Carny Town - Traveling Carnivals, Fairs and Festivals

Manatee Fair comes to close

Link: Bradenton Herald | 01/30/2007 | Fair comes to close.

After an 11-day kaleidoscope of lights, sounds and smells, the Manatee County Fairgrounds seemed strangely subdued Monday. The double-Ferris wheel and other midway rides were in various stages of disassembly. Booths that just hours before sold elephant ears, corn dogs, cotton candy and other fair favorites were boarded up. The pens where horses, cattle, pigs and other farm animals earlier waited their turn on stage were empty. So, too, were the exhibition booths. The 91st annual version of the Manatee County Fair had come and gone, and organizers already were proclaiming it among the best. "It went fantastic," fair manager Dan West said. "It's looking like this will be the second- or third-most attended fair." While a final tally won't be available until later this week, West estimated about 145,000 people passed through the fair's gates. That would place attendance between the 137,700 who went in 2005 and the record 155,000 who attended last year's fair, which West said was blessed with "superb" weather throughout its run. Not so for this year's fair, which saw two days of chilly and damp weather. Fortunately, they occurred during the middle of the week. "Everything went well, except for a little bad weather," said Danny Murphy of The Mighty Blue Grass Shows, which placed 54 rides and attrac

South Florida Fair ends

Link: South Florida Fair ends with organizers calling it 'efficient, safe and well-attended

Thousands of parents and children crowded the fair on the last day of its 17-day run, but event organizers weren't immediately sure whether their presence boosted this year's attendance to meet last year's 598,200. An attendance record of 747,500 was set in 2002. Several chilly days kept the crowds low, including many students and government workers expected to take advantage of various discounts last Thursday, said fair spokesman John Picano. But the weather didn't hurt the fair too badly, he said. "We had an efficient, safe and well-attended fair with few logistical issues," Picano said. Still, not all of the hundreds of food, merchandise and service vendors did so well. "Business has been soft," said Andy Wilkinson, of Hillsboro, Ohio, who brought his pins business to the fair for the 17th year. "The crowds just aren't as big as they used to be. A lot of people say it's the high insurance and taxes that keep people away." A few stands away, though, business was brisk for Marie Pinner's candle and potpourri shop. Her soy-made candles were selling so well she had trouble keeping them in stock. This was the first time she drove from Gatlinburg, Tenn., to sell her wares

Midway II

Midway II, originally uploaded by Tiffibunny.

MiniMelts - The Ice Cream Dream

Link: MiniMelts - The Ice Cream Dream.

Everyone Likes Ice Cream, Everyone Will Love Mini Melts. That’s why we say, “Taste it and love it”. Of course, not all ice creams are created equal. We use an ultra premium base mix, and search out the highest quality flavors from around the globe … Mini Melts offers something wholly different…

Possible collaboration between Frontier Days and Manson Crater Days

Link: The Messenger - Fort Dodge, Iowa.

A possible collaboration between the Frontier Days committee and Manson Greater Crater Days committee could pave the way for ‘‘bigger and better’’ area festivals. Members from the two committees met Wednesday in an effort to consider pooling resources and ideas for their annual summer events. ‘‘We’re both looking to make our events bigger and better,’’ said Charles Clayton, president of the Frontier Days committee. ‘‘We’re hoping it’s something that’ll bring more people to the festivals and, hopefully, will save some money.’’ Last year the future of the annual Frontier Days festival was uncertain after the Fort Dodge Dragoons announced they would no longer be organizing the event after 30 years of involvement. In February of the same year a small committee was formed to keep the festival going and managed to prevent last year’s event from being canceled.

Two Managers for NJ State Fair 2007

Link: New Jersey Herald.

There will be two managers running the 2007 New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, but one of them will be gone by 2008. Dr. Howard Worts, fair manager for the last six years, has decided he will retire at the end of this year. "I turned 70 in November," Worts said. "It's time to turn this over to a younger man." However, Worts still has one more Farm and Horse Show in him, though this year he will be managing it with the help of his hired replacement and current co-manager Bob Silk. "I've known (Silk) for a long time," Worts said. "I feel very comfortable he will be able to take the reins of the fair." Silk, who arrived at the fairgrounds earlier this month, spent the last 5 1/2 years as the manager of another fair in New Hampshire, where he still resides while he searches for a new home here. "I've been in the industry for 25 years," Silk said. "I have plenty of experience ... it's just a matter of getting out here, learning the rules and regulations in New Jersey and getting a feel for the fairgrounds." Silk said it will be challenging to manage a fair in a new state, but he is "looking forward to it" because the New Jersey State Fair is one of the top fairs in the Northeast. He will begin to learn the new rules quickly, long before the fair, as the fai

New Amusement Ride Video Site

Amusement Video's are available at  www.amusementvideo.com  and is a free online video streaming service that allows users to view and share videos that have been uploaded by our members.

Is amusementvideo.com really free?

Yes. Anyone can view and share videos, and members can upload videos and use other features, free of charge.We do offer upgraded sevices for a small fee, this is not mandatory.

How do I watch and save videos?

Watching videos on amusementvideo.com couldn't be easier just come to the site and browse around, or search for subjects that interest you. To save your favorites for later, you need to sign up as a member, and then click the 'Add to Favorites' link underneath the videos you want to watch later. You can also create playlists to group favorite videos together into your own personal categories.

Ride Guy

Carny, originally uploaded by kwiers.

Davidson Amusement new web site

Link: Davidson Amusement Devices - new website designed by Matt Cook

Davidson Amusement Devices is dedicated in trying harder to please you by promoting a drug-free staff and with an amusement park atmosphere. We supply spectacular, adult, kiddy rides, your favorite carnival foods, and many winnable games. Steve and Lori Davidson established Davidson Amusement Devices in 1996 with only 6 rides and serving Missouri and surrounding states. Currently we field 20 rides and attractions constantly upgrading the show with new equipment. In 2007 we will be taking delivery of our Giant Gondola Wheel which will tower the midway at 55' above the ground.

Festival to feature food, cars, music and fireworks

Link: Festival to feature food, cars, music and fireworks.

Mt. Clemens is preparing to introduce a summer festival that organizers hope will become a signature event for the county and perhaps the region. The Stars & Stripes Festival, set for June 29-July 1, is to include bands, dozens of food vendors, classic cars and fireworks. Its goal is to attract more than 250,000 visitors.