Contents The Official Publication of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association
March 2014
highlights from oaba’s 49th annual meeting
ASSOCIATION 4 FROM THE OABA CHAIR
Hall of Fame and Pioneer Awards
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5 update from the OABA’s DC LOBBYIST
OABA Welcomes 2014 Chairman Chris Lopez
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6 ASSOCIATION BUZZ
Highlights from OABA’s 49th Annual Meeting (pictorial)
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8 ON THE EARIE
20 SERVICES, BENEFITS & PROGRAMS
Having a Common Goal
Contribution Fund Drawing Winners
22 photo gallery
The Washington Report
The OABA catches members in action.
30 CIRCUS MEMBERS
Fanfare Fit for a King!
Rodney Huey follows circuses around the country.
Tom Powell reports on the industry’s shows, fairs, colorful show folks and amusing events.
32 CAPITOL UPDATE Joan Galvin, Circus Unit Consultant
11 as the wheel turns Who, what and where are people making news? Here’s the scoop.
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All advertisements appearing in this ShowTime publication are paid by the advertiser and the OABA reserves the right to refuse any advertising. The ads are provided on an “as is” basis and do not necessarily carry the endorsement of the OABA. In addition, the OABA does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse the information, products, or services of any corporation, organization, or person contributing to this publication.
ShowTime
OABA OFFICERS
OABA trustees
editor Dee Dee Alford 407.681.9444 H deedeea@oaba.org
CHAIR Chris Lopez 1ST VICE CHAIR Michael Wood 2ND VICE CHAIR Thomas J. Gaylin, III 3RD VICE CHAIR E. J. Dean trustee 2013 Mike Featherston TRUSTEE 2012 Jeanne McDonagh TRUSTEE 2011 Bill Johnson Treasurer Larry Yaffe President Bob Johnson
Graphic Designer JenBurge 817.602.7254 H avicversi@att.net
OABA directors
publisher|managing editor Robert Johnson 407.681.9444 H bobj@oaba.org
advertising sales Kim Weeks 612.501.4600 H kimw@oaba.org association office Outdoor Amusement Business Assn., Inc. 1035 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 1045A Winter Park, FL 32792 407.681.9444 H fax 407.681.9445 © Outdoor Amusement Business Assn. 2014
Michael Brajevich Joe Burum Tony Cassata Brad Dallman Andy Deggeller Michael Doolan Bob Hauser Blake Huston
Stacey Jamieson Mitchell Kaliff Melissa Kibby Michael Lauther Ron Morris Ben Pickett Debbie Powers Rick Reithoffer
Lorelei Schoendienst Joseph Skerbeck Mary Chris Smith Greg Stewart Jay Strates Holly Swartz Amber Swedgan Rob Vivona
Dominic Vivona, Jr.-2010 Wayne McCary-2009 Andy Schoendienst-2008 John Hanschen-2007 Guy Leavitt-2006 Ron Burback-2005 Don Deggeller-2004 James E. Strates-2003 * Jackie Swika-2002 Danny Huston-2001 Jeff Blomsness-2000 Sam Johnston-1999 Buddy Merten-1998 * Richard Janas-1997 Jean Clair-1996 James Murphy-1995 Dominic Vivona-1994 * Bill Dillard, Sr.-1993 Tom Atkins-1992 * Red Wood-1991 Billy Burr-1990 * Deceased
Bob Coleman, Sr.-1989 * Milt F. Kaufman-1988 * Andy Andersen-1987 * John Vivona-1986 * Mike Farino-1985 James H. Drew, III-1984 Gerald L. Murphy-1983 * John A. Campi-1982 * Buster L. Brown-1981 * Hub Luehrs-1980 * Lloyd J. Hilligoss-1979 * Hal F. Eifort-1978 * Alfred H. Kunz-1977 * P.E. Reithoffer, Jr.-1976 * Bernard P. Thomas-1975 E. James Strates-1974 * Rod Link-1973 * C.J. Sedlmayr-1972 * John Portemont-1971 * William T. Collins-1966-70 * W.G. Wade-1965
ASSOCIATION H message from the OABA Chair
Having a Common Goal Chris Lopez
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would like to thank Trustee Mike Featherston for his fundraising efforts, or simply talking to your fair executives leadership in 2013 as our trade association’s chairman. and board members to raise awareness about our issues. Many He and the OABA staff — Bob, Al, Dee Dee and Brenda — county and state fair personnel are appointed by a government continue to work on endless issues facing the mobile amuseentity and may be the key to an influential politician. It’s as ment industry. easy as just making them aware and having that conversation. A huge thank you to all of the sponsors that made our Another goal is to improve the OABA’s Quality Assessment 49th Annual Meeting and my Chair’s Audit program, raising the genReception a huge success (see our eral industry standards that will sponsors on page 18). Without all of our benefit all of us who work in this Without all of our manufacturers, suppliers and others industry. As you know, high audit who support the OABA with advertising grades in this program lead to manufacturers, suppliers and and sponsorships, we would be hard being recognized in the OABA’s others who support the OABA pressed to accomplish what we do! Circle of Excellence. with advertising and sponsorships, Last but certainly not least, the This OABA program and model OABA’s officers and directors continue was instituted and launched in we would be hard pressed to to serve you, our member, as they work 2004. It is a great model conceived accomplish what we do! on committees and projects that supby Trustees Jeff Blomsness and port our strategic plans for the future. Guy Leavitt and developed by our I look forward to working with this great group of leaders in board with assistance from Mike Heffron, retired Minnesota 2014. State Fair GM. Over the years the audit guidelines and qualIn my brief comments, after the fanfare of trumpets as I ity standards have been raised; however, over these years our entered the room on a King’s Chair — thanks to Chris Atkins industry has changed. There will be added criteria but the and Brad Dallman — I spoke about having a common goal, program will not lose sight of its purpose... that is to be the which is to put safety first in all we do and to have all engage Foundation for the Future! I, like you, want to see the mobile in advocacy as an industry with a big voice on both the state amusement industry thrive and provide jobs for the next and national level. Whether lobbying for ride regulations at a generation. state level or lobbying for H-2B foreign labor at the national In closing, congratulations to our recent Hall of Fame inlevel, the strength in the shear size of the industry, including ductees — the late Earl “Butch” Butler and Guy Leavitt — and agricultural fairs, is huge. to our Pioneer Award recipient, Bob Childress... all great men The OABA will continue to work with lawmakers in supin this industry. I look forwarded to meeting many of you this port of these challenges with trips to Washington, DC, writing year at your fair or festival and really look forward to being letters to state senators and Members of Congress, attending your 2014 OABA chairman! H
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Update From The OABA’s DC Lobbyist
be convinced to weigh-in with Members of Congress on the value the carnival industry brings to their community. Industry suppliers and customers need to be supportive as well through a number of potential avenues as our effort rolls out in the coming weeks and months. Perhaps the most significant accomplishment our The Washington Report grassroots campaign can garner is the vocal support of by John Meredith the Secretaries of Agriculture from around the nation. This group yields tremendous power in many parts of the coun2014 is off to a most intry and their support can easily turn a congressional vote teresting start when it comes from “nay” to “yay.” to immigration. Reeling Please help jump-start the industry’s grassroots from a series of legislative failures and litigation decisions program by letting our lobbyists or your organization’s against H-2B program stakeholders, the industry has once leadership know of any personal relationship you might again taken charge of its legislative destiny. While not have with any Member of Congress, abandoning industry participation Secretary of Agriculture, state lawin the larger H-2B national coalition maker or journalist. This informaeffort, it has become apparent that It has become tion will be vital to our cause as we our best chance for achieving the apparent that our best deploy this knowledge based on the itinerant concerns exclusive to our chance for achieving the tone and direction of the correspondindustry can only be accomplished ing congressional interactions. through independent lobbying. itinerant concerns exclusive Augmenting the increased grassThis approach is not unique. To to our industry can only roots presence in our advocacy effort date, three industries have manbe accomplished through will be a massive congressional aged to disproportionately impact educational campaign. Over the next program lawmaking — minor league independent lobbying. several months, the industry will sports, ski and seafood. All share increase its presence on Capitol Hill one commonality; they secured in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Your their gains through independent lobbying efforts and not as Washington lobbyist will provide a daily presence and enpart of any national coalition. sure a rapid response to any and all threats to our legislaThe key to each industry’s effort was a solid grassroots tive priorities. component. This is the lynchpin of any successful advocacy Aggressive grassroots participation in coordination with effort and each successful program stakeholder effort has relentless lobbying of Congress will transform the issue been predicated on it. Our effort will be no different. from one benefiting faceless corporations to one synonyWe must rally the support of all other industry based mous with small and family owned businesses, benefiting organizations — especially the IAFE. We must also secure local constituents. Once this is accomplished, securing our the vocal support of the nation’s agricultural fairs and legislative priorities will be exponentially enhanced. H state Secretaries of Agriculture. Charitable partners must
