November 2014

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November 2014

In This Issue:

H IAFE/OABA/SLA Key Events in Las Vegas H Radio Broadcaster Andrew McCrea to be Keynote Speaker at IAFE convention sponsored by the OABA H State Fair Update H The Significance of State and County Fairs to the Agricultural Community

Paris & Bally’s Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

IAFE Annual Convention & Trade Show December 7 – December 11, 2014



Contents The Official Publication of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association

November 2014

Features

ASSOCIATION 4 FROM THE OABA CHAIR

IAFE/OABA/SLA Key Events in Las Vegas Radio Broadcaster Andrew McCrea to be Keynote Speaker at IAFE State Fair Update The Significance of State and County Fairs to the Agricultural Community

My Fall Finale

11 11 12 13

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS 26 DOT REGULATORY NEWS 28 ARNOLD SAFETY CONSULTING

6 ASSOCIATION BUZZ

70-Hour Rule

WOW… What a Season!

CIRCUS MEMBERS 30 FROM THE CENTER RING

8 ON THE EARIE Tom Powell reports on the industry’s shows, fairs, colorful show folks and amusing events.

Rodney Huey follows circuses around the country.

32 CAPITOL UPDATE

14, 18 PHOTO GALLERY The OABA catches members in action.

Joan Galvin, Government Relations Specialist

14, 22 SERVICES, BENEFITS & PROGRAMS

33 AS THE WHEEL TURNS

Jammin’ Jamborees and Contribution Fund Drawing Winners

Facebook www.facebook.com/oabainfo

Who, what and where are people making news? Here’s the scoop.

Twitter @oabainfo

Read with Smartphone Bar Code Scanner

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 DESIGN Avic-Versi Creative Jen Burge H 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

My Fall Finale Chris Lopez

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s of this month, only a few fairs in Georgia, helping Scott Fernandez, owner of E.K. Fernandez Shows, Florida and Kentucky remain in the early part of for a few days. November as many of you park your equipment Our last visit was in Little Rock, Arkansas at the at your winter quarters by now. Arkansas State Fair. OABA Trustee Don Deggeller and Our company, Ray Cammack Shows, is his wife Cathy, along with their son and finishing up our 2014 season at the daughter, Andy (OABA Director) and Arizona State Fair as I write this Heidi, with their spouses, Jamie and I know all of you are and Cliff, showed us a wonlooking forward to spendderful midway and state ing a wonderful and fair. This great state blessed Thanksgiving fair is managed by with your families seasoned CFE Ralph and friends. Our Shoptaw, a member family has much and former presiI am looking forward to greeting many OABA to be thankful dent of the Midwest members at the upcoming IAAPA EXPO in Orlando and for, especially the Fairs Association. hosting our Board of Directors at their fall meeting. generation of family I am looking that preceded us in forward to greeting this business and many OABA memgave us this wonderful bers at the upcomopportunity to entertain ing IAAPA EXPO in millions of guests at fairs, Orlando and hosting our festivals and expositions. Board of Directors at their My summer OABA tour fall meeting. We have much with my wife, Jody, concluded last to discuss on the H-2B front, our month after visiting the biggest fair of annual audit report for fiscal year 2014, them all, the State Fair of Texas, Dallas, manand updates on ASTM and NLRB activities, since aged by Rusty Fitzgerald. OABA First Vice Chair Michael our last board meeting I hosted in Phoenix in the spring. Wood operates with six rides on this independent midway Once again, a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving with famfair. I saw many OABA members including Bruce Perelman, ily and friends… as we have much to be thankful for in the Mary Talley and Patrick Sheridan. Michael was in Hawaii outdoor amusement business. H

Even after 70 years, we still get a rush from helping our customers through the ups and downs of the amusement business. Haas & Wilkerson offers the most comprehensive and cost-effective specialty programs available to operations like yours. Perhaps that’s why so many clients want us by their side year after year. To find out more, call us today. 800.821.7703 • www.hwins.com Independent agent representing ACE Westchester Specialty Group Programs Division. Most insurance products are underwritten by insurers within the ACE Group of Insurance Companies.

