3 minute read
Associate of the Year
E. James Strates Associate of the Year
E. James Strates is no ordinary carnival owner. Born into a world of merry -go-rounds, sideshows, showgirls, and diesel fumes. Jim was thrust into full-time management of the family business at a young age….eventually exceeding industry expectations to attain the distinction of operating one of the largest traveling carnivals in the world.
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Born in Elmira, NY Marine Corp Veteran Married to Phyllis for 50 years Father of Jimmy, Sybil, Jay, Susan, and John Founding member of OABA OABA Hall of Fame-2002 President Rhonda Ward presents Associate of the Year plaque to E. James Strates of Strates Shows
A showman at heart, Strates was never satisfied with the current show but continuously looked for ways of modernizing and improving it. The Strates Shows has brought many innovations to the carnival industry, including cooperative promotions, a centralized ticket system, advance ticket sales, and the FunCard electronic ticketing system.
Although not currently traveling with the show, E. James Strates plays an active role in his company. Just celebrating his 92-birthday, Strates works out of the company’s Orlando offices guiding decisions, providing words of wisdom and when necessary… stepping in to keep the show strongly moving forward into the future as he has been doing for 63 years.
Just a few years difference. Jim Strates looks over the Strates display inside the Erie County Fair Heritage & History Center Midway Milestone - E. James Strates on his 60th year (2019) at the helm of the Strates Shows. Jim Strates was just 29-yearold when he took over the business following the death of his father and show founder James E. Strates on Oct. 11, 1959.
Awards Grants and Scholarships
YPI Community Service Grant Central Florida Fair JackLynn Gore Presented by Jacqueline Stough
President Rhonda Ward Presents Agricultural Award to Stacy Wade Lake County Fair
2022 Scholarships
Thank You: North American Midway Entertainment
At left: Scooter Gregg Korek, N.A.M.E. and Rhonda Ward present Rachel Lough, Carolina Classic Fair with a IAFE Zone 2 Scholarship
Scooter Gregg Korek, N.A.M.E. and Rhonda Ward present Melody Hill, State Fair of Virginia with a IAFE Zone 2 Scholarship
Florida Federation of Fairs Scholarship Crystal Urban, Lake County
Rhonda Ward presents Emily Hall, Central Florida Fair with the YPI Scholarship
Rhonda Ward presents Kasey Finger, Central Florida Fair with a YPI Scholarship.