CALENDAR March 13-15 Midwest Fair Managers Assoc. Annual Meeting Marriott Hotel Columbia, SC
April 7-9 OABA Spring Board Meeting
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass & Resort Phoenix, AZ
April 22-25 46th Annual IAFE Management Conference Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Tucson, AZ
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ASSOCIATION H association buzz
Fanfare Fit for a King! Bob Johnson, OABA President
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ith fanfare fit for a king, the OABA ushered board as our new in our 2014 Chairman, Chris Lopez, a Sr. Vice third vice chair. And to President with Ray Cammack Shows, at the new our new treasurer, Larry Yaffe, a princiSheraton Tampa East Hotel on February 7. This 49th Annual pal at Firestone Financial, who will keep a close eye on our Meeting, run by our 2013 Chairman, Mike Featherston, with financial affairs. GoldStar Amusements had some 400 members attending and Also congratulations to our new OABA directors joining was followed by the Chairman’s Reception. It was an entrance the board, who were elected by the membership at the annual Chris will never forget! Welcome, Chairman Lopez! meeting — Holly Swartz with Hitch-Hiker Manufacturing, Also in Tampa earlier that week, at the International Tony Cassata with Bob’s Space Racers, and Rick Reithoffer, Independent Showmen’s Museum, the OABA further solidiowner of Reithoffer Shows. In addition, the board selected alfied an alliance with the museum ternate directors Charlene Leavitt board, thanks to board members and Doug Burtch, who will attend Tom Gaylin, Michael Lauther, and participate in all board activiThis 49th Annual Meeting, Michael Wood, Joe Skerbeck, Steve ties this year as they are groomed run by our 2013 Chairman, Swika and Jeanne McDonagh for future board seats. Mike Featherston, with GoldStar working with their board memTrustee Dominic Vivona acbers, headed by President Ivan Amusements had some 400 members cepted his son’s recognition from Arnold, to house the OABA’s hisChairman Featherston for his many attending and was followed by the tory, Hall of Fame inductees, and years of service to the OABA as Chairman’s Reception. Pioneer Award recipients. This a director, treasurer and trustee. included our second payment in Dominic, Jr. could not be at this a five-year commitment of $25,000, and plans to open this event and officially exits as an officer of the OABA. OABA exhibit in the museum in February 2015, marking the And finally, our 49th Annual Meeting was highlighted by OABA’s 50th anniversary. emcee and Trustee John Hanschen’s introductions of the 2014 A big thank you and my sincere appreciation to our 2013 OABA Hall of Fame and Pioneer Award inductees — the Chairman Mike Featherston for his continued leadership and late Earl “Butch” Butler, Guy Leavitt and Bob Childress (see passion for the mobile amusement industry. Now a trustee, our feature article on page 12 of this issue of ShowTime). What Mike will continue to serve as an officer on our executive an honor for these gentlemen and the highlight of the 49th committee for the next three years. Congratulations to former Annual Meeting. H director E. J. Dean with Fiesta Shows for being elected by the
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ASSOCIATION H on the earie
On The Earie Tom Powell, OABA News Ambassador
O
ne of the definitions of a pioneer in the World Book Dictionary is a person who goes first, or does something first, and so prepares a way for others. Another definition in the same Thorndike-Barnhart publication refers to a person who settles in a part of the country that has not been occupied before except for primitive tribes. The first definitely applies to Bob Childress — this year’s recipient of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association’s Pioneer Award. I know of no other person who started off as a balloon peddler and went on to become a leading ride manufacturer, as well as owning a carnival and circus. The fact that he and his wife Margaret reside in Easley, SC may be stretching it a bit, for the second part of the definition. Bob is one of the most affable guys you’ll ever meet. He and long-time buddy Billy Clark annually host a fish fry during the trade show of the IISA in Gibsonton, FL. It always draws a big crowd. “I was really surprised and pleased when I heard about receiving this award when Tommy Gaylin (of Rosedale Attractions
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and OABA second vice chair) called to give me the good news. I was shocked and thrilled. I know there are so many other deserving people and I’m honored.” When accepting the award, Childress began by asking everybody to bear with him as he was not a public speaker. Gaylin told me he thought the acceptance speech was the greatest he had ever heard, including those from athletes inducted into Halls of Fame. “It was phenomenal. He had us laughing and crying for 18 minutes, while receiving three standing ovations. We could not have inducted a better person.” Easley is a town of about 19,000 people in Pickens County, about two miles east of the Upper South Carolina State Fair in Greenville. Childress’s dad was a farmer and school teacher, and he also he traveled across the state to sell threshing machines. “I think that’s where my itinerant nature probably came from. Dad used to take me to Clemson football games, and when I was about 12, I went to work for the guy who had the novelties there. We went to the Gator Bowl (in Jacksonville, FL) and the Orange Bowl (in Miami). His name was John Stockard and I’ll never forget his mailing address. I remember that because I kept asking him where he was buying his stuff and saw all those boxes with the label on them. “I went to the fair in Anderson, SC and into the sideshow. Next to the fat guy was a Billboard and the fat guy told me that if you got a Billboard you could get anything you would want to buy. I asked where he got his copy and he told me it was from the person who was selling tickets to ride the Merry-Go-Round. He sold me one for 35 cents. When I looked at the price on the Billboard it was 25 cents, so that was my first lesson in hiking the price.” Childress said he started buying on his own and by the time he was 16, he was working with several local high schools, along with Clemson and Furman University. The legendary Frank Howard was then the football coach at Clemson and Childress had a field day selling buttons with his picture on them. He started selling balloons and binoculars at the Darlington, SC Speedway. “I had to sneak the stuff in,” he said. Childress started selling cotton candy and popcorn and wound up adding a Merry-Go-Round and some “kiddie, junkieold rides, along with a Smith & Smith Chair Ride. I kept accumulating more pieces and got a fair route in 1975 or 1976. Back then the rides weren’t as pretty as they are now. I wanted one that was easy to move and looked nice, so I designed one, took it to the trade show in Gibtown and sold a couple. The Gibsonton show has always been really good for me. “I went back home and made more and sold 45 Musical Chairs that are still popular. I designed a portable slide that could move on a semi-trailer and sold a lot of them. Then I
Looking ahead to a new season are Mary Johnson, left, A Fantasy Amusement Co., and Connie Featherston, GoldStar Amusements. Connie’s husband, Mike, was the 2013 OABA chairman, and Mary’s husband, Bill, held that position in 2011.
