddy Miller of World of Fun to recruit employees; Suggestions from Joe Pescatore of J&M Amusements on how to retain employees.

Pays tribute to Kane Fernandez, president and chief executive officer of Fernandez Entertainment Inc. and E.K. Fernandez Shows Inc., who died at the age of 64 on January 9, 2001. Cause of death; Educational background; Awards and achievements.

Reports that a group of carnival owners met informally during the 74th convention of the Texas Association of Fairs & Expositions to discuss potential state legislation they fear could affect their industry. Topic included in the discussion; Implications of the legislation; Outcome of the discussion.

Focuses on the operations of United Exposition Inc. of DeSotto, Missouri after the death of owner Joe Sutton in August 2000. Features of the company's carnival attractions; Details on the operations handled by Sutton's children; Other deaths in the company and family.

Pays tribute to carnival owner Billy Baxter who died on September 3, 2000. Contributions to companies Floyd & Baxter Manufacturing and Cumberland Valley; Recognitions and awards given to Baxter.

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.

Announces that Funtastic Shows of Portland, Oregon had to cut back to three units in the 2000 season. Causes of the cutbacks; Effect of the show's random drug testing on employees; Information on the units. INSET: Funtastic, Pathways Team For Smart Card.

Reports on the changes made by Ed Burlingame for his Pride of Texas Shows entertainment operation. Additional amusement rides; Change in the show's color scheme; Personnel that contributed to the smooth operation.

Deals with the task of Gary Hughes as a carnival show owner. Show spots he has on his schedule for 2000; How he started his career in the carnival business.

Unveils the prediction by James H. Drew Exposition owner Jimmy Drew of Augusta, Georgia on the future of traveling shows for 2000. Economics of the business; Church dates in Northern Florida when the show will be playing; Comments from Drew.

Reports that Jimmy Reed of Reed Exposition Midway in Lufkin, Texas thinks his carnival has a good chance at getting the contract for the carnival midway at the New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque. Comments from Reed; Family members in the carnival operations; Information on Reed Exposition's staff; Works done by Reed.

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.