July 2016
In This Issue:
Get in The Game
Lend Your Voice to Your Association
Coleman Bros. Shows Celebrating 100 Seasons
Plus Trade Journalism Passion for the Industry
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Contents The Official Publication of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association
Features
Don’t Just Sit Back... Get in the Game! Spring Storms, Soggy Lots Usher in Coleman Bros. Shows’ 100th Season The Truth About Trade Journalism
11 12 14
July 2016
ASSOCIATION 4 FROM THE OABA CHAIR
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS 18 DOT REGULATORY NEWS
Your OABA is as Good as You Make It
State and Federal Legislation and Regulations
6 ASSOCIATION BUZZ
20 ARNOLD SAFETY CONSULTING
Put OABA to Work for You
Rules for Lightweight Vehicles and House Trailers
8 ON THE EARIE Tom Powell reports on the industry’s shows, fairs, colorful show folks and amusing events.
10 AS THE WHEEL TURNS July 2016
Who, what and where are people making news? Here’s the scoop.
15 PHOTO GALLERY The OABA catches members in action.
15 SERVICES, BENEFITS & PROGRAMS Jammin’ Jamborees and Contribution Fund Drawing Winners
GOVERNMENT Features 21 H-2B VISA PROGRAM’S ECONOMIC VALUE LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY By Congressman Billy Long
CIRCUS MEMBERS 22 FROM THE CENTER RING Rodney Huey follows circuses around the country.
24 CAPITOL UPDATE Joan Galvin, Government Relations Consultant
In This Issue:
Get in The Game
Lend Your Voice to Your Association
Coleman Bros. Shows Celebrating 100 Seasons
Plus Trade Journalism Passion for the Industry
This month’s beautiful cover image was provided by Gregg S. Korek of North American Midway Entertainment. Thank you, Scooter!
ShowTime PUBLISHER|MANAGING EDITOR Robert Johnson 407.681.9444 H bobj@oaba.org EDITOR Dee Dee Alford 407.681.9444 H deedeea@oaba.org GRAPHIC DESIGN Avic-Versi Creative Jen Burge H 817.602.7254 H avicversi@att.net ADVERTISING SALES 407.681.9444 H oaba@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. 2016
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Our Mission: To promote the preservation and growth of the
outdoor amusement industry through leadership, advocacy and education.
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.
OABA OFFICERS
OABA TRUSTEES
CHAIR Thomas J. Gaylin, III 1ST VICE CHAIR E. J. Dean 2ND VICE CHAIR Jay Strates 3RD VICE CHAIR Larry Yaffe TRUSTEE 2015 Michael Wood TRUSTEE 2014 Chris Lopez TRUSTEE 2013 Mike Featherston TREASURER Mitchell Kaliff PRESIDENT Bob Johnson
OABA DIRECTORS Michael Brajevich Doug Burtch Tony Cassata Brad Dallman Andy Deggeller Michael Doolan Blake Huston Stacey Jamieson Marc Janas
Michael Lauther Charlene Leavitt Ron Morris Ben Pickett Debbie Powers Rick Reithoffer Lorelei Schoendienst Patrick Sheridan Scott Siefker
Joseph Skerbeck Mary Chris Smith Greg Stewart Holly Swartz Amber Swedgan Rob Vivona
Jeanne McDonagh-2012 Bill Johnson-2011 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 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
* Deceased
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ASSOCIATION H MESSAGE FROM THE OABA CHAIR
Your OABA is as Good as You Make It Tom Gaylin, OABA Chair 2016
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embership in social clubs, such as the VFW, increase the membership rolls, while all the while enable the Shriners and Lions Clubs today are not as popuAmbassador to have a good time. My daughter, Michelle, is our lar with the current, younger generation as they OABA Show Ambassador and enjoys doing it! once were and, by and large, membership in a professional soAdditionally, every member of the OABA purchases items ciety or trade association could be declining. Why? Interesting such as plush, supplies, signage, food items, ride parts, question that is not easily answered. insurance, tires, fuel, etc., just to name a few, to maintain As we live in a “ME” society, the socitheir businesses. As a member, when etal trend is to worry more about oneyou purchase these items, should you self than our fellow humans. A second suggest to these manufacturers and supIf every current part of the equation is that, as a whole, pliers about supporting your OABA, this member would sign-up just we take things for granted, especially too may swell our membership rolls. one additional member each other, and more often than not, Everyone that we purchase an item from regret doing so. does not necessarily need to be a memequal to their membership Your OABA is our national trade asclassification, we could double ber, but it would be extremely helpful if sociation that’s purpose is to advance they would support your trade associaour membership this year. causes that benefit the entire mobile tion that helps your business. Or maybe amusement industry, thereby helpthey would consider supporting as a ing your businesses. This trade association is only as good sponsor. Just ask; you’d be surprised how easy it is! as its members make it, but we need more members. If every The membership benefits and perks are too numerous to current member would sign-up just one (1) — that’s right, one list in this article, but can be found in this issue of ShowTime — additional member equal to their membership classificaand by going to our website, www.oaba.org. Use these benefits tion, we could double our membership this year. But guess and perks to entice new memberships. what, we all know that it is human nature to takes things for You ask, “What has the OABA done for me?” Just by using granted. Why should I bother; someone else will sign-up two our member services, you will more than save your cost of new members. Each member carnival needs to make an effort membership, multiple times over. And don’t forget we are to hold a membership drive and sign-up as many new memfighting at both the state and federal levels to protect you bers as possible. against onerous legislation and regulatory issues. Also, it is imperative for every member carnival to desigYour OABA is only as good as you make it. If you need adnate a Show Ambassador. Those of you that have not done so ditional information or support, please call the OABA office at need to accomplish this right away. Your Show Ambassador 800-517-6222 or contact me directly at 443-463-8181. will be eligible for OABA perks and prizes that make his/her May the sun shine on you for the remainder of your season, effort more than worth their while. Show Ambassadors will and please keep safety top of mind. H
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ASSOCIATION H ASSOCIATION BUZZ
Put OABA to Work for You Bob Johnson, OABA President
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s many of you begin your fair season this month, programs, webinars, amusement ride safety and other mutualour new membership dues year begins on July 1 ly-shared initiatives. and runs through June 30, 2017, and we ask for Your dues help fund the OABA’s lobbyists in Washington, who your membership renewal. Notices have been sent electroniare fighting to reduce the regulatory burden and opportunities cally to all members with email addresses containing a link for seasonal H-2B guest workers to work in your businesses for that takes you to your member eight to twelve months each year. profile to renew your dues. Or you In addition, your OABA dues help can simply go to our webpage, fund our DOT expert, Eric Arnold, and Your Board of Directors www.oaba.org, and use a credit dedicate their time and energy to support industry legend Tom Powell, card for the fastest, easiest way to OABA News Ambassador and Hall of help make this industry and the pay your dues. You can also call Famer, who gives us breaking news each the office and we will renew your week in ShowTime Xtra as well as our OABA a better trade association membership over the phone. monthly magazine, ShowTime. for all members. They are the Building membership is always OABA membership dues help fund our backbone of the OABA. top of mind with our staff and expert USDA consultant on exotic performMembership Committee, chaired ing animals, Joan Galvin, to protect your by E.J. Dean, OABA First Vice Chair. rights to exhibit elephants, tigers, bears, The