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H OABA ShowTime Magazine | NOVEMBER 2014


CALENDAR December 7 – 11 IAFE 124th Annual Convention & Trade Show Paris Hotel Las Vegas, NV

December 7 – 10 SLA Exhibitor’s Lounge Paris Hotel Las Vegas, NV

December 12 – 14 Association of Iowa Fairs Annual Convention Airport Holiday Inn Des Moines, IA

NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

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ASSOCIATION H ASSOCIATION BUZZ

WOW... What a Season! Bob Johnson, OABA President

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o earthquakes, major flooding, tornados or hurriis broadcast nationally. McCrea continues canes came in way of our fairs, festivals and comto manage and work on his family’s 3,500munity events this past season, marking the 2014 acre ranch in northwest Missouri, where he season as one of the best! was born and raised. He checks cattle on The manufacturers and suppliers are looking forward to horseback and tracks down news stories on seeing many of you at both the IAAPA EXPO in Orlando midhis cell phone while operating a combine. November and the SLA Exhibitors’ Lounge in Las Vegas the McCrea serves on local community boards, second week of December. OABA’s exhibit booth at the IAAPA his school board, and is a frequent lay EXPO is Booth #3019. Please stop by and see Tom Powell, Dee speaker at many churches. Dee Alford and Brenda Ruiz, plus Again this year, the OABA is many of our board members who providing two educational seslike to visit. sions. The first is on Tuesday, This year, OABA is sponsoring A special thanks to Allied December 9, starting at 11:15 keynote speaker Andrew McCrea, radio Specialty Insurance for helping AM – “How Can Our Boots on broadcaster at the General Session on to sponsor, along with IAAPA, the Ground Help the Carnival Wednesday evening’s cocktail reIndustry Survive Into the Wednesday, December 10. ception at the convention center. Future?” The second is on Tickets are required and space Wednesday, December 10, startis limited. Please get your tickets when your register for the ing at 3:15 PM – “Things You Always Wanted to Know But IAAPA trade show and convention. Were Afraid to Ask.” OABA board members, fair executives Our December issue of ShowTime may not reach you in time and the OABA lobbyists will be panelists at these sessions. for the IAFE convention and trade show in Las Vegas, “Seeding This year, the OABA/SLA luncheon on Wednesday has been Change.” Be sure to go to www.fairsandexpos.com for more cancelled and the OABA’s awards for outstanding audit achieveinformation and to register in advance for this event at both ment for those requesting Quality Assessment Audits, carnithe Paris and Bally’s Hotels. val and concessionaire recognition in the OABA’s Circle of This year, OABA is sponsoring keynote speaker Andrew Excellence will be held during the IAFE Awards Ceremony on McCrea, radio broadcaster at the General Session on Wednesday afternoon from 5 to 7 PM, followed by refreshments. Wednesday, December 10. As our Chairman Chris Lopez has done, from the OABA staff Since 1996, McCrea has travelled the world to produce to your family, a very Happy Thanksgiving as we all have “American Countryside,” an award-winning radio program that much to be thankful for in 2014. H

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ASSOCIATION H ON THE EARIE

On The Earie Tom Powell, OABA News Ambassador

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hristine and I have cut back on our travel plans the last few years, limiting most of our trips to short ones by automobile, but, occasionally, we’ll fly to such far off places as Minneapolis-St. Paul for the state fair, and, of course, Las Vegas, for the combined conventions of the IAFE, Showmen’s League of America and OABA. That means I rely mostly on phone calls to receive my information, and it always puzzles me by the way some fair managers of both small and large events, and carnival owners of big, small, and intermediate-sized shows don’t return calls. I’m not really complaining, since most of them do. For the most part, if I haven’t reported on a fair that I should have, it’s because nobody returned my call. Then there are a lot of guys like Jerry Hammer and Jim Sinclair at the Minnesota State Fair and Rick Frenette and Adam Heffron of the Wisconsin State Fair, who come through every time. Here’s a sample of information sent to me by Sinclair, the deputy manager at St. Paul. He said there were 30 rides and shows on the Midway, 31 on the Kidway, listing the names of the operators and what they brought in. The ride gross was $3,683,411.35, up $768,813.32, or 26.4 percent. The game gross was $2,712,449.48, up $434,683.96, or 19.1 percent. Hammer, the fair’s general manager, had previously informed me that the food gross was in excess of $30 million, not counting beer, which he conservatively estimated to be at least another $7 million. Sinclair pointed out that the Minnesota State Fair does not offer Pay-One-Price unlimited ride wristband promotions, but discounts the number of tickets taken at rides and games during promotion periods. The top 15 rides on the independent midway were the Crazy Mouse Spinning Roller Coaster of Steve Vander Vorste’s SJ Entertainment, and in the games department, Candy Anderson had No. 1, with a Bottle Up, No. 2, with Goblets, and No. 4, with Goblets.

