Carny Town - Traveling Carnivals, Fairs and Festivals

Douglas County Fair talent lineup announced | The News-Review - NRtoday.com

For the first time, Douglas County Fair officials have announced five headline musical acts. That's one for each night of this year's fair.

The local talent show, Entertainment Extraordinaire, will be moved to the Bi-Mart stage to make way for Saturday's headliner, British rocker Billy Idol.

The acts will take the stage at 7 p.m. Aug. 3, 4, and 5 and also at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, and for the first time on a Saturday, Aug. 7.

Idol, described by Fairgrounds Director Harold Phillips as one of MTV's first stars, is well known for his hits which spanned the 1980s. His songs include “White Wedding,” “Rebel Yell,” and “Mony, Mony.”

He will take the stage with his longtime musical partner, guitarist Steve Stevens, and perform both classic tunes and his brand-new songs “John Wayne” and “New Future Weapon.”

Friday's entertainer — the German hard rock band Scorpions — found success in the states with its hits “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” “Send Me an Angel” and “Still Loving You.”

Phillips said he has tried to get Scorpions to the fair in the past, but has previously missed them by a matter of days. The fair is lucky, he added, to catch the band on its farewell tour to follow the 2010 release of its final album, “Sting in the Tail.”

He expects the response to Scorpions to be much like when the rock band Poison visited a few years ago, when more than 18,000 people attended the fair. Phillips expects tickets to sell out quickly after they become available at 8 a.m. Saturday. They will be available at the fair office and online at www.douglasfairgrounds.com.

Thursday's performer, Miranda Lambert, hit the country music scene in 2005 with the album “Kerosene,” the first of her three albums to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums. Prior to her success, Lambert competed on the 2003 season of “Nashville Star.” Her singles “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and “White Liar” have been very successful in recent years.

“We are very excited to have Miranda Lambert at the fair,” Phillips said.

Wednesday night will feature Australian rock musicians, Little River Band, which formed in 1975 and by 1982 was the only act to have a top 10 U.S. single for six consecutive years. Their songs include “Reminiscing,” “Lonesome Loser” and “Take it Easy on Me.”

Grammy nominated country star Jake Owen will open the lineup of headline music, performing on Tuesday. He released his second album in 2009, titled “Easy Does It” which produced the hits “Don't Think I Can't Love You” and “Eight Second Rule.”

He has opened for several country acts, including Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Sugarland.

Phillips said he is excited about the fair lineup. Every year, he tries to best the high standards set by the last.

In addition to the musical performers, the fair will feature free entertainment nightly by the Acrobats of Hebei China, the sports team Metal Mulisha that will perform high-flying dirt bike stunts, juggler performer Greg Frisbee and Terrance B the Hypnotist.

via www.nrtoday.com

West Michigan News from the Grand Haven Tribune a Michigan Newspaper

ALLEGAN — Tickets go on sale April 15 for Terry Fator at the Allegan County Fair in September.

Fator was the winner of the 2007 "America's Got Talent" show. Fator and His Cast of Thousands will be on a six-city concert tour this fall, and one of the stops is the Allegan County Fair on Friday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $35 for the grandstand, $40 for the track and $50 for the Gold Circle. All seats are reserved.

Tickets will be available at the Allegan County Fair box office or by phone at (888) 673-6501. They may also be purchased through Star Tickets outlets inside Meijer stores or by calling (800) 585-3737.

The 158th Allegan County Fair dates are Sept. 10-18.

On the Net:

www.allegancountyfair.net

via www.grandhaventribune.com

Welcome to Brown's Amusements

Sherry and Danny Brown are the owners and operators of Brown's Ammusements. They built the company with many hours of hard work and perseverance. They grew up in this business and spent a lot of time learning from the best. The couple says they are were fortunate enough to have spent many years on the road with some of the industry's best operators. With that experience behind them, they decided it was time to branch out on their own and make a name for themselves.

via www.brownsamusements.com

Sippers by Design

via www.sippersbydesign.com

Community says goodbye to friend of the fair | chillicothegazette.com | Chillicothe Gazette

Jim Cawley, better known to friends as Butter, had officially resigned from the fair board March 1 as health issues kept him in and out of a nursing home and hospital throughout February. After 37 years volunteering with the fair, Cawley's absence on the board was going to be missed, but Fair Board President Brad Cosenza knew he still could call if he needed an answer or a tidbit of history.

"I have a great admiration and respect for Butter ... He gave willingly of himself. Thirty-seven years in a volunteer position, that speaks volumes to who he really was," Cosenza said.