Christine Powell is flanked by John Hanschen, Mighty Thomas Shows, who was OABA chair in 2007, and Mary Christine Smith, Allied Specialty Insurance, currently an OABA director.
Errol McKoy, right, president and CEO of the State Fair of Texas, Dallas, discussing his upcoming retirement plans with OABA President Bob Johnson.
Bryan and Tracy Creason have been with Ray Cammack Shows for 20 years. He is the show’s electrician and they own a Disco ride.
Dave Potopas, right, Potopas Concessions, discusses what might be the hot items for prizes in 2014 with Ira Feuer, Classic Toy, Cleveland.
From left, are Sam Johnston, who owned parks and carnivals on the west coast; Andy Schoendienst, Luehrs’ Ideal Rides, and Mick Brajevich, Butler Amusements. Johnston was OABA chair in 1999, Schoendienst in 2008, and Brajevich is a director.
From left, are Denny Crutchfield, Crutchie’s Concessions; Fred Pittroff, Giant Slide, and Joe Burum, executive director of the Showmen’s League of America and an OABA director.
With Reithoffer Shows, from left, are Pat Reithoffer, John Stoorza, Rick Reithoffer, Vicki Cline and Rick Reithoffer, Jr.
Getting together at the park show in Orlando are Angelo Spata, left, TSA Amusements, Brooklyn, and Tommy Murray, Tommy’s Midway, Bronx, NY.
Big New York Yankee baseball fans are Tony Cassata, left, Bob’s Space Racers, and an OABA director, and Joe Kennedy, Allied Amusements, who was president of the National Showmen’s Association in 2004.
came up with Castlemania — a walkthrough playland. If I decided to build a ride and sold one, I’d just keep it since I had my own carnival. Most all of the rides I made are still out there, still running and looking good.” Childress said he sold his show to Jon and Sheila Stine, both of whom had been with Rod Link Shows, and now deceased. “Jon wanted a Gondola Wheel that could move on one trailer. All the industry had then were made by Chance Rides or Clyde Mulligan and required three or four trailers to move. What I came up with became the Expo Wheel and I sold 32 of them.” Childress still had the love of being on the road in him and bought the Hendricks Brothers Circus in 1994 while keeping some of his rides. He later sold that and built the Lewis and Clark Circus, so named because he liked the ring of it. “I thought it was a good
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ASSOCIATION H on the earie
On The Earie continued name for a circus. I sold that last spring to Vander and Lena Reese, but I kept the camels, big and little horse, and booked it with that show.” He recalled selling big balloons that were called Slim Jims. “We’d sell them for 15 cents, or two for a quarter. If they deflated and people were unhappy, we’d say to take them home and soak them in water.” Childress married Margaret in 1957 and they have two daughters — Meg West and Jan Tyner — two granddaughters and a grandson. “The business has been very good to me. All my rides were geared for traveling shows, not parks. I’ve learned from all the other showpeople I’ve met at the various conventions. I even ran three fairs at one time, and worked with Leslie Timms, one of your old friends from your days at Amusement Business, who was a building
manager in Greenville, SC. I sold popcorn and novelties for him.” Childress also owned and operated fairs in Monroe and Burlington NC and Livonia, GA. “The main thing for me was meeting so many good people. Life has been really great and this award is the icing on the cake,” he said humbly. I’m proud to say Christine and I have been good friends with Bob and Margaret since we first met. The guy was even the ringmaster and performed a lot of other duties on his own circus. I remember him hanging around in Las Vegas and the other conventions with the late Tom Johnson, who once owned Penn Valley Shows. What I didn’t know is Johnson booked his mini-bumper cars with Childress before he had his own show. “His ride was out-grossing everything on the midway, so after two or three weeks I
handed him a Billboard and suggested he find another place. He was a great friend.” Please send news to tomp@oaba.org, or call 615.319.1258.
Have all great days, Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and God Bless! H
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ASSOCIATION H as the wheel turns
Making News...
L.A.S.L.A. Announces the Judy Hayes Memorial Scholarship Upon the 2013 passing of Judy Hayes, Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Showmen’s League of America and cofounder of Hayes Specialties, Saginaw, Michigan, a memorial scholarship has been established in her name. This scholarship is available to a junior or senior whose family is involved in the outdoor amusement business. The applicant must possess the following: H GPA of C or above H Involvement in school and community activities a must H The applicant must apply to an accredited technical school or college/university A completed application and essay must be submitted no later than June 30, 2014. Information and/or an application may be obtained by emailing one of the following: Sue Hamilton, L.A.S.L.A. President : Suzee194@sbcglobal.net Jean Brake, L.A.S.L.A. Finance Officer: Jeanbrake@comcast.net Mary Ann Slaggert, L.A.S.L.A. Executive Director: madgs@live.com
Jimmy Floyd Memorial Award Founded over seventy years ago, this year’s winner of the Jimmy Floyd Memorial Award began business with the purchase of the Ferris Wheel from the 1939 World’s Fair. The five brothers who started the business brought integrity and reliability to each of their engagements. That tradition continues today with the three remaining brothers and the next generation of family leadership. The carnival’s route stretches from Miami to New York, Ohio to Tennessee and the Carolinas to the Dominican Republic and Peru. The company proudly supports industry organizations such as the OABA, IAFE, International Independent Showmen Association, and the many state associations where they do business. A 2007 marriage brought a closer tie to Tennessee fairs. Jane Floyd Baxter’s marriage to Phil Vivona merged two carnival families. Jane is Jimmy Floyd’s aunt. The history of Floyd and Baxter and Cumberland Valley Shows are legendary in the Tennessee fair industry. The Tennessee Association of Fairs Jimmy Floyd Memorial Award was presented to Amusements of America, Phil and Jane Floyd Baxter Vivona, by 2013 TAF President Stephen Potter.