staff supports their action plans with communications, camels and other animals in circuses and at fairs. Our communieducation programs, social media and our state and federal cations expert in the circus industry, Rodney Huey, keeps you up advocacy work. Our goal is to protect and promote your famto date each month on circus activity around the globe. ily’s mobile amusement business. Your Board of Directors meets three times a year, travel at This year we have retained the services of Eric German, their own expense and dedicate their time and energy to help whom many know from his days running the IX Center’s make this industry and the OABA a better trade association for Amusement Expo in Cleveland for several years. Eric’s familiarall members. They are the backbone of the OABA. ity with our industry, especially carnivals and manufacturers And lastly, your dues help us retain a very competent staff and suppliers, will help us launch a new campaign and push to who are dedicated to providing answers and service to help enhance our membership rolls. you. Al DeRusha, Dee Dee Alford, Brenda Rodriguez and I proOur alliances with the IAFE, IFEA, IAAPA and NICA trade vide the daily communications and administer our programs groups and our state alliances with California Portable Ride and services that serve your business needs. Operators, AMABA (MA), NJAA, and the National Private Truck So “Put OABA to Work for You” today... renew or Council (NPTC) help our members by sharing educational join now! H
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ASSOCIATION H ON THE EARIE
On The Earie Tom Powell, OABA News Ambassador
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t’s funny how you slow down as you get a little older. How many times have I heard somebody say the Golden Years aren’t what they’re cracked up to be lately? The answer is too many, but my wife, Christine, who has the most upbeat attitude, always points out we’re fortunate to still be here. I was talking to a guy 20 years younger than me the other night and he said he had five appointments with doctors in one week. My buddy John A. Hobbs, who is 88, still enjoys life to the fullest, something Christine and I make sure we do. We wouldn’t think of missing the February trade show in Gibsonton, but we have cut back on a lot of other activities. We avoid flying as much as we can, and it’s much more difficult to get around a midway. I found the solution at the Minnesota State Fair where, thanks to Ronnie Netterfield, I maneuver nicely with a motorized vehicle. In May I wrote about the passing of Bob Lemos who, with his wife, Maureen, owned L&L Amusements. Maureen said that Bob, who was 82, had worked as a photo engraver for the Boston Herald Traveler for 20 years. He was president of the New England Showmen’s Association in 1979, and president of the Miami Showmen’s Association in 1989. That same year, Maureen was in charge of the Miami Club’s Ladies Auxiliary. Over the years, while working some with Billy Burr’s Fun-O-Rama and Harold Fera’s Rockwell Amusements, the Lemoses also spent winters toiling as Family Fun Corporation at Preston Henn’s famous Swap Shop in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where they provided rides and food. Speaking of the Miami Club brought back a lot of memories. Angelo Dundee, the trainer for Muhammad Ali, formerly Cassius Clay, was a regular at the club’s banquets. I was on the dais at one of those events when a suspender came loose on my tuxedo and my pants kind of dropped a little. I called out to Christine, but Gloria Lauther said she’d take care of it, and she did. Harold and Evelyn Newell, well-known
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concessionaires, were regulars then and to illustrate what a small world it is, my cardiologist in Nashville is their nephew. He said it was the Newells who paid his way through medical school. Johnny Campi and Danny Dell were prominent at the Miami Club, where Brian Morrissey is currently the president in his second consecutive term. We haven’t made it back to Scranton the last two years, after a great surprise 80th birthday celebration at my favorite restaurant in the world, Arcaro’s. Owners are Frank and Sally Arcaro and her brother, Gehrie Aten, owns Bill Hames Shows, now called Carnival Americana. Some of the things we’ve missed are the Northeast Fair at nearby Pittston, which was scheduled for June 21-26 with Reithoffer Shows on the midway, and the National Ticket picnic, always held on the Saturday closest to my July 18 birthday. Ned Ludes, chairman emeritus, is always a gracious host, as is Dick Knoebel of Knoebel’s Amusement Resort, where the event is held. Pat Garrett and Suzy Dalton who play there several times a year have new records out about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Pat was in town last week to make music. He’s the guy who couldn’t get his music played on local radio stations so he bought his own, plus an amphitheater. He booked the likes of George Jones, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard and made sure that he and Suzy, who is also his wife, were the opening act. He has fun with the music. We have a new mayor in Nashville, Megan Berry, who was a surprise victor over some tough opposition. One of the biggest winners is the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, where she has pledged to provide $12 million for improvements. The State Fair, which had gone downhill for years, has been making a mild comeback toward the glory days when former Mayor Beverly Briley was mayor and a familiar figure in International Association of Fairs & Exhibitions circles. Some of the carnivals that played it during its heyday were Gooding’s Million
Dollar Midways, when it was run by Hal Eifort and Milt Kaufman, Strates Shows and Jerry Murphy’s Murphy Brothers Exposition, which actually teamed up to work together on it when I first started working at AB. Jeff Blomsness, who was in town last month for a successful run at a local shopping center, has to be pleased that the fair will be receiving new life since his North American Midway Entertainment now has the contract. The former mayor, Carl Dean, had pledged to shut down or move the fair and the historic half mile race track which used to feature two NASCAR Grand National (now known as Sprint Cup) races a year. All the great ones, including The King, Richard Petty, regularly appeared. If anybody wonders about what a successful fair can contribute to a community, the Cheyenne, Wyoming Frontier Days, known as the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and Western Celebration, has provided some impressive answers. A study conducted by Dean Runyan Associates of Portland, OR, concluded that the 2015 edition was successful by all measures. A total of 606,194 people attended all combined events during the 10-day celebration. The total economic impacts derived from direct visitor spending resulted in $36.2 million of business activity generated for Laramie County A total of $5.3 million was spent on food and beverages in restaurants and bars, and $3.7 million for overnight accommodations. Another $7.6 million was spent on entertainment and recreation, including ticket sales, and $10.8 million on retail sales, including motor fuel and groceries. Jobs were provided for 300 full and part-time workers, with $4.6 million in earnings. Local tax revenue added $549,000 to its coffers and state tax revenue was $649,000. Not bad, and that’s just Cheyenne. Beverly Gruber, executive secretary of the Pennsylvania State Showmen’s Association, is also president of the Great Allentown Fair, where Les (Corky) and Debbie Powers provide the midway with their Powers Great American Midways. Last year, Gruber challenged food
H OABA ShowTime Magazine | JULY 2016
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Russell and Tammy Kissel of Kissel Entertainment visit with Wade Muller, left, OA Finance, Lee’s Summit, MO. The Kissels play Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Tommy Murray, left, Tommy’s Midway, The Bronx, NY, checks out the rides with Mark Blumhagen, who has worked 16 years for Len Soled’s Rides-4-U.