Cawley's dedication was recognized when the Ohio Fair Managers Association inducted him into its hall of fame for his years of service in 2003. He also received the 2003 Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellowship Award, 2001 Outstanding Fair Supporter for District 4 and concession manager of the year from the Greater Ohio Showman Association. Cawley, 76, spent 21 years as secretary for the Ross County Fair Board and nine as fair manager.

"I just like the fair, that's all," he told the Chillicothe Gazette after receiving the hall of fame honor.

Rick Ginther, current board member and former board president, praised Cawley as an ambassador for the fair and focusing on it being an event for children, 4-H and junior 4-H.

"Jim was an ambassador of the fair industry, not just Ross County," Ginther said.

Cawley's enthusiasm was contagious throughout the state, Ginther added. His approach to marketing and attracting sponsorships and new acts was something other fairs have modeled, Ginther said.

"He had this uncanny ability to go to different companies to get sponsorship to support the fair," Ginther said, adding sponsorship is key for non-profit organizations. "He was always keen to put out it was for the kids."

He always tried to recruit others to the fair. Cawley and fellow long-timer Gary Prater recruited Cosenza to the board and have always helped him along the way.

"(The fair) was something he lived for," Cosenza said. "He's sorely going to be missed."

His generosity went beyond the fair. He and his wife, Bonnie, once owned and operated the Valley Carry-Out in Bainbridge. A friend of Cosenza's always told of how the Cawleys would run down to the store and open it up if someone really needed something late at night.

"He and his wife are just wonderful people," Cosenza said.

Cawley also was mayor of Bainbridge for one term and was a 50-year member of the Bainbridge Masonic Lodge 196.

Friends and family will say one last goodbye at Thursday services. Staying with Cawley's passion in life, the family is asking that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Junior Fair of Ross County.

via www.chillicothegazette.com

Fair Season Opens With E. coli Warnings - Food Safety News - Global Food Safety News & Information : Presented By Marler Clark LLP, PS

When the Clay County Fair in Florida gets under way tomorrow for the first ten days of April, America's love affair with fairs will be back in season.

What remains to be seen is whether the $2.2 million that one fair just agreed to pay a Fresno girl who contracted an E. coli strain from visiting the Big Fresno Fair's petting zoo five year ago will mean safer fairs everywhere in 2010.

via www.foodsafetynews.com

Check out what's waiting for you at the fair! | fair, yuma, rotary - News - YumaSun

The Yuma County Fair provides treats as diverse as the region, with an added bonus: Much of the money made by the food vendors stays in Yuma County.

This is no place for a diet, noted Kelly Watkins, fair manager. Although they bring in a few professional vendors, they make certain they do not conflict with the menu items of their nonprofits, he said.

"We're pretty unique because most fairs have just commercial sellers and not many service clubs. But the clubs keep everything in the community. That's why we have the community support we do. It's one of our big pluses, just like our schools that let out the kids for the week."

Perennial favorite Kammann sausage served at the Yuma Rotary Club booth has been around since Walter Kammann shared his Wisconsin homestyle recipe 50 years ago.

Grandson Jeff maintains tradition with sausages on a stick for $2.50. A tri-tip beef combo plate is $7.

Rotary supports the Teacher of the Year, students of the month and college scholarships with its proceeds.

Jeff remembers his grandfather working hard at the booth, saying "I consider it a real honor to follow in his footsteps."

Judy Newman, fair visitor, was enjoying a tri-tip sandwich, which she said was awesome. But she also praised Rotary's menu because her granddaughter, who is autistic and on a restricted diet, can enjoy their items, especially sausage on a stick. "It's her 'bomb' and she loves it," Newman said.

Fair attendees will also want to sink their teeth into the Shriners Club Kansas City-style barbecue ribs, said Dale Krieger.

"They're really meaty ribs and a good deal for $7. This is one of our biggest fundraisers and benefits our 22 Shriner Hospitals for Children all over North America."

Knights of Columbus anticipates a big turnout this year as they are the only nonprofit who accepts credit cards, said Leroy Zacher. Cards accepted are Master Card, VISA and  Discover.

The Knights are trying something new: a blooming onion, Zacher noted.

"We're excited. It's deep-fried and has a dipping sauce."

The Knights support weekly spaghetti dinners at the American Legion Post 56. They also provide two $500 scholarships for students wanting to attend college and two $500 scholarships for students entering Yuma Catholic High School.

Visitors also love the Elks' chicken dinner —  three pieces for $5, said Stu Johnson.  And to wash it down, there is a Rock Star energy drink for $2.50, he said.