submission H as the wheel turns Announcements or suggestions can be emailed to oaba@oaba.org
Changes Coming For IAFE: Bylaws Revision and Calico Named COO Newly elected IAFE Board Chair Debbie Dreyfus-Schronk has asked the Executive Committee led by past IAFE Chair Jim Sinclair to conduct a comprehensive review of the IAFE By-laws. That review is prompted in part by the burgeoning participation in the IAFE of fairs that operate on small budgets whose representatives made up over half of this year’s convention delegates, as well as the expanding global footprint of the IAFE, that resulted in presentations about fairs and shows in Scotland, England, Australia, and South Korea at this year’s convention. In addition to his lawyering work on the by-laws review, CEO Jim Tucker’s focus this year will shift to leveraging the relationships the IAFE has nurtured with our stakeholders in agriculture and allied associations to bring even higher quality and more relevant information and education to you. He will also spend more time on the fundraising efforts of the IAFE Education Foundation, which will expand beyond the very successful Wine and Dine event at our convention. Marla Calico, CFE, assumed the title of COO of the Association on January 1 and oversees the day-to-day operations. In her expanded role she will be in charge of sales, meetings, information technology, and digital and traditional publications. Marla will look at things with fresh eyes and examine untapped potential of the staff. Steve Siever will be the Director of Sales, Kate Turner the Director of Meetings, Rachel Mundhenke the Director of Information Technology, Rebekah Lee the Director of Communications, and Max Willis will continue in his role as CFO. Cameron Hance, who has been with theIAFE as an intern from Missouri State University from which he graduated with a degree in agriculture in December, will join the permanent staff. Cameron’s focus will be on boosting our membership rolls — an effort which will bring him knocking on your door in 2014. Your staff in Springfield is ready and eager to assist all fair and associate members. Contact any of us if we can help you and if you have ideas on how we can better serve you. H INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FAIRS AND EXPOSITIONS 3043 E. Cairo, Springfield, MO 65802 800-516-0313 toll free • 417-862-5771 417-862-0156 fax • www.fairsandexpos.com march 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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H FEATURES
OABA Inducts Earl “Butch” Butler and Guy Leavitt into its 2014 Hall of Fame and Honors Industry Pioneer Bob Childress
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arl “Butch” Butler, carnival owner of Butler Amusements, who passed away in 2011, was honored with his induction into the Hall of Fame, with his family present to receive this OABA recognition. He was born September 27, 1942 in Austin, Minnesota to George and Evelyn Butler. Earl graduated Austin High School, where he played on the varsity basketball team. Butler later attended Austin Community College majoring in Business Administration and continuing his basketball career. Butch married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou, and in 1969 Earl moved with his family from Minnesota to San Jose, California. In 2006 he moved from San Jose to Campbell, California. Sports, with basketball being his favorite, taught him the meaning of teamwork and a winning competitive attitude. Only second to his devotion to his family was his love for charity work. Earl was responsible for thousands of fundraising carnivals, was the leader in funding numerous public and private academic scholarship programs, and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local 4-H organizations and many other charitable endeavors. “Butch,” as his friends called him, built and became one of the largest carnivals on the west coast. He served as president and CEO of his family-owned and operated business, which provides the carnival for 34 fairs and over 80 other events and festivals operating over 150 rides. Through his ambition and uncanny ability to create a tight knit culture and family atmosphere, he created a legacy that will carry on for generations. He was honored to be inducted into the Western Fairs Hall of Fame at the association’s 2005 convention. He was one of the strongest voices in promoting improved carnival ride safety and game legislation in California. He served in many leadership capacities, including president of the Showfolks of America, Showmen’s
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League of America, and Pacific Coast Showmen’s League, service member director of the Western Fairs Association, member of the board of directors for Preferred Amusement Risk and chairman of its Loss Prevention Committee. Present at the OABA ceremony and accepting this recognition for their father were his daughters, Kris Brajevich and Jill Moyer, along with his son, Sean Butler-Murphy. OABA Director and Butler Amusements President/CEO Mick Brajevich and other company staff and friends were on hand to celebrate this posthumous honor for Butch.
board member and later chairman from the fair industry, Wayne McCary, who says, “Guy has no fear in addressing the thorny issues of the industry, and demands action.” Guy was the first of Rita and Harley Leavitt’s three children. The family moved to Phoenix when Guy was seven
and he spent his childhood there, attending Phoenix College. Guy obtained his pilot’s license just after high school and flew his dad’s plane transporting employees and parts for the family carnival, named H.A. Leavitt Attractions. Guy worked for his parents until they sold their show in 1974. Looking for a new carnival home, Guy lined up three interviews. Ray Cammack was the first. He became the Cammack Shows’ ride supervisor and a partner in the kiddie-land rides. Two years later, Guy married Ray and Veryl’s youngest daughter, Charlene. His father-in-law was inducted in the OABA’s Hall of Fame in 2007. Ray’s route included the Canadian B circuit until 1980, when he bought the Frazier Show and headed to Arizona and New Mexico. After Ray’s untimely death in 1983, Guy and Charlene purchased RCS. Times were changing and contracts were tough so Guy and Charlene looked west. At a meeting in Las Vegas in 1984, Ralph Hinds of the Los Angeles County Fair joined with Guy and Charlene in a new carnival vision. The Grand Wheel, Chance Carousel, and Super Raupe were purchased in time for this fair. Red and yellow canvas, attractive landscape, theme, and seating for guests called RCS “Midway Beauty”, was debuted. The LA County fair, and their vision, was a huge success.
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uy Leavitt, OABA Trustee and co-owner of Ray Cammack Shows, along with his wife, Charlene, is a second generation showman of the Cammack/Leavitt carnival family. He is a 12-year OABA board member and became its chairman in 2006. Guy was the spiritual leader of the “Foundation for the Future” and “Circle of Excellence” initiative — both signature programs of the OABA — and a sculptor of the OABA’s Contribution Fund program which finances critical OABA advocacy activities. His leadership on the board continues to attract new leaders and has resulted in the election of diverse and outstanding officers and directors, including the first march 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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After Guy’s father died in a car accident in 1985, Guy and Charlene, and Rita, agreed to make the Great Western Carnival part of RCS in 1987. The RCS of today is the remarkable amalgamation of separate shows owned by Guy and Charlene’s parents. More fairs and events believed in their business philosophy, and the RCS route included more stops in Arizona and California. Veryl was very active and coached Guy and Charlene until she passed in 1991. Rita continued to work on the family carnival in the office until her death in 2002. RCS is one the country’s largest carnival operations, centered by family, including five of Guy and Charlene’s children and four son-in-laws. Other key managers include Guy’s brother Mark, and Charlene’s sisters Delia and Linda, and her husband, Bill. Guy and Charlene have 18 grandchildren. Guy Leavitt has served as the president of the Showmen’s LeagueSt. Louis, the Arizona Showmen’s Association, and a board member of the IAFE He and Charlene earned the Barham Award from Western Fairs, and were inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Los Angeles County and Pima County Fairs. Guy and RCS have received awards for their innovations and safety record from AREA and AIMS, and RCS management continue to teach and help others at the AIMS Safety Seminar.