Joe Kennedy, Joe’s Equipment, West Islip, NY, which has 12 games, books with Wonderland Amusements of Brooklyn, NY. Chatting with him at the trade show in Gibsonton is Stephanie Cantante, MSV Food Services, Long Island, NY. Relaxing at the bar during the trade show in Gibsonton, from left, are Bobbi Lane Pope, Terri Swyear, and Cindy Lauther. Cindy’s husband, Michael, is an OABA director.
Dean Riley, U. S. Events Bears & Fairs, which does midway marketing and consulting, right, chats outside the entrance gate at the Gibtown trade show with Gerald and Penny Otterbacher, Ohio-based owners of Glo Concessions, a family business. concessionaires to come up with a new fair food. Vince Cocca came in first with Vince’s Cheesesteaks-Hot Wings. It’s described as a delicious cut of bone-in pork made from the shank (a single bone) surrounded by lean, tender meat. The hot wing is then grilled and covered with a sweet and spicy apple butter barbecue and topped with a glazed pineapple ring and fresh parsley. That makes me hungry. What makes me want to wash it down is a concoction from Little Richard Thomas who, like me, is getting too old to be wandering around those midways. Little Richard, who maintains that he invented the blooming onion, now the featured food at Outback Restaurants, reached into his bag of tricks to come up with deep-fried lemonade. If you see him and he’s ubiquitous, ask how it’s done. Please send news to tomp@oaba.org, or call 615-319-1258. Have all great days, and God Bless! H
At Scotty and Peggy Oakes’ corned beef stand at the Gibtown trade show are Jeanette Gilmore, Smokey’s Greater Shows, third from left, with Andy, Lorelei and Andrew Schoendienst, Luehrs’ Ideal Rides. Andy, at left, was OABA chairman in 2008. Lorelei is an OABA director.
Enjoying the varied activities during the trade show in Gibsonton are Cindy Larkee, Tip Top Shows, and Jeff Dills, Uni-Glide. Larkee’s mother, Barbara, was club president in 2000.
From left, at the Fare Foods National Independent Concessionaires Association trade show are Tim O’Brien and his mother, SanDee, and two-time NICA president Greg Miller.
Don and Cecelia Kennett are food operators partnered in Dickerson and Kennett, Lebanon, IN. They have a long history in the cookhouse business.
With North American Midway Entertainment for a spring date at the Global Mall At The Crossing in Nashville are Sean Morgan and Patricia Brumage, working a balloon stand. JULY 2016 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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ASSOCIATION H AS THE WHEEL TURNS
Making News...
IN MEMORIAM
Thomas Tanner Passes Away
Gull Wing Industries Working with the Carnival Industry since 1989 Contact us at:
www.gull-wing.com
Pack-Man 175 kw or 250 kw Quiet Power Tractor or Trailer Mounted
Thomas Charles Tanner (75) went to be with the Lord in the comfort of his home May 24. Preceded in death by father, Parry Benjamin Tanner and mother, Mary Elizabeth (Evans) Tanner both from Gallia County, Ohio. Survived by his dear wife, Jeanette of Alliance, Ohio and sons, Dan and Stephanie (Nolte) Tanner, Dave and Kelly (Hymes) Tanner of Greenville, Ohio. Grandchildren, Jessica, Allie, Emma, Aubrey and Dominic. Services were held June 4 at Sebring Friends Church. Memorial contributions can be made online to fundraise.feedthechildren.org/TomTanner Memorial, or checks mailed to Feed the Children, PO Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101 (include Motivation Code “6MHE59GEC” in memo line of check.) H
SUBMISSION H AS THE WHEEL TURNS GFlex 400 Amp
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Announcements or suggestions can be emailed to oaba@oaba.org
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H OABA ShowTime Magazine | JULY 2016
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H FEATURES
Spring Storms, Soggy Lots Usher in
Coleman Bros. Shows’
100 Season th
By Lane Talburt
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other Nature may have been a bit too generous in showering her springtime blessings on the launch of Coleman Bros. Shows’ 100th anniversary season. After rain plagued the opening 10-day stand in late March at its home base in Middletown, Connecticut, the carnival had to delay playing Shelton’s Riverside Park for several weeks because of standing water on the grassy turf. When operations chief Tim Coleman returned to lay out the same lot for a May 11–15 stand, he found it was still too “spongy” to set up the Twin Flip extreme thrill ride.