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Following Vander Vorste, in order, were the Sky Flyer, from Reithoffer Shows; Gondola, Kyle Brady’s Playworld Unlimited; Hurricane, Anita and Nick Pelino’s Showtime Rides; Starship 3000, Kyle Wisdom’s Laser Fair; Techno Fair, Michael Wood’s Wood Entertainment; Raiders, Rose’s Rides, owned by Rose Barton; Rock It, Dennis Demas of State Fair Services; Stinger, Rick Reithoffer of Reithoffer Shows; Arabian Daze, Wayne and Guy McDaniel’s Fun Attractions; Puppy Express, Maurice and Doug Haworth’s Prime Pacific; Magnum, Michael Wood; Wave Swinger, Bobby Myers of Myers International Midways; Alpine Bobs, Blake and Katrine McDonagh’s Blake’s Concessions, and Kite Flyer, Patrick Sheridan’s Alamo Amusements. In the games department, Cassata Concessions, represented by OABA Director Tony Cassata and Jack D. Cook, came in second with a Whopper Water Race, fifth, with Rising Waters Water Race, 12th, Top Glo Water Race, and 15th, Break-A-Plate. Michael Winchester and Tommy LaMotta’s Diversified Amusements, was sixth with a Star Dart, Jeff Bossman’s, JB Concessions, seventh, with a Ring-A-Bottle. Dennis Bossman’s Midwest Concessions was eighth with a Shoot Out the Star, and Gary Oren Concessions was ninth, with a Fish-ARama, 10th, with Long Range Basketball, and 14th, with Long Range Basketball. No. 13 was a Gun Ball from Kimberly Oren’s Kimo’s Concessions. Coming in 11th was a Skeeball from John L. and Darleyne Magel of Magel Concessions, and 15th was a Break-A-Plate, booked by Casey Trejo of Trejo Concessions. I thank Sinclair and Hammer for all the information. It’s always fun to tie in the Minnesota trip with a visit to my son, Tommy, a nurse practitioner, who graduated from Vanderbilt and works there. The parking pass Hammer provides is most beneficial. Ronnie Netterfield of Netterfield Concessions always gets me a motorized vehicle. Otherwise, I doubt I would have

been able to walk the four and a half miles that Tommy and Christine chalked up. We relaxed a while at the Netterfield Food Court, where Kim Netterfield told me that next year’s Miami-Dade County Fair, will be held March 12–April 5. I talked to Bill Lordy of the Elephant Ear Bakery, always one of the top grossers there, who said he likes the idea of expanding the number of dates. While I was watching baseball and football on TV recently, Lordy called to remind me that California Chrome, winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Stakes, was running in the Pennsylvania Derby that day at Bensalem Park near Philadelphia. I actually turned to watch the race which was won by a horse named Bayern. When we used to go to Oktoberfest in Munich Germany, one of the top rides there was a Bayern Kurve. Lordy also called me out for not listing Dapper Dan, a clown, when I mentioned the names of several of the acts at this year’s Great Allentown Fair. I checked on him and came up with Dapper Dan Bonner, who was to turn 91 on Sept. 9. This was his 37th year as the official clown at Allentown, after being hired by the late Ed Charles, who along with the late Martin Ritter, ran the Allentown Fair until both were into their 90s. It must be the water. Dapper Dan was quoted in a newspaper article as saying that being a clown is a vitamin pill to restore youthfulness, and medicine for a sick and depressed world. I’m already one of his biggest fans. When I visited always ebullient Bob Weiss at his Campfire Grille at the Minnesota State Fair, he was super busy, as usual, but extremely cordial, as he always is. Working as a manager for him is Tim Tshida, a former major league umpire, who shares a friendship with one of my pals, umpire Country Joe West. Weiss said he works 29 different events at the fairgrounds each year. They include parties, auto shows, photo shows, weddings, and even memorial services. “Anything that is Continued on Page 10


Bob (Giggles) Weiss, whose Campfire Grille hosts 29 events annually on the grounds of the Minnesota State Fair, is flanked by his daughters, Emily Schapen, 21, left, and Allie Weiss, 21.

