Carny Town - Traveling Carnivals, Fairs and Festivals

There are happenings for every holiday -- and budget - Family Life - MiamiHerald.com

Link: There are happenings for every holiday -- and budget - Family Life - MiamiHerald.com.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, there's no denying the thrill that comes to kids of all ages upon seeing a parade of lights, a fir tree capped with a glittering star, or the lighting of a menorah.

Alas, in these Grinchish days when a dollar's increasingly hard to come by -- and hang on to -- you have to pick your holiday celebrations wisely. To help you, here's a sampling of attractions and events, many free or inexpensive, to brighten your season.

Santa's Enchanted Forest: Families have been flocking to this giant carnival and Christmas theme park for 26 years. You'll find more than three million lights, a 92-foot Christmas tree, dozens of rides, a petting zoo, music, games and live entertainment. It's open from 5 p.m. to midnight nightly through Jan. 4 at Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th St., Miami. Tickets are $22.90, $15.90 seniors and children 9 and under, free for kids 2 and under; seasonal passes available for $37.38 and $27.10; 305-559-9689 or santasenchan tedforest.com.

Santa's Theme Park a no-show this year

Link: Santa's Theme Park a no-show this year.

Motorists driving along Interstate 10 south of Ahwatukee won't have to worry about gawkers slowing to check out the lights of Santa's Theme Park this year.

The attraction that had set up millions of festive lights for the past three winters at Firebird International Raceway will not return to the Valley this year.

Attempts to reach Santa's LLC have been unsuccessful, but Alia Maisonet, spokeswoman for the Gila River Indian Community, where Firebird Raceway is located, said the reasons were financial.

10 THINGS TO DO

Link: 10 THINGS TO DO.

Stuttgart’s annual Wings Over the Prairie festival is in full swing with arts and crafts, a sporting collectibles show and a carnival and midway. Duckflavored activities include the Great Duck 10K Race, the duck gumbo cook-off and the World Championship Duck Calling Contest. Activities continue through Saturday in downtown Stuttgart. General admission is free, but some events will have participation fees. Visit www.

stuttgartarkansas.com or call (870) 673-1602.

New ride operator for fair. The Minutes of the Michigan State Fair & Exposition Center Authority Board of Directors

Link: Michigan State Fair - The Minutes of the Michigan State Fair & Exposition Center Authority Board of Directors.

Chairman Gaffney stated that because we did not receive six (6) affirmative votes on the motions made at the November meeting, the Board would need to go back and re-visit the actions taken at the October and November meetings as it concerns the Midway contract for the Fair. Chairman Gaffney reported that in order to get the Midway contract matter resolved and completed today we would need to take at least four (4) separate votes on this item. These votes would include renewing, reconsidering, and/or reopening consideration of the previous failed Motions. A brief discussion was held regarding the various votes to be taken today, the number of votes that would have to be made in the affirmative in order for the Motion to pass and what each of these votes would mean as it relates to the Midway vendor for the Fair.

canon in a different key: So, 25 is NOT the new 15...

Link: canon in a different key: So, 25 is NOT the new 15....

So, the point of this post is that I learned a little lesson tonight. Simply put: I'm too old for crazy fair rides. I'm especially too old for crazy fair rides immediately following the consumption of crazy greasy fair food.

Pioneer Village renamed

Link: Allegan News Online.

Resident Allegan County historian John Pahl was honored by the Allegan County Historical Society last Thursday, Nov. 20, for his years of dedication to preserving the history and heritage of Allegan County. In a celebration featuring cake and a talk by another recognized historian Larry Massie, the historical society officially announced the renaming of the Historical or Pioneer Village housed on the grounds of the Allegan County Fair to be the John Pahl Historical Village.

Calaveras County Fair lines up entertainment

Link: Calaveras Enterprise.

If all goes well, the Sons of the San Joaquin may perform at the 2009 Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee.

FayObserver.com - Current Article Page

Link: FayObserver.com - Current Article Page.

The county fair manager will be terminated on Dec. 10, the third Crown Center employee to lose his job on the heels of an ethics investigation, according to an e-mail he sent to colleagues.

But Hubert Bullard, the fair manager for the past 11 years, is asking the county-owned entertainment venue to keep him for one more year so the fair doesn’t fall apart.

Bullard, Crown Chief Executive Paul Beard and Marketing Director Windy Lawson were suspended Oct. 10 after the county received at least five signed affidavits complaining about their behavior. Beard resigned effective Dec. 31, and Lawson’s resignation became official Friday.

Bullard, according to an e-mail he sent to the Fair Advisory Committee, was reinstated Nov. 10 and was told his contract with the Crown would be terminated 30 days from then.

At least one of the affidavits that led to the ethics investigation accused Bullard and Beard of drinking from a bottle of Jack Daniels in a rental van while returning from Cabarrus County on a business trip with co-workers.

Some members of the 50-member advisory committee said Bullard shouldn’t lose his job. Dorothy Kitchen has worked with the fair for decades. She said it’s not fair to fire Bullard and that the fair will suffer without him.

“Cumberland County Fair, if he does not run it, will go down the tube,” Kitchen said.

West Virginia: Three enter no-contest pleas in Berkeley County Youth Fair fight

Link: West Virginia: Three enter no-contest pleas in Berkeley County Youth Fair fight.

Three members of a Martinsburg family involved in a scuffle with Berkeley County Sheriff's Department deputies at the county's youth fair this summer entered no-contest pleas Monday afternoon to a total of six misdemeanor charges as part of an agreement to resolve the case.

Ned M. Feltner, 61, and his wife, Sharon K. Feltner, both of 17 Pisces Place, and their son, Troy M. Feltner, 35, of 1356 Rock Cliff Drive, appeared before Magistrate Joan V. Bragg with their attorney, Harley O. Wagner.

"It was a very unfortunate incident, which the Feltners very much regret," Wagner said.

Melanie Heinrich - Video -Powers Great American Midways Promo Video

Link: Melanie Heinrich - Video -Powers Great American Midways Promo Video.

This is a promotional video I created for my brother-in-law and sister’s amusement business (Powers Great American Midways). They use this video at conventions and send it to potential committee members. It was designed to be short yet filled with all the important details promoting their business.