vice president for operations, Tim shares responsibilities with his sister, secretarytreasurer Mary Oakes, for overseeing the day-to-day running of this traditional family owned and operated outfit. Though Coleman Bros. pulled off good Saturday business under mostly sunny skies in Shelton, heavy rain virtually wiped out Friday evening, and blustery weather on Sunday kept many who otherwise would have returned in their homes. Nary a drop of moisture hindered carnival-goers at the next stop just 14 miles north in Naugatuck, where a full complement of rides was on hand. The following
The carnival was slated to play at three of Connecticut’s largest cities – Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford — before tackling its well-established county fair route in upstate New York from July to October. This year Coleman Bros. also regained an older stop in Greenfield, Massachusetts along its 25-community route. “We’re off to a bumpy start this year,” acknowledged Anthony Oakes in an interview at Shelton. Oakes books the show and owns more than a dozen games, food stands and rides on the Coleman midway. Anthony has been married for
“We’ve been in
Connecticut a hundred years now, so everybody knows our name. Tim Coleman The rest of the carnival — 20 rides, 15 concessions and a half dozen food vendors — perched atop “the Slab;” a buried three-block-long foundation of the former Sponge Rubber Products factory that had been leveled 40 years ago by a massive explosion. “This is a capped lot, so it’s got sod on top of concrete; water doesn’t drain, it just sits,” explained Tim Coleman during an interview in Shelton. As the show’s
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Mary Coleman Oates lot in Stratford enabled Coleman Bros. to offer the Twin Flip for a two-week stand highlighted by the Memorial Day weekend. There the carnival occupied a highly-visible location at one end of a strip mall, but new commercial development at the mall forced the show to squeeze onto a smaller asphalt site. Among rides sent back to the Coleman “barn” for that date were its venerable Round-Up, Yo Yo and a newly-acquired kiddie rides.
over 40 years to Mary Oakes and is a vital member of the management team. “If it’s a bone fide spot in the spring and we’re fighting weather constantly, I try to stay 10 days, especially if it’s in a metro area or along a heavily trafficked highway,” Anthony reasoned. “So if we lose the first weekend we’re not leaving town and leaving a lot of money on the table. In other towns you’ve got to play them at certain times of the month.”
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Mary Oakes closely monitors income and outgo and controls coupon sales. Gate admission is $1. Coleman Bros. offers one-price wrist-band discounts for rides at $25 on Tuesday and Thursday night and Saturday afternoon. The carnival’s reputation for creating a family-friendly environment is responsible for repeat sponsorship and attendance on lot after lot, Mary Oakes said, noting that rides at each location are about divided between adult and children favorites. “We’ve been in Connecticut a hundred years now,” Mary said. “So everybody knows our name. We’ve also played a lot of our New York fairs for 40, 50 years.” As the lighted Coleman Bros. entrance gate proudly proclaims, the family has owned and operated the carnival since 1916. That’s when Tim and Mary’s
weekend employee on the traveling show as well as a ride jockey at their midway operation in Ocean Beach Park in New London, Connecticut,” McCary recalled. “Much of my passion and knowledge of the carnival world was driven by a lifelong association with Dick Coleman and his sons, Bob and Tody. In my estimation they represented the gold standard in the carnival business and a tradition that continues today by the new family generation.”
Kristy and Arlene Coleman
“Making people happy, it’s just what we do. We just want to keep it going another Rachael and Bob Coleman grandfather, Richard “Dick” Coleman, and his brother Tom, bought a steampowered Merry-Go-Round for $250. After Tom’s death, Dick continued to run the show and later turned it over to his son, Robert J. Coleman. Bob Coleman, who served as OABA’s president in 1989, has retired from the road with his wife of 66 years, Rachael, to Port St. Lucie, Florida. Even though third-generation siblings Tim and Mary manage carnival operations, their father, at age 90, is still the Coleman Bros. president. “And he’s still very hands on even though he’s not here,” said Mary Oakes. “We all talk to him every day. My dad really loves this carnival.” Coleman Bros. provided a career start in the outdoor amusement business to many a youngster, including Wayne McCary, retired president and CEO of Eastern States Exposition and a former OABA chairman. “At the age of 12 I tore down my first ride (merry go round) and was often a
hundred years.”
Bobby Coleman with Daughter Tina
Bob Coleman’s offspring hope to hand off this mobile enterprise to the fourth generation. Kristy Coleman and Rachael Oakes, the daughters of Tim and Arlene Coleman and Anthony and Mary Oates, respectively, currently spend summers on the show. The Coleman family intends to keep the carnival’s size manageable so that its 30-something seasonal employees can squeeze up to 27 show-owned rides onto lots at smaller towns and fairs. Its oldest, the Round-Up, has been in
service since the late 1960s. With proper daily maintenance by ride foreman Bobby Coleman, Tim and Mary’s nephew, the rides continue to pass state and local safety inspections on a regular basis. The show also is upgrading its lighting to LEDs on rides and attractions. In addition to the traditional rides and the Twin Flip (one of only two in the U.S., according to Tim Coleman), the family has introduced for the centennial tour three new kiddie rides by Hampton; they fit on a single trailer. With the exception of the computer-assisted Twin Flip, Thunderbolt and Ali Baba, all rides on the midway are operator controlled. Other independent rides and vendors are added as needed. One of the show’s most significant challenges is in Anthony Oakes’ hands: finding playable — and profitable — lots, particularly in Connecticut with the highest population density per square mile of any state. On the bright side, the Nutmeg State’s small size also translates into shorter jumps — 60 miles would be considered long — and the resulting savings in fuel costs. Equally if not more demanding is the task of recruiting American workers willing to do hard work, said Tim Coleman. Most join up along the route, supplementing a core team of Coleman veteran ride hands. “Normally they’ll come in and start tearing down and setting up. Then if they think they want to travel, they’ll go on to the next lot. We’ll carry new guys with us four or five days, breaking them in, training them how to run a ride, how to do the daily check sheets and the day-to-day maintenance. If they stay, they stay, but nine times out of ten, they don’t,” Tim said with a shrug. But through the first century in business, the Coleman family has survived floods, hurricanes and other daunting challenges. Not surprisingly, Mary Oakes admitted, “We love it. We complain and moan and groan but this is what we’ve done our whole lives. Making people happy, it’s just what we do. We just want to keep it going another hundred years.” H Lane Talburt is a veteran public relations consultant and video producer, based in Stratford, CT.