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ABA’s 2014 Industry Pioneer Award was given to Bob Childress, a gentleman whose 60-year career in the outdoor amusement and entertainment industry as an owner of Childress Shows, Hendricks Bros. Circus, Lewis & Clark Circus and Childress Manufacturing, epitomizes the OABA’s Pioneer Award recognition. Bob began his career as a novelty huckster at age 12 and continued selling his wares while attending and graduating from Clemson University. Shortly after his stint in the Navy, Bob met his wife, Margaret, and they were married in 1957. He went from novelties to amusement rides and in 1962 he started Childress Shows. For some 35 years he had two units, and some 40 rides on tour through the southeast. In 1975 he started Childress Manufacturing, designing, building and
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selling rides such as the Giant Slide, Castlemania and a kiddie coaster. Bob sold his Childress Shows carnival company in 1996, but still had the itch to build amusement rides and built 37 one-trailer Expo Wheels, then sold that manufacturing company in 2007. Along the way he framed two circuses — Hendricks Bros. Circus with animal acts that included an elephant, which he sold in 2006; and then framed another one-tent show called Lewis & Clark Circus, which traveled from Texas to Pennsylvania. During this time, Bob acquired, trained and performed in his own tiger act and then sold Lewis & Clark in 2013. Bob Childress is an industry icon who is a friend to all showmen in the mobile amusement and entertainment industry. H
THE
EXPERTS
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march 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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H FEATURES
OABA Welcomes 2014 Chairman Chris Lopez, Ray Cammack Shows
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hris Lopez grew up in his family business which was cotton farming, and has two older siblings — a brother Pete and a sister Margaret. He also has a younger sister, Jennifer who, with her husband, Doyle Gill, owns Gill’s Party Land Amusements, and live and work in Australia. After graduating from Casa Grande Union High School in 1990, Chris headed west to meet up with Ray Cammack Shows and was hired by an independent game concessionaire that was booked with RCS. The next few seasons from 1991 to 1993, he worked for Kim Leavitt in her game concessions, learning more about the business. He was a great games manager and caught the eye of industry icon Claire Morton, show owner in Alaska with Golden Wheel Amusements, and went to work as her concessions manager from 1994 to 2000. During this time, Chris attended the University of Alaska to improve his marketing and business skills. While working with Golden Wheel Amusements, he began to improve his skills in guest services and risk management/safety disciplines. With Golden Wheel Amusements’ shorter work seasons, Chris was able to start the year with RCS and close the year with RCS at events such as the Los Angeles County Fair and the Arizona State Fair, having the “best of both worlds” with the two shows. In March of 2000, he returned to RCS full time as a member of their Safety Department and in game partnership with Guy and Charlene Leavitt. Then in 2004, he was promoted to Director of Safety for RCS; and in 2011 became a Vice President with RCS — a title he shares with his brothers-in-law, Chris Leavitt and Ben Pickett.
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In 2002 he married Jody Leavitt, and they have five children — Shelby, Riley, Kade, Dylan and Tanner — with their home base in Phoenix, Arizona. All of their children work in the family business and are part of RCS’ fourth-generation family members.
Chris is looking forward to leading this Association and working with some of the best leaders in this industry. H
His accomplishments in our industry include: H First elected to the OABA Board as a H Arizona State Fair Foundation Director in 2007 and was an OABA Show Chairman Representative from 2000 to 2012 H Arizona Fairs Association H OABA Chair of the Excellence and Board member Co-Chair of the HR & Foreign Labor H AIMS Ride Operator and Committees Maintenance Certifications H Arizona Showmans’ Association H NAARSO Certified President in 2005 H ASTM F 24 Committee member H Western Fairs Association Carnival H California Portable Ride Operators’ Industry Associate Representative Vice President and serves on their Professional H Member of SLA, IAAPA and IAFE Development Committee
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mwalker@blvdbank.net march 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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H OABA ShowTime Magazine | march 2014
Thank You!
Highlights from
FEATURES H
’s 49th Annual Meeting
march 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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ASSOCIATION H services, benefits & programs
Contribution Fund PROGRAM
• Get Your Contribution Fund Tickets Now • This is deductible as a business expense
Final 2013 OABA Contribution Fund Ray Cammack Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70,130 Powers Great American Midways . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23,190 Deggeller Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,860 Reithoffer Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,300 Frazier Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,450 NAME/Astro Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,200 Luehrs’ Ideal Rides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,050 Skerbeck Bros. Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,090 NAME/Amusement South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,435 NAME/Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,188 S&S Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,855 NAME/All Star Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,845 A Fantasy Amusement Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,800 NAME/Mid America Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,600 Rainbow Valley Rides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,125 Crabtree Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,910 Rosedale Attractions & Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,740 Calkins Midways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,605 GoldStar Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,500 Poor Jack Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,500 Doolan Amusement Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,100 Majestic Midways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Swank’s Steel City Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Bates Bros. Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 TOTAL $174,973
OABA Contribution Fund Program
the oaba’s contribution fund offers three different plans to meet your show’s contribution to the OABA and in turn rewards the show and concessionaires for these donations.
WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE? You will be given the opportunity to receive cash prizes for your contributions to this program and help the OABA protect the carnival industry.
WHAT IS IT? Fund-raising for the OABA has always been based on the generosity of its members and depends on members to pay their fair share, the theory being that the organization belongs to the members who raise relevant issues and in the belief that they will also underwrite activities. Support and participation of enough members will provide the revenue necessary to continue and improve on membership services.
HOW IS IT HANDLED? This OABA program advises member carnivals to collect funds from all office-owned and independent concessions and rides, side shows and arcades. When the show owner collects the money, they need to give or complete a receipt. The show or concessionaires then send the receipts to the OABA office, which will be eligible for monthly and annual incentive prizes. Please note that it is important to include your phone number on your receipt, as we want to be able to contact you when you win!
WHAT IS THE MONEY USED FOR? The funds collected for this program are earmarked for legal, legislative and lobbying issues. Also, funds are used to continually upgrade member services. CAN’T I JUST CONTRIBUTE? Sure, but then you lose out on the opportunity to participate in winning cash incentives.
SEND IT ALL IN! Funds are solicited and contributed in the name of the OABA. Once money is collected, please send it monthly to the OABA office in form of a check or money order. You may check ShowTime magazine where the contributions and monthly winners in each plan will be published monthly. H
Bronze Plan
Contribution from Concessions & Rides $5.00 per event Monthly drawings April-October Final drawing in February First Prize $300 First Prize $3,000 Second Prize $200 Second Prize $2,000 Third Prize $100 Third Prize $1,000
Silver Plan
Contribution from Concessions & Rides $10.00 per week Monthly drawings April-October Final drawing in February First Prize $400 First Prize $4,000 Second Prize $300 Second Prize $2,000 Third Prize $200 Third Prize $1,000
Wing Industries Gull Wing Working with the Carnival Industry since 1989 Contact us at:
Bronze and Silver Plans: If the carnival contributions exceed $5,000, 2014 OABA dues are waived for carnival.
www.gull-wing.com
Gold Plan Pack-Man 175 kw or 250 kw Quiet Power Tractor or Trailer Mounted
GFlex 400 Amp
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309 N.E. 1st Street P.O. Box 128 Alta, IA 51002 Toll Free: 800-838-1482 Fax: 712-200-1936
H OABA ShowTime Magazine | march 2014
Contribution from Concessions & Rides $5.00 per day Monthly drawings April-October Final drawing in February First Prize $500 First Prize $5,000 Second Prize $400 Second Prize $2,000 Third Prize $300 Third Prize $1,000 Gold Plan: If the carnival contributions exceed $10,000, 2014 OABA dues are waived for carnival.
Concessionaires Win Big Money
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t the OABA’s Annual Meeting, the participating carnivals were thanked for their contributions to the OABA Contribution Fund. This past year $174,973 was raised. The funds are used for legislative, legal and lobbying efforts for the carnival industry. In addition to the $2,700 paid out each month in drawings held April through October, for a total of $18,900 in cash awards, the big drawings were held at the Chairman’s Reception in Tampa where cash prizes totaling $21,000 were given to those lucky carnivals and concessionaires who have been participating in this program. The winners in the drawings from the three programs at the Chairman’s Reception were:
Bronze Program FIRST PRIZE $3,000 Dale Negus, Deggeller Attractions SECOND PRIZE $2,000 Andy & Jamie Deggeller, Deggeller Attractions THIRD PRIZE $1,000 Tasha Potopas, NAME
Silver Program
Gold Program
FIRST PRIZE $4,000 Steve Ianni, Powers Great American Midways
FIRST PRIZE $5,000 JoAnne Leavitt, Ray Cammack Shows
SECOND PRIZE $2,000 Jeff Lapin, A Fantasy Amusement Co.