Dennis and Suzi Fraleigh of F&W Concessions were selling their London broil steak sandwiches at the Minnesota State Fair before moving to the Eastern States Exposition.

With Netterfield Concessions at the Minnesota State Fair, from left, are Rafael Roa, Abel Lazaro, Jose (Pollo) Hernandez, Ronnie Netterfield, Erasmo Hernandez, Linos Hernandez and Kim Netterfield.

From left, taking a break behind the Mouth Trap Cheese Curds indoor booth at the Minnesota State Fair, are Janice Lane, Dave Cavallaro, Rob Miller and Christine Powell.

With their Goertz Dairy Kone stand at the Minnesota State Fair, are Paul Anselmo, left, Wayne Gerry and Lisa Goetz.

All Vivonas, with Amusements of America, from left, at the Wilson County Fair, Lebanon, TN, are Marco, Rob, Dominic and Phil.

Michael Wood, left, OABA first vice chair, booked his Safari Train and Daytona at the Minnesota State Fair. Bobby Myers right, booked a Wave Swinger, Monster Truck and Crazy Dance.

Doug Haworth, left, owner of Prime Pacific Entertainment, had his Lady Bug and Puppy Express Roller Coaster booked in St. Paul. With him is Patrick Sheridan, Alamo Amusements, who booked six rides.

Jim Sinclair, left, is deputy general manager of the Minnesota State Fair. With him is Tom Atkins, formerly of Mighty Thomas Carnival, who helps in the electricity department.

Brad Ribar was being assisted by his daughter, Sarah, at their very busy roasted corn stand at the Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul. NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

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ASSOCIATION H ON THE EARIE

On The Earie continued

Look out for our new Concession Catalog to see our full line of new products!

not on wheels,” he said, with a laugh. First on the right as we enter the Minnesota State Fair each time Christine and I attend are stops with Lisa Goetz at Goertz’s Dairy Kone; Spaghetti Eddie Porcelli’s, where I saw his son, Eddie Jr., and John and Sandy Class, at their Flavor Burst ice cream stand. Sandi is the daughter of the late John Libby, who also managed the Minnesota State Fair and later became a vendor. They said a good season was to end after stops at the South Carolina State Fair, Columbia, and Coastal Carolina Fair, Ladson, SC, which was Oct. 30– Nov. 9. Then it starts all over at the Manatee County Fair, Palmetto, FL Jan. 15–25, followed by two other Florida spots, Pasco County Fair, Dade City, Feb. 16–22, and Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City, Feb. 26–March 8. Dennis and Suzi Fraleigh were working hard, selling London broil sandwiches. They were coming off good runs at the Erie County Fair, Hamburg, NY, New York State Fair, Syracuse; Dutchess County Fair, Rhinebeck, Wisconsin State Fair, West Allis, and Woodstock Fair, South Woodstock, CT. Like many at St. Paul, they were then headed to The Big E, West Springfield, MA. Please send news to tomp@oaba.org, or call 615.319.1258. Have all great days. See you in Orlando at the park show, and God Bless! H

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FEATURES H

2014 IAFE Annual Convention December 7-11 – Paris & Bally’s Hotels, Las Vegas

IAFE/OABA/SLA Key Events in Las Vegas Sunday, December 7 6 PM – 8 PM

Wine and Dine and IAFE Foundation Auction Additional Fee – Inquire at the IAFE Registration Desk