JULY 2016 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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H FEATURES
The Truth About Trade Journalism by Tim O’Brien
“TRUST ME, I’M A JOURNALIST.”
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can’t tell you how many times I’ve used that line over my 44 years as a member of the Fourth Estate. It was mostly said in jest, but always to stress to the person I was interviewing that he/she could truly trust me. Trust is an important tool to have when you are dealing with an industry that guards competitive plans very closely. Specifically, the attractions industry. For many years as a fledgling industry journalist, many park officials considered me a nemesis—that is until they got to know me better. I worked hard to earn their trust, and I did so by being open, thoughtful, and honest. Knowing the industry in which I served well also helped. If there was something in my story that didn’t seem right or a quote that seemed out of character, I would call and double check. I remember calling a park president back one day and reading a quote he had given me, asked, “Do you really want to say that?” He didn’t, and by calling him, he trusted me a little bit more. “Why should we tell you what we have planned when all you are going to do is write a story telling all my competitors what I am doing,” was a common response to an interview request. The perception was that, as a trade journalist, all I could do was “spread their secrets,” unlike the local newspaper that could actually publish a story that would put some people through their turnstiles. However true to a certain point, a story in a trade publication serves all very well. Read on.
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Industry leaders want to hear what others are doing. Maybe it will validate what they are doing themselves, give
Tim with Dick Knoebel, president of Knoebels Amusement Resort
It’s easy to work for a publication when you are passionate about the industry you chronicle. them a new idea, or keep them from making the same mistake. In the news stories I wrote, I always had one major mission: I wanted the reader to think, at least once, while reading, “That’s good. I didn’t know that.”
It’s easy to work for a trade publication when you are passionate about the industry you chronicle on a day-to-day basis. My love for the outdoor entertainment business grew a little each time I would interview one of its members. Those whose major job on this earth is to put smiles on people’s faces are an amazing lot, and trade publications are in a great position to broadcast that passion. Passion is addictive, and I have always loved spreading it around. There was nothing nasty or unusual about how I was treated. Journalists are gatekeepers of the news, and if you don’t want something passed through that gateway, you simply protect confidential information. I understood that. In a nutshell, I am proud to say that over the years of reporting attractions industry news, I got most of it right, made a lot of friends along the way, and hopefully helped the industry as a whole. A little handwritten sign has hung over my desk for years, and it makes me smile every time I read it. It’s a quote from Mark Twain. “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” H Tim O’Brien is a veteran industry journalist and former vice president of Ripley Entertainment. He is the author of several books chronicling the industry’s attractions and personalities. Originally published in the June 2016 issue of IAAPA’s Funworld magazine. Reprinted with permission. www.IAAPA.org/Funworld
H OABA ShowTime Magazine | JULY 2016
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ASSOCIATION H PHOTO GALLERY
Photo Gallery
Jammin’ Jamborees
AIMS Safety Seminar 2016
PROGRAM
2016 OABA Jammin’ Jamboree
OABA Jamborees are fun, exciting and entertaining. They provide an opportunity for everyone on the show to get together and have a great time while doing some good for the OABA.
2016 Jammin’ Jamboree Totals
Twentieth Century Rides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,200 TOTAL $9,200
2016 OABA Jammin’ Jamboree Schedule
Twentieth Century Rides Brownsville, TX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 2 Butler Amusements – Lance’s Unit Sacramento, CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 13 Butler Amusements – Mick’s Unit Turlock, CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 14 These members received OABA scholarships to attend the AIMS Safety Seminar earlier this year. Pictured from left, Garrett Graham, Ray Cammack Shows; Cody Forrester, Ray Cammack Shows; Derrick Thompson, Strates Shows; and Nick Strates, Strates Shows.
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West Coast Amusements Red Deer, AB, Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 19 West Coast Amusements Vermilion, AB, Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 27
H OABA ShowTime Magazine | JULY 2016
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ASSOCIATION H SERVICES, BENEFITS & PROGRAMS
Contribution Fund PROGRAM
2016 OABA Contribution Fund Program Participants
BRONZE • Get Your Contribution Fund Tickets Now • This is deductible as a business expense
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 First Prize $300 $200 Second Prize Third Prize $100
Final drawing in February First Prize $3,000 $2,000 Second Prize Third Prize $1,000
Silver Plan
Contribution from Concessions & Rides $10.00 per week
Monthly drawings April-October First Prize $400 $300 Second Prize Third Prize $200
Final drawing in February First Prize $4,000 $2,000 Second Prize Third Prize $1,000
Bronze and Silver Plans: If the carnival contributions exceed $5,000, OABA dues are waived for carnival.
Gold Plan
Contribution from Concessions & Rides $5.00 per day
Monthly drawings April-October First Prize $500 $400 Second Prize Third Prize $300
Final drawing in February First Prize $5,000 $2,000 Second Prize Third Prize $1,000
Gold Plan: If the carnival contributions exceed $10,000, OABA dues are waived for carnival.