SECOND PRIZE $2,000 Guy & Charlene Leavitt, Ray Cammack Shows
THIRD PRIZE $1,000 Stephanie Corl, Powers Great American Midways
THIRD PRIZE $1,000 Stephanie VanderVorste Janousek, Ray Cammack Shows
Insurance programs for members of
HEALTH INSURANCE – AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA) 2014 marks a new era for individual and group health insurance. Changes in plan benefits due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have caused a lot of confusion. We are a resource for OABA association members to assist you and provide guidance about new health insurance coverage options including the Federal Marketplace/Exchange plans.
Provided by
For a “no-cost, no-obligation health insurance quote”, E-mail us at quotes@mmicinsurance.com. We can also inform you if you qualify for a subsidy. To obtain information of any of our health or other insurance products, call us Toll-Free at 1-800-349-1039, 8:00–4:30 C.S.T. Or E-Mail us at mmic@mmicinsurance.com march 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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ASSOCIATION H photo gallery
Photo Gallery Showperson of the Year Award
Brooks Evans with Bob Johnson
OABA member Brooks Evans visited the OABA office recently to present Bob Johnson with an RB World’s Greatest Shows giraffe wagon that he hand carved.
Matthew Wood Eagle Scout
Mary Chris Smith (shown here with her sons Danny and Conner along with Claire Morton) received the Northwest Showmen’s Club 2013 Showperson of the Year Award recently.
NAARSO Recipients
The OABA awarded NAARSO scholarships to Thomas Lauther, left, and Joey Weaver. Matthew Wood, son of OABA First Vice Chair Michael Wood, recently received the prestigious Eagle Scout Award.
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NYSAAF Convention
From left, Ricky Reithoffer, son of Rick Reithoffer, center, and Bobby Pugh, Reithoffer Shows.
OABA Director Debbie Powers seen with her good friend and former OABA Director Bob Commerford, Commerford & Sons.
R. Harry Booth of the Washington County Fair in Greenwich is the NYSAAF 2014 president. Other officers are First Vice President Robert Simpson of the Jefferson County Fair; Second Vice President Andy Imperati of the Dutchess County Fair; Third Vice President Gary Newkirk of the Ulster County Fair; Treasurer Joan Rowland of the Saratoga County Fair and Executive Secretary Norma Hamilton of the Schaghticoke Fair.
Louisiana Association of Fairs & Festivals Convention
LAFF carnival associates presented a workshop on all-subjects-midway to the annual convention delegates in Baton Rouge. From left are Gus Mitchell, Mitchell Amusements; Andrew and John Hanschen, Thomas Carnival; Tony Lowery, Lowery Amusements; Richard Hanson, GoldStar Amusements; Pat Crabtree, Crabtree Amusements; Jimbo Miller, Cajun Rides and his son.
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ASSOCIATION H photo gallery
Photo Gallery continued AIMS Safety Seminar, Orlando, FL Drew Budimir, Butler Amusements, AIMS/ OABA scholarship recipient, center, seen with, from left, Paul Mayer, RCS; Michael Wood, Wood Entertainment Co., and Circle of Excellence Quality Assessment Auditors Jeff Smith and Jerry Aldrich.
OABA 1st Vice Chair Michael Wood, Trustee John Hanschen and President Bob Johnson at the AIMS Safety Seminar.
Michael Wood, Brian Morrissey and Dustin Skerbeck.
George Kedrowicz, Jeff Vertz and John Burrows, Skerbeck Bros. Shows, and David Kedrowicz, A&P Enterprise Shows.
Illinois Association of Fairs Convention Sevin and Susan Headley, center, A&A Attractions, on the trade show floor with Margaret Vaughn and Bob Johnson.
OABA Trustee Bill Johnson; Donnie Massie, Alpine Amusements; NAME’s Astro Amusement subsidiary Ed Dame, Pat Repp, Tom Thebault and family, and OABA IL lobbyist Margaret Vaughn. NAME’s All Star subsidiary team, from left, Gretchen, Kristina Rieder and OABA Trustee and NAME COO Jeff Blomsness.
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C.D.A.C’s owner Donnie Pusey with Margaret Vaughn. Bill Johnson, owner of A Fantasy Amusement Co., and Bob Thorson with Illinois County Fair Queens.
Indiana Association of Fairs Convention From left, Todd Ropp, Elkhart 4-H Fair, visits with OABA Trustee Jeff Blomsness, NAME, and J.D. Linn, Haas & Wilkerson Insurance.
Robin Cooper, association president, center, visits with Andrew Schoendienst, Jr. and his dad Andy Schoendienst, OABA Trustee. H&C Amusement trade show booth with Chuck Cantwell and Thelma Howlett.
Pictured in the Burton Bros. Amusements suite, from left, Larry Vandenburg visiting with the Burton family — Bradd, Nicole, Ben and Jennifer.
Food was the topic of discussion. Front row, Russ Scott, Mitch Lesi, Fare Foods, Ray Bianco, Bianco Foods. Top row, Daniel Scheffer and Tony Carpenter, Fare Foods.
Pictured from left, David and Rhonda Grein, Funtime Carnival, and Marty Brady, Brady’s Amusements.
These folks seen at the associates member meeting were from Wabash Valley Shows, Shortline Amusements, Beers and Jessops, Circus City Amusements, Poor Jack Amusements, Jessup Amusements and Fiesta Rides.
Visiting the Allied Specialty Insurance booth, standing, Dennis Nelson, Classic Attractions Midwest; Dennis Nelson, Jr. and Sherrie Calhoun, Allied Specialty Insurance. march 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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ASSOCIATION H photo gallery
Photo Gallery continued Michigan Association of Fairs Convention
Matt McDonagh, Big Rock Amusements, second from left, is pictured with, from left, Brett Russell, Francis Sloan, Saginaw County Fair, and Bob Halifax, Big Rock Amusements.
The Skerbeck family, from left, OABA Director Joe, OABA Show Rep Niki, Agnes Shaw, manager of EmmetCharlevoix Co. Fair, CJ and Bill Skerbeck. The Skerbeck’s paid the first year’s OABA dues for the EmmetCharlevoix Co. Fair.
T.J. Schmidt Company, back row, Josh, Terry, Kyle Schmidt and Doug Burtch; front row, Hannah, Sandy Schmidt and Ellen Goff.
The Arnold Amusement family, from left; Tom, Ivan, Karen and Karen’s son Alex. Al DeRusha visits with trade show chairman Terry Slaggert, Midwest Exposition Services, Inc.
Danny Huston, NAME, is seen with Karen Klug, 2013 association executive director, left, and Lisa Scramlin, 2014 association executive director.
Veteran showman Mike Curry is a proud new member of the NAME family. Mike will be a unit manager. He is pictured with Blake Huston and his pretty wife Amy.
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The Elliott family, from left, Jim, son Tracy, wife Deb and son Nick.
Midwest Showmen’s Association of Fairs Convention
Mike Featherston, Jr. was the emcee at the country western-themed MSA banquet.
The Waknitz family, Midwest Rides — (back row) Tanner, Jamie, Rochelle, Tee Jay and Sawer; (front row) Jayson, Jamison and Madison. The Cody Rides family, from left, Merritt, wife Jean, son Mike and Mike’s daughter Abby.