Monday, December 8 11 AM – 4 PM

SLA Exhibitors’ Lounge Trade Show Open

4:15 PM – 5 PM

SLA Memorial Service

Tuesday, December 9 8 AM – 9 AM

SLA Meet and Greet

9 AM – 11 AM

SLA Annual Meeting

11 AM – 4 PM

SLA Exhibitors’ Lounge Trade Show Open

11:15 AM – 12:30 PM How Can Our Boots on the Ground Help the Carnival Industry Survive Into the Future? (Presented by OABA) 5:30 PM – 6 PM

IAFE Associates Board Selection Credentialing Meeting (All OABA board members who are IAFE members should attend)

6:30 PM

SLA Cocktail Party

7:30 PM – 11 PM

SLA President Dale Merriam’s Banquet & Ball

Wednesday, December 10 9:15 AM – 11 AM

General Session Presentation of Institute of Fair Management Scholarships & Graduates OABA-sponsored Keynote Speaker – Andrew McCrea

3:15 – 4:30 PM Things You Always Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask (Presented by OABA) 5:00 – 7:00 PM IAFE Awards and Reception OABA Circle of Excellence Awards presentation Thursday, December 11 8:30 AM – 9 AM IAFE Continental Breakfast 9 AM – 9:45 AM

IAFE Business Session

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM

Closing Keynote Speaker – Joel Zeff

Radio Broadcaster Andrew McCrea to be Keynote Speaker at IAFE Convention Sponsored by OABA

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ndrew McCrea will be the keynote speaker for the Wednesday, December 10 general session at the IAFE Convention, to be held December 7–11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since 1996, McCrea has travelled the world to produce “American Countryside,” an award-winning radio program that is broadcast nationally. During that time, he has interviewed Emmy and Grammy winners, all-star athletes, Iditarod sled dog mushers, and the world rooster crowing champion, among others. He has travelled to the launch pads at Cape Canaveral and chronicled the plight of Central American coffee farmers. McCrea can be heard on the radio, seen on RFD-TV, and read in Farm Journal magazine. His work has earned him five New Holland Oscar in Agriculture Awards.

He is the author of four books including Ippy award-winning “American Countryside: Where Does Lost Luggage Go?” McCrea continues to manage and work on his family’s 3,500acre ranch in northwest Missouri, where he was born and raised. He checks cattle on horseback and tracks down news stories on his cell phone while operating a combine. McCrea serves on local community boards, his school board, and is a frequent lay speaker at many churches. He is a past state and national FFA officer. McCrea believes in building strong communities. He is the past chair of the Heartland Foundation, a group that promotes the “healthy communities” concept of raising the quality of life in rural and urban communities. OABA Chairman Chris Lopez with introduce this keynote speaker at Wednesday morning’s IAFE General Session. H NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

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H FEATURES

STATE FAIRUpdate

grounds, which is the largest, single-pour concrete dome stadium in the country. The vendors in the SunDome had a good year, selling everything from beds to hot tubs, hand-made candies to clothing items and cleaning supplies. Popular food items included elephant ears, barbecue beef sandwiches, glazed donut cheese burgers and a variety of different deep-fried items including cheese curds, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pickles, and a variety of candy bars.

by OABA Director Greg Stewart, CEO, Central Washington State Fair

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ith a history as nearly old as the state itself, the Central Washington State Fair in Yakima, Washington has become one of the finest agricultural fairs in the country. As the original State Fair of Washington, the ten-day fair is now the largest family entertainment event in all of Eastern Washington, attracting over 300,000 people in late September. Started back in 1892, the fair has a deep heritage in showcasing the agricultural products of the fertile Central Washington region. The 120-acre fairgrounds, now known as State Fair Park, is one of the most beautiful and picturesque in all of the Northwest, and every year visitors from around the country comment on the unique beauty of the grounds. With acres and acres of grass and trees, the park-like grounds is the perfect venue for a fair. And, as it has been for over 120 years, the fruits, vegetables and livestock grown in the region are all on display during our fair, creating quite an impressive group of exhibits in the beautifully renovated historic buildings and 14 livestock barns. But there is more to the fair than just the agricultural displays. Every year we have nearly 20 acres of midway rides and games, and this year over 70 different food vendors were part of our fair, presenting traditional fare, along with some unique edibles. Butler Amusements is our rides and game contractor and over the past 20 years they have been a very valuable partner to our fair. They have been great in working with our dates in late September and are always working with us on special gate promotions that bring more patrons to the fair. We especially appreciate Butler’s desire to keep our midway attractions fresh and attractive. This year they brought close to 40 of the most modern, safest rides in the industry to our fair, including a new super ride called the Freak Out. It and all the Butler rides were extremely popular with our thrill-seeking guests. In fact, this year our entire carnival area was especially attractive. We received many compliments on the layout of the area and on the cleanliness of the carnival. We pride ourselves in having one of the most attractive and clean fairgrounds anywhere. Butler does an incredible job and is an important part of helping us reach that goal. Another important part of our annual fair is presenting a variety of different kinds of foods and items for sale. Our commercial exhibits and food concessions manager Judy Buermann does an outstanding job of recruiting and working with all the vendors during the fair. At our 2014 fair, which ended on September 28, we had over 300 commercial vendors selling items. Some 140 of those vendors were located in the Yakima Valley SunDome on our