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Doolan Amusements Abigail Doolan Heidi Doolan John Doolan Michael Doolan Sean Doolan Tina Doolan Frazier Shows 3 G’s Ashley Ice Cream Blazen Enterprises Broetsky Entertainment Broetsky Equipment Broetsky Foods Andrea Broetsky Ashley Broetsky Bryan Broetsky Cash Broetsky Jan Broetsky Julie Broetsky Piper Broetsky S.P. Broetsky S.T. Broetsky Steve Broetsky Lauren & Billy Carpenter Frazier Shows Jessica Johnson Jamal Khalil Lauren Lauther Garfield Miller Garry Miller Ginny Miller Carlos Ramirez AJ Schrum
Adam Schrum Betsi Schrum Schrum Enterprises Mike Scott Barb Sloan Larry Sloan Tobias Sky Andrea Tobias Dylan Tobias Emma Tobias George Tobias Georgie Tobias NAME – All Star Amusements JPB Blomsness Kris Rieder & Carl Wagoner Dawn Snoddy
SILVER
Carousel FEC Angelo Cappetta Tricia Thomas Deggeller Attractions American Concessions Any Name Jewelry Barrett’s East Coast Foods Bobo Brandon Concessions Bucky the Bull Bungee Blast Chen Name Art Cypress Enterprises – Jamie & Andy Deggeller Deggeller Attractions Deggeller Elsperman
2016 OABA Contribution Fund Ray Cammack Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,800 Reithoffer Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,090 Powers Great American Midways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,720 Frazier Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,285 Deggeller Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,640 NAME/Mid America Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480 Doolan Amusement Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Carousel Family Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 TOTAL $37,385
May Drawing Winners BRONZE
Ashley Broetsky Frazier Shows $300
SILVER
GOLD
T&T Concessions Joe Lewis Deggeller Ray Cammack Attractions Shows $400 $500
Kris Rieder & R&A Concessions Carl Wagoner Deggeller Attractions NAME – All Star $300 Amusements $200 Patricia Thomas Piper Broetsky Carousel Family Entertainment Frazier Shows $200 $100
Kate Ousey Ray Cammack Shows $400 Joyce Hutchins Ray Cammack Shows $300
H OABA ShowTime Magazine | JULY 2016
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GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS H DOT REGULATORY NEWS
DOT Regulatory News House Appropriations Committee Approves Bill With Trucking Provisions At a markup on May 24, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations approved a bill to fund the Department of Transportation for fiscal year 2017. The bill includes the following provisions: Hours of Service Restart Sec. 132 of the House bill would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from using any funds to implement, administer or enforce the 34-hour restart requirement for two off-duty periods from 1 AM
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to 5 AM or the prohibition on use of more than one restart during a consecutive 168-hour period, and such provisions shall have no force or effect. In addition, the 34-hour restart rule in effect on December 26, 2011 would be restored to full force and effect. Safety Fitness Determinations Sec. 135 of the House bill would prohibit the FMCSA from using any funds to amend, revise or otherwise modify by rulemaking, guidance or interpretation the regulations in effect on December 4, 2015 relating to safety fitness determinations
for motor carriers until the FMCSA completes the study of the CSA program, submits a Corrective Action Plan to Congress, and the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation makes the certifications set out in the FAST Act that the FMCSA has implemented the items in its plan. If enacted, this will prevent the FMCSA from going forward with its Safety Fitness Determination rulemaking until the study and corrective action plan are executed. Meal and Rest Break Preemption Sec. 134 of the House bill would preempt state
and local governments from imposing additional meal or rest break requirements on commercial motor vehicles drivers who are subject to the federal hours of service regulations. In addition, the effective date of this provision would be August 23, 1994, which would prevent lawsuits for prior deprivations of meal or rest breaks under state or local law. At the markup, Rep. David Price (D-NC), Ranking Democratic Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, offered an amendment to strip these
H OABA ShowTime Magazine | JULY 2016
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GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS H ARNOLD SAFETY CONSULTING
Rules for Lightweight Vehicles and House Trailers By Eric Arnold, Arnold Safety Consulting
Lightweight Vehicles
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ver my 13-year association with the OABA, I have written numerous articles about what type of vehicles are subject to DOT rules. However, I have received a number of calls in the past few months regarding lightweight, pickup type units, and whether or not they are subject to the DOT rules. Therefore, I am going to re-visit this topic. For the purposes of this article, I am going to focus on the federal safety regulations which apply if you cross state lines. I think this fits the vast majority of OABA members. If you never leave a state, then you will be governed by the safety regulations in that state. Often the state regulations are identical to the federal regulations; however, occasionally there are some important differences, especially when it comes to lightweight vehicles. The federal regulations apply to any unit which has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 lbs. or more. The GVWR is a value assigned by the manufacturer and is found on the vehicle. It is not on the title. It is not on the registration. It is usually on a metal tag inside the door. If this value exceeds 10,000 lbs., the vehicle is subject to all the federal safety regulations with the exception of drug testing and CDL. This means medicals, logbooks and annual vehicle inspections, among other things.
You also have to include the GVWR of any trailer being pulled. All trailers have a GVWR as well, which is usually found on the neck of the trailer. That value must be added to that of the power unit. If the total is more than 10,000 lbs., the combination vehicle is subject to the federal safety regulations. Finally, the weight of the vehicle itself must be under 10,001 lbs. For example, you have a half-ton pickup with a GVWR of 7,000 lbs. It is pulling a trailer which has a GVWR of 2,500 lbs. The total GVWR is 9,500 lbs. However, for this trip you loaded up the trailer more than you normally do, for whatever reason. The total weight of the entire rig is 11,000 lbs. This vehicle would be subject to the federal safety regulations, because the total weight exceeds 10,000 lbs. This is a rule changes which happened within the past five years. Both the GVWR and the total weight of the vehicle in question must be less than 10,001 lbs. It is possible some OABA members are confused about this requirement because it is not always enforced. Without doubt, there are members who pull kiddie rides with their three-quarter-ton pickup trucks, have done so for years, have no DOT number on the pickup, and have never been bothered by the police. At any point in time, the police can stop that kind of vehicle and demand to see logbook, medical and DOT number. Often they don’t bother because they have bigger fish to fry, but it’s an easy ticket to write if they are bored. It is potentially a big ticket.
House Trailers Fare Foods is currently seeking to fill the position of
OUTSIDE SALES REPRESENTATIVE The ideal candidate will process orders and solicit new qualifying business. You will gain extensive product knowledge and have the ability to quickly resolve issues with customers. ■
Candidate will be required to travel.
■
Previous Amusement/Carnival experience preferred.
■
Previous wholesale food experience preferred.
If you would like to become a part of a fast growing family owned food service company please send a resume to sharsy@farefoods.com
APPLY TODAY!
Fare Foods is a full-service amusement food & concession supplies provider delivering to events on site across the United States. We have warehouses centrally located in the Midwest and Tampa, Florida, servicing events throughout the year.