Ron Hamm, RAH Models, is pictured with his beautiful “model midway” display. 2013 MSA President Leah O’Neil, O’Neil Concessions, and Ray Hyovalti, 2014 President Anoka County Fair.
Al DeRusha, wife Marlene, John Magel, MCM Shows and Bette Darrell. Al worked with Bette and her parents in games in St. Paul, MN in 1943 and 1944 on the Harriet Island.
Al DeRusha visits with Matt Armstrong. Kathy Carlson has games on Merriam’s Midway; she is pictured with Dale Merriam, 2014 SLA President. march 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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ASSOCIATION H photo gallery
Photo Gallery continued Tennessee Association of Fairs Convention
Charles Panacek, Belle City Amusements, left, is pictured with Randy Cowley, Clayton Wilson and Jimmy Carter at the Tennessee Association of Fairs Convention.
In their booth on the trade show floor are Gail Mitchell and Tony Lowery. James Roy Pope and daughter, Sara Ann Pope. James is President of the SLA St. Louis Chapter. Jane Pope of Pope’s Concessions, says “Free Popcorn!” Thanks, Jane!
Al DeRusha is pictured with Madison Hill, Putnam County 2013 Fairest of the Fair.
A group of veteran showmen, from left, Janet Floyd, son Jason, Ann Floyd and Jane Vivona.
At the JCJ Amusements booth, right, are Vicki Jinright and her niece Nia Jinright.
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Richie George, center, is pictured with James H. Drew, Drew Exposition, and son Jimmy.
Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention Thanks to Chuck and Lynn Waterman, Calkins Midways, for coordinating the carnival night reception which was sponsored by members of the carnival industry. Everyone enjoyed free midway food and beverages.
OABA Sr. VP Al DeRusha visits with Jayme Buttke, Wisconsin Association of Fairs Executive Secretary, and Bob Williams, “Mr. Wisconsin.” The NAME guys at the silent auction were the highest bidders for many items; from left, Pat Repp, Tom Thebault and Danny Menge.
Matt Cook, Carnival Warehouse, right, visits with Mr. Ed’s Magical Midways; from left, Lisa, Chad Duchow and their pretty daughter Mariah.
Mike Featherston conducted the carnival meeting and did a great job despite a power outage at the hotel. Thanks to Fare Foods for sponsoring a continental breakfast.
Seen in the Earl’s Rides suite, from left, Chris and Gail Huston, Marie Neuber, Doug Fink, Jake Fink, and ten-year-old Alayna Fink.
Rick Frenette, CFE WI State Fai, visits with OABA Chairman Mike Featherston.
Jim Tucker, center, IAFE President & CEO, was the keynote speaker at the convention kickoff. He is pictured with association President Ron Van Dyck, left, and Ben Brancel, Secretary of Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture.
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ASSOCIATION H circus members
From The Center Ring Connecting & Protecting the Circus Industry! Rodney Huey, RAH PR Strategies OABA Circus Media Consultant
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pring and circus just seem to go together! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Legends arrived in the NYC area a month early this season, slated to play Uniondale, Newark and East Rutherford in March following a two-week February run in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Built to Amaze opens the month in North Charleston, and then continues to Cincinnati on its way to the Washington DC/Baltimore area to finish out the month. The single-ringed Super Circus Heroes heads south from Salisbury, Maryland this month with a stop in Chattanooga enroute to three Mississippi dates. Universoul closed out the month in Atlanta and stops for a four-day stint in Raleigh before launching its extended NYC-area engagement in the Bronx on March 20 with subsequent stops in Brooklyn, Queens and Newark throughout April and May. Featured in this 20th Anniversary Edition are Jean Claude and his strap act, the ZhuKau Troupe on the Russian Swing, the Soul Circus Performing Elephants, Onionhead the Clown and everyone’s favorite Ringmaster Sidekick Zeke. Big Apple Circus is in Bridgewater, New Jersey through March 16, and then strikes out for its March 25 opening in Boston. Cole Bros. Circus’ 130th Edition (the second longest-running circus in the country) opens March 20 in its hometown of Deland, Florida. Carson and Barnes Circus, featuring Kat, the Pygmy Hippo, hopscotches across Texas this month, as does another Hugo, Oklahomabased circus — Kelly Miller. Southern California-bound Circus Vargas plays out March in Mira Mesa, Temecula and San Bernardino. China’s Peking Acrobats will present a single performance at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota on March 12. Sarasota’s Sailor Circus is offering weekend trapeze lessons while putting the final touches on its 65th Anniversary Show that opens March 26 and runs through April 5. In the Twin Cities area, Circus Juventas is in the thick of its spring training schedule that runs through April 26. In California, The Great Y Circus, co-sponsored by the Redlands (CA) YMCA, is schooling more than 350 kids in circus skills while prepping for its May performance regimen which usually sells out early. New England’s Circus Smirkus recently announced that it is “going Emerald” in an effort to reduce the size of its self-proclaimed “clown shoe-sized carbon footprint.” The American Youth Circus Organization has announced the formation of the American Circus Educators Association organized to “expand our work that supports circus educators.” Nowhere is the circus’ popularity more evident than the increasing demand for great circus talent, and even greater circus performances. So much so that former Ringling/BAC/ Vargas Ringmaster Kevin Venardos stepped out of the spotlight to form his own circus-related production company that “strikes an extraordinary balance between a Circus Consulting Service
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OABA Trustee Wayne McCary, Vice Chair of the international circus federation, presenting Essi Mäkelä (Finland) winning recognition for her 2014 calendar cover. and a Full-Scale Theatrical Production House.” Check it out at www.venardoscircus.com. A handful of Florida-based animal trainers/presenters are offering the public a chance to get “up close and personal” with animals. Patricia Zerbini’s Two Tails Ranch outside Williston, Florida conducts tours of her elephant farms on a regular basis, featuring her best pachyderm pal Luke. In nearby Ocala, Marcia and Luis Palacio have opened the Best Hay Farm and Petting Zoo to the public. In Hollywood cinema news, Bill Condon, writer and director of the 2006 musical Dreamgirls that was nominated for eight Academy Awards, has been has been inked to rewrite 20th Century Fox’s musical film The Greatest Showman on Earth, which will star Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum. The film will highlight Swedish opera star Jenny Lind whom Barnum toured around the country. On a much smaller scale, independent documentary company Through the Trees Productions is filming “The Church That Ran Away With the Circus.” According to the project’s producer and editors, Marisa Gill, Concetta DeLuco and Jerry Garcia respectively, the film will highlight the exceptionally close ties between St. Martha’s Catholic Church in Sarasota and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus during its “winter quarters” years there. Trapeze artist Miguel Vazquez made circus history when he successfully completed the world’s first quadruple somersault on the flying trapeze in Tucson, Arizona on July 10, 1982. Now, a North Korean flyer named Han Ho Song from the National Circus of Pyongyang completed the world’s first quintuple somersault while performing with the Stardust Circus in Stuttgart, Germany. Some circus folks, however, are calling it an “assisted quintuple” because of the extra boost given by a fellow flyer. Decide for yourself at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=hGH8R3mRzzk (around the 7:00 minute mark). The Fifth Annual World Circus Day kicks off a month-long celebration March 20 with festivities in Monte-Carlo. At the 38th Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo held in January, American contortionist Sasha Pivaral and Los Angeles street performance artist Robert Muraine took home individual awards. Former Circus Harmony student Renaldo “Junior” Williams and his partner Naomi Pichon won a Silver Medal at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris. Gary Payne of the Circus Fans Association’s Animal Welfare Committee, which has been instrumental in battling numerous challenges to the circus by animal rights activists, is handing over the Chairpersonship reins to Sarah Conley. Gary is
2014 Circus Fund Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Honorary Chair of the international circus federation, with Wayne McCary at their recent board meeting and ECA competition. not stepping down, however, but rather stepping up as the new CFA President for 2015-16, and has pledged “to ramp up CFA’s support for Sarah and her entire committee.” And, speaking of animal rights battles in the northeast, the Boston City Council recently defeated a proposed ban on the ankus as a legitimate management tool for elephants by a vote of 8 to 3 (thanks, in part, to Massachusetts CFA enthusiasts). Councilor-at-Large Michael T. Gaffney saw through the activists’ hidden agenda, noting that banning a circus is just the first move “to have animals banned in other things, such as petting zoos.” District 5 Councilor Gary Rosen said that there were more pressing issues facing Bostonians, adding that “if people object to wild and exotic animals performing at circuses held in the city, then they simply shouldn’t go to them.” Thank goodness for the wisdom of Boston’s straight-thinking council members! H
Circus Producers Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000 Kathleen Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Bill Morris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 Alliance of Professional Animal Exhibitors & Owners . . . . . 500 National Showmens Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Bari L. & John E. Hart, Jr. – with appreciation to Jan & Bill Biggerstaff for Circus Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 OABA Tampa Circus Unit Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Welde’s Big Bear Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Felix Adler-Paul Binder Tent No. 12, CFA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Wayne Scheiner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Brian Liddicoat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Neil & Debbie Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 TOTAL $6,056
To contribute to the Circus Fund, make your check payable and send to: OABA Circus Fund, 1035 S. Semoran Blvd., Ste. 1045A, Winter Park, FL 32792 It is important that we maintain this fund so we are able to hire professionals to assist with challenges such as legislation that threaten our members’ businesses. Please consider and make your contributions to this very important resource pool. Feel free to be creative such as matching dollars, innovative fundraisers, endowments and memorials, to name a few. Another option is to designate a percentage or daily amount of your ride operation to be set aside for this important fund.