"The Elks are all about kids and veterans and that's where all our money goes." They support education projects as well as veterans, Johnson noted.

At the 4-H Club booth, they like to keep it simple with pizza slices for $2. They also have nachos, said Shannon Price. And they boast the cheapest sodas, "by far the best price you can get out here, 50 cents for a small."

The 4-H Club provides $10,000 in yearly scholarships ranging from $250 to $1,000.

From the Sunrise Optimist Club, visitors can have a five different combo plates of rolled or folded tacos with beans and rice for $8.75, said John McKinley.

"Every year we give three $250 scholarships for AWC, renewable for four semesters. And we gave $6,000 to District 1 for their track program this year."

The pork tenderloin is a specialty of the American Legion but the catfish dinner, both $6, "is what we're really known for," said Terry Green, senior vice commander of Post 19. They typically provide all high schools with yearly scholarships between $500 and $1,000.

Big sellers at the Jaycees are shrimp or tri-tip combo plates that include salad, chili, beans and a tortilla, said Robert Olague.

"But we're also known for our root beer floats. Everybody loves those things. It's kind of like the A&W style."

The Jaycees contribute to American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Amberly's Place and the Salvation Army.

Fair visitor

via www.yumasun.com

Demolition derby circuit coming to Washington County Fair | OregonLive.com

The newspaper gets hundreds of press releases a day, many from places or events that have nothing to do with the Portland area. So if we don't recognize who a release is coming from, it often ends up in ye old circular file.

That was nearly the fate of a release today from something called the Demolition Cup, which was sent by DD Entertainment in San Diego. At first glance, the odds that it would have something to do with our readership area seemed remote.

But this one bucked the odds. An examination of the Demolition Cup site revealed that the new demolition derby national tour was planning a stop in Hillsboro, in conjunction with the July 29 - Aug. 1 Washington County Fair. The Aug. 1 derby will be the second of four events in the Demolition Cup's west coast region this year.

Would-be drivers can check out the entry requirements, and fans can just mark the date on their calendars. With driver nicknames like "Porn Star" and "Pretty Boy," how bad could it possibly be?

via www.oregonlive.com

Cheap Trick cancels

Cheap Trick has canceled its July 30 concert at the Dubuque County Fair.
According to the Dubuque County Fair Association, the band has accepted an offer from a Las Vegas facility to perform multiple dates that would have conflicted with the date they were to play in Dubuque.
Tickets were to go on sale Saturday. Tickets will still go on sale for the Saturday night concert, featuring Theory of a Deadman and Saving Abel.

via www.thonline.com

DVD Review: 'Carny'

If you're a fan of the films provided by RHI Entertainment, Genius Products, and/or the SyFy Channel, then you already know what you're in for with a flick like Carny. Obviously unrelated to the 1980 Jodie Foster film of the same name, this new Carny stars video flick stalwart Lou Diamond Philips as a small town lawman who is forced to contend with an evil carnival manager. But more specifically, he's forced to contend with the evil carnival manager's bloodthirsty "Jersey Devil" beast, which has just escaped its cage and loves nothing more than eating small town idiots.

For all its cheap silliness and ridiculously familiar trappings, Carny is no better or worse than most of its "Maneater Series" ilk. Then again, when you're talking about a DVD franchise that includes titles like Blood Monkey, Grizzly Rage, Shark Swarm, aland Sand Serpents ... I guess the bar's not being lifted all that high. What Carny has in its corner is this: a stoic Lou Diamond Philips doing his b-movie best, a handful of really interesting "freaks" that go nowhere fast but do manage to add a little weirdness to a rather dry affair (plus the latex effects aren't half bad); frequent attacks from the gargoyle-ish monster; and one of the evilest bastards to ever manage a carnival.

Seriously, the carnival barker known as Cap (played with oily malevolence by Alan C. Peterson) is so sleazy, manipulative, and hateful, he manages to upstage the carnivorous monster in virtually every scene. (Perhaps that's why the producers ended up calling the flick Carny instead of Jersey Devil Mania or Hungry Gargoyle Attacks!) The plot, the setting, the side characters, and even (most of) the kills are basic and predictable, but when Philips, Peterson, or that rotten CGI gargoyle takes center stage, Carny (at the very least) avoids being boring.

At least director Sheldon Wilson (Screamers: The Hunting) keeps everything moving along quickly. Whether it's the frequently silly dialogue, the methodically familiar "monster run amok" concept, or the few small dashes of unexpected wit or carnage ... let's just say it's not the lamest monster movie you could spend 88 minutes with on a late Saturday afternoon.

via www.fearnet.com