WE DELIVER! 1-800-651-1601
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As we just discussed, the house trailers you live in while traveling with the show mostly have GCVWRs in excess of 10,001 lbs. The OABA has argued for years these type of units should not be subject to the rules because they are not part of the show and are not in commerce. For example, a recreational vehicle (RV) driven by John Q. Public is not subject to any DOT safety regulations, no matter how big it is. However, because DOT sees an OABA RV as part of the convoy of carnival vehicles heading down the road, they may assume the vehicle is in commerce and demand to see logbook, medical, etc. I firmly believe these vehicles are not subject to the rules, as they are not in commerce. The vast majority of DOT cops agree with me. Nevertheless, there are a few DOT officers who insist they are in commerce, and no one will tell them differently. If you absolutely don’t want to be harassed by DOT on your house trailer, just qualify the vehicle and driver just like you would with any of the other work trucks. If that doesn’t appeal to you, then don’t drive the house trailer as part of the convoy when you move down the road. It doesn’t help your argument when you pull into a scale house and the cops see, ‘truck, truck, truck, camper, truck, truck…” They might say the camper is a truck, subject to the rules, and let you prove otherwise. Send the house trailer well ahead or behind the show vehicles. The police will have no idea the house trailer is part of the show. It will just look like any other John Q. Public RV. H Eric Arnold, President of Arnold Safety Consulting, Inc., is a former U.S. Department of Transportation agent, with 26 years regulatory and transportation compliance experience. His column will appear periodically in the ShowTime magazine. As part of your OABA dues, Mr. Arnold is available for free consultations regarding the DOT rules and regulations.
H OABA ShowTime Magazine | JULY 2016
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GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS H FEATURES
H-2B Visa Program’s EconomicFeature Value Locally Government Title and Nationally by ByGovernment Congressman Officlal Billy Long Name
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ach year around this time, many Americans begin to mark their calendars for annual festivals and summer fairs, which are seen as major community gatherings in my home state of Missouri and across the nation. These events bring together families and neighbors looking to try out new foods and entertainment, while their children often look forward to carnival rides. Most Americans have enjoyed these events but have no idea of the kind of hard work the industry’s employers and workers go through to make them a reality. Due to this line of work’s seasonal nature and demanding travel requirements, the H-2B temporary worker visa program has been critical to outdoor entertainers’ success. The same can be said for the H-2B program’s positive impact for employers looking to fill jobs in food processing, horse training, forestry, landscaping, circuses, hospitality, and other industries. In Missouri for instance, with more than 100,000 farms and about 16 percent of our workforce, agriculture is the number one industry and benefits greatly from the H-2B program. Our annual State Fair and smaller county fairs provide an opportunity for farmers to showcase their work and keep Missouri agriculture flourishing. Like other states’ similar fairs, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock from all over to see exhibits for livestock, vegetables, barn equipment, and other agricultural advancements. Aside from the professional and social aspects, these seasonal events also provide a great training ground for America’s next generation of agricultural leaders from groups like Future Farmers of America (FFA) to learn about the bigger landscape of the agriculture industry. The solubility of this program isn’t just critical to Missouri, but to communities everywhere in the United States. States, counties, churches, Rotary clubs, and educational groups hold outdoor events in most every community in America. For local economies, the program is important because it helps bring profit for local economies. Without the program, the livelihood of Americans who work for companies employing H-2B visa
program workers would also be threatened given that they may have to close down or scale back their operations. It’s important, also, to recognize that this program is essential to employers — especially in the seasonal outdoor entertainment industry — who cannot find American workers to fill these jobs. Also, H-2B visas are for temporary workers who work a set amount of time with the intention of returning to their home country, not folks trying to immigrate permanently to America. They provide an opportunity for businesses to operate at a higher capacity, retain full-time workers, and contribute to local economies. Unfortunately, the H-2B program’s annual 66,000 visa cap (33,000 for each half of the fiscal year) is not adequate to meet the demands of our growing economy. The cap for the first half of this fiscal year was already reached on March 15, 2016, leaving many seasonal employers excluded from the program with no access to legal seasonal laborers, who obeyed the law and complied with all past visa terms in previous years. Because of this, many businesses will be negatively impacted — some unable to operate — without relief from this cap. These seasonal events and the workers who make them possible are essential in my home state of Missouri’s agriculture industry, but also to other industries, communities, and local economies’ flourishment. With this in mind, I sent a letter asking tax dollar appropriations leaders in the House of Representatives to sustain and improve this program by providing cap relief for the numbers of temporary incoming workers and preserving the H-2B program in future appropriations bills. In this, and future legislative sessions, I will always be looking for more opportunities to reform and improve the H-2B worker program so that the needs for unique industries like outdoor amusement and the important role they play in our communities aren’t overlooked. H Congressman Billy Long has represented Missouri’s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011. He currently serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee Subcommittees on Health, Energy & Power, and Communications & Technology.