OUTDOOR AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAMS Intera has the expertise to design & implement successful employee training programs. Our programs are extremely comprehensive to ensure your employees have the best education and understand your company’s expectations on day one of their employment. In the amusement industry, there is nothing more important than safety & employee training.
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ASSOCIATION H circus members
Capitol Update By Joan Galvin, OABA Government Relations Consultant
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s I write this, the Florida State Fair is underway in Tampa, the winter circus season in Sarasota is in full swing, and OABA has just completed its 49th annual membership meeting. It’s always a wonderful time of year here in Florida — lots of sunshine and strawberries, and the ice and snow storms are far to our north! Just this past couple of months we in the circus world have enjoyed the winter whirlwind of annual events, including the Ring of Fame inductions, the Ringling Bros. premier opening in Tampa, the Monte Carlo Festival, the opening of the 2014 season of Circus Sarasota and an assortment of other wonderful circus related activities such as Showfolks gatherings, Windjammers concerts and Sailor Circus. All in all a great time for fellowship — catching up with old friends and making new ones! At the OABA circus meeting held in Tampa, we had a chance to discuss a wide range of issues including the usual focus on animals and the challenges we face in defending our freedom to operate, including how to better communicate our messages of animal care and wellbeing to the public and how to manage bias within the regulatory community. While it often appears to be a daunting task, the good news is that our efforts pay off — and they pay off in large part because of the constant support we receive from the grassroots.
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When legislatures or city councils hear from you it makes a difference, so thank you all for your good work and please continue to check in at CFA.org/grassroots to keep up to date on how you can help. A few other topics were discussed at the meeting. Jack Beebe reminded everyone of the Showman’s Rest. It is a wonderful and generous program and anyone who knows of a need should reach out to Jack or to the OABA to be put in touch. The Showmen’s League of America has their Showmen’s Rest in Chicago as well. In addition, we had the opportunity to recognize the special contributions of many of our members and supporters. Cast in the form of a bear silhouette this year, an OABA award was presented to David Orr (posing with bear trainer Monica Welde — her bears were down the road at the fair!) on behalf of the Forepaugh Lubin Tent #2. Additional awards were presented to the Circus Producers Association, Feld Entertainment and The Big “E” for their continued contributions to the OABA Animal Defense Fund. And a big OABA shout-out goes to Kathleen Nelson and Bill Morris for their generous contributions that they presented to Bob Johnson at the meeting. We had an update on the recent meeting of the World Circus Federation from Father Notter during the Festival in Monte Carlo and plans for this year’s World Circus Day to be held on April 19. And, of course, planning is underway, as we heard from Brian Liddicoat, for the upcoming Circus Summit in July 2015 to be held at The Big “E” grounds in West Springfield. Finally, it would not be an OABA circus meeting without unveiling the 2014 OABA circus animal pin — a camel. All proceeds support the OABA’s efforts to defend your rights to enjoy animals as part of the circus, so add to your collection of OABA circus animal pins with this year’s pin, sponsored by R. W. Commerford & Sons. As always, many thanks to OABA circus advocate and fundraiser David Orr for his
hard work with his “agents” including his top seller, Monica Welde, who promote and sell these beautiful circus pins! Lastly, a big OABA thank you to Bill Biggerstaff and Marty and John Wells for their continued promotion of the OABA pin fundraiser and all they do for the OABA. H
march 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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ASSOCIATION H Market Place & advertisers’ index
Market place
Advertisers’ Index March 2014 ADVERTISERS Allied Specialty Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
JKJ Workforce Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
AmTech/Worldwide Service & Supply, Inc. . . . 17
Lifetime Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Berk Paper & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Midway Stainless Fabricators . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Chestnut Identity Apparel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Twister / Maverick Moser . . . . . . . . . . . . $399,000 Disco Zamperla . . . . . . . . . . $399,000 Drop Tower / Trailer Mount ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . $299,000 Kite Flyer Zamperla . . . . . . . . . . . $99,000 Tornado / Trailer Mount Wisdom . . . . . . . . . . . $109,000 Scooter 1800 / Trailer Mount Majestic . . . . . . . . . . . $224,000 Drop Tower Moser . . . . . . . . . . . . . $89,000 Americana Carousel 28’ Chance . . . . . . . . . . . $119,000 1989 Orbiter / Trailer Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $205,000 Sea Dragon / Trailer Mount Chance . . . . . . . . . . . $189,000 Nitro / Freak Out Style Ride Zamperla . . . . . . . . . . $379,000 Baja Buggy / Trailer Mount Zamperla . . . . . . . . . . . $59,000 Pharaoh Fury . . . . . . $449,000 Eli #16 Trailer Mounted Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $199,000 RequesT A CoMpleTe lisT Call Len Soled or John Coburn
908-526-8009 VisiT ouR Web siTe http://www.rides4u.com
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H OABA ShowTime Magazine | march 2014
Coca Cola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC
Norton Auctioneers of Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Owen Trailers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Eli Bridge Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Firestone Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Gold Medal Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Gull Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Prairie Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Rides 4-U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 34 Schantz Mfg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC
Haas & Wilkerson Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Show Me Fabrication Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Hitch-Hiker Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC
Sippers by Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Intera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Victor Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
ShowTime
Outdoor Amusement Business Assn. 1035 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 1045A Winter Park, FL 32792