Puppy Roll Faribault, MN
JULY 2016 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H
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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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appy Fourth of July! Show your patriotism by doing something “circusy.” While no one expected the 146th edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to resemble last year’s show minus elephants, Out of this World represents a complete “reimagining” of the circus by producer Alana Feld. OOTW is an interactive family spectacle on ice that will take circusgoers on “a planet-hopping adventure in outer space.” According to a preview article by Check Salter of Fast Company, OOTW is based on a storyline and performed on and above ice through “a narrative that turned circus performers into characters” — not the least of which is Cossack rider Tatiana Tchalabaev in the starring role of Queen Tatiana of the Circus of Fire. In the story, the menacing Queen wants to “steal the circus” and dispatches her minions in search of the best circus acts in the galaxy, which, of course, they find Alex Lacey and his big cats, the King Charles Troupe on unicycles, the motorcycle madness of Torres Globe, the Simet Wheel of Death, Hans Klaus’ performing canines, ice-skating clowns and Photon (professional) Figure Skaters, with Johnathan Lee Iverson as galactic Ringmaster. OOTW was conceived and directed by veteran creative director Amy Tinkham whose credits include tours by Paul McCartney and Madonna. The entire production is chock full of new-age digital technology, including video projection onto the ice floor to give it “a more cinematic feel.” OOTW makes its debut in Fresno (CA) on July 7, followed by engagements in Los Angeles (CA) July 14–19 and Ontario (CAN) July 22–26 before finishing out the month in Anaheim (CA). Meanwhile, Ringling’s Circus Xtreme opens the month in San Antonio (TX), then travels to New Orleans (LA) before returning to the Lone Star state for a three-week, 27-show playdate in Houston. Circus Vargas’ iLuminous opens July at the “kitschy” Madonna Inn near San Luis Obispo (CA) before trekking to other traditional California dates. Carson & Barnes Circus is making a West Coast and Plains States swing this month while Kelly Miller Circus hits dates in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Universoul spends the entire month of July outside Washington, DC at the National Harbor on the Potomac River, while around the Capital Beltway in suburban Virginia, Cirque du Soleil ‘s Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities opens in Tysons Corner on July 21. The St. Paul (MN)-based Circus Juventas presents Wonderland as its 2016 Summer Show, opening July 29 with 18 performances by aspiring young artists through August 14. In Sarasota (FL), the Ringling Circus Museum is in mid-run of the 10th Annual Summer Circus Spectacular in the historic
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Asolo Theater, featuring the Dancing Gauchos of Argentina. By the way, John Ringling was recently named to the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame, joining such historical figures as Walt Disney, Thomas Edison and Henry Flagler. In addition to its annual Big Top Circus this summer, Circus World Museum will feature the Seimor Bros. Circus, a miniature circus model created by Mel Romeis and his wife Lottie of Milwaukee (WI). The model, which took 40 years to complete, was purchased by the Kohler Foundation after Romeis’ death in 2009, and later presented to the Wisconsin Historical Society which, in turn, donated it to CWM. Windjammers Unlimited will hold its annual Summer Meet July 26–31. The Portland (OR)-based training facility Pendulum Aerial Arts will be offering a two-week Circus Intensive Course for pre-professionals. The course runs July 5–15 and costs $650 per week. Cirque du Soleil enjoyed “an unusually strong start at the box office” by pulling in theater-going fans to the tune of $1 million in six preview performances of Paramour at New York City’s Lyric Theater. However, when the show opened May 25, the media was not so accommodating. The show, described as a “musical-theater-meets-acrobatics spectacle,” is based on a love triangle and “set in Hollywood’s golden age.” New York Post critic Elisabeth Vinventelli dubbed it “a new Broadway spectacular that isn’t.” New York Times critic Charles Isherwood noted that the while circus acts “provide the real entertainment . . . the musical surrounding them feels just as weightless, and far more forgettable” with “godawful dialogue.” Even The Globe and Mail in London panned the show, accusing it of “crashing and burning on Broadway” in a way that “no team of show doctors could cure this bafflingly bad show.” In international circus news, His Holiness Pope Francis celebrated the circus by welcoming circus artists and showfolks into St. Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican in honor of the Jubilee Year of Mercy for Circus and Travelling Show People on June 16 in Rome, Italy. While there have been various attempts at creating college degree programs for students who want to follow circus careers, none have come to full fruition. However, that did not stop Joshua Feinstein from pursuing his B.A. in circus studies through Illinois State University’s interdisciplinary program. Working with Honors Program Director Tim Fredstrom, University College Adviser Wendi Whitman, Physical Education Adviser Mindy Kinney and ISU’s Gamma Phi Circus, Feinstein graduated this spring with the country’s first college degree in circus studies. His four-year
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ASSOCIATION H CIRCUS MEMBERS
Capitol Update By Joan Galvin, OABA Government Relations Consultant
S
ummer is in full swing! And our efforts on behalf of the industry continue. My colleague, Mark Anderson, has been working tirelessly alongside the team from Cloakroom to continue to push, push, push on Congress to fulfill its commitment to the mobile amusement industry and America’s agricultural fairs to ensure continued access to a legal, reliable guest worker program. The challenges remain — both long and short term — to get the legislative changes we need in place. We couldn’t do it without the continued support from all of you who have given of your time and resources to fight this good fight. In May, I had the opportunity to
participate in a panel discussion moderated by Bob Johnson on animal issues at the Florida Federation of Fairs meeting in St. Augustine. The session was incredibly well attended. Other panelists included animal expert and trainer Heidi Herriott and Bearadise Ranch/Welde Bears owner Monica Welde, who shared power point presentations on techniques for handling animal rights activists who seek to disrupt fair activities by targeting sponsors and local lawmakers. FFF’s attorney Lance Fuchs gave a particularly insightful and informative overview of how Florida state law can be used to help local fairs defend themselves against activist-sponsored, local legislative initiatives.
The session was not only informative, but sparked a lively question and answer session where others shared their experiences and successful efforts to counter the negative impact of these activists. We learned that even the racing pig’s attraction comes under fire by animal extremists! Everyone left the session knowing that more needs to be done to help protect and defend not only the exotic animal attractions, but the agriculture exhibits as well, which we all know are next on the activist agenda. I will be working with both the OABA and the IAFE to lend my expertise. Here’s to a safe and successful summer season! H
Use OABA Twitter to follow the H-2B Workforce Coalition at @H2BWorkforce
IowaStateFair The IOWA STATE FAIR is seeking written proposals for providing the following components for an independently owned and operated midway amusement area for the Iowa State Fair, August 10-20, 2017 (all components must be wholly owned by the applicant; subcontracted proposals will not be considered). Elements will include: Spectacular, major, standard and children’s rides Games of skill Support equipment & services: Electrical generation and distribution, safety inspection and loss control, ticket sales booths, staffing and other guest services/comforts Proposals should include owner’s contact information, elements provided and pictures if available. For more information: www.iowastatefair.org/midwayrfp
MIKE NYE | CONCESSIONS AND EXHIBITS DIRECTOR | P.O. BOX 57130 | DESMOINES, IOWA 50317 P 515.262.3111 EXT. 205
Request For Proposals 24
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ShowTime
Outdoor Amusement Business Assn. 1035 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 1045A Winter Park, FL 32792
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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #1 MANASOTA FL
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