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Every year many of the vendors, plus our security and maintenance crews, are supplied by a fairly reliable local work force. But Butler Amusements has taken advantage of the H-2 workforce programs. Mick Brajevich, president of Butler Amusements, told me that the program has been invaluable for his operations and said that the workers he gets through the program are good, dependable employees and he doesn’t know where they might be without the guest worker program. Living here in an agricultural region, many of our area growers also depend on the federal program in order to raise and pick their fruits and vegetables and get them to market. Our board of directors, some of whom are involved in the agricultural industry, realize the ultimate value of the federal guest worker program and as an entity we continue to lobby our state representatives and senators on the value of the program.

As mentioned above, our 2014 fair has just concluded another successful ten-day run. While we did have a couple days of rainy weather mid-week, we had really nice weather on our opening and closing weekends and that helped us reach one of the best attendance years in the past decade. Our attendance total this year was 315,107. Someone mentioned to me during our fair that with all of the other things going on in our world, it is really nice to have a place where people can bring their families that promote fun and happiness. That’s what we want our fair to be and we are glad people think of us that way. H


FEATURES H

Agricultural Community

The Significance of State and County Fairs to the

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very year, around mid-summer, Americans start to see advertisements for their annual fair and fall festivals — a long-held tradition in Missouri and nationwide. People return home, high school class reunions are scheduled, children look forward to carnival rides, and family gatherings are timed around our state and county fairs — which often serve as the social events of the year for many rural communities. These events not only bring together families and neighbors, but they spur economic opportunities for communities across America, and are critical to the agriculture industry. State and county fairs in Missouri and nationwide give farm families a chance to compete for ribbons and recognition, while Americans come together to share the importance of the agriculture industry as a whole. There’s no doubt the American farmer is the best in the world at producing quality products in the global marketplace, and farm families in Missouri and nationwide work hard every day to feed the country and the world. Agriculture is our number one industry in Missouri, and it’s directly responsible for roughly 16 percent of the state’s workforce. Our state has more than 100,000 individual farms – the second highest number of farms of any state in the nation. And like in many states, the annual state fair plays an important role in keeping agriculture a major industry in Missouri. The 11-day long Missouri State Fair is the largest agricultural event in Missouri, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. From the famous mule show, to the swine pavilion, the cattle barns, and the commodity groups, and vegetable exhibits, the Missouri State Fair is known worldwide for its highly-skilled agriculture exhibitors and time-honored events. In 2013, the Missouri State Fair won first place for its overall program for competitive agriculture exhibitors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Convention. In Missouri and across America, state and county fairs allow farm families to participate in healthy competition with their neighbors, which keeps the agriculture industry flourishing in communities around the country. I’m proud to be the “Milking Champion” for so many years at my fair, the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield, that I lost my amateur status! Many competitions and exhibits at the fair highlight the increasing technology used on today’s farms, as the agriculture industry touches the lives of every American, in every community, in every state. Fairs also serve as a great teaching and training forum for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H students decide what animal they want

By Senator Roy Blunt (MO)

to show, and students are responsible for the daily care of their animal, which includes feeding, grooming, and practicing how to show them. Through competing for recognition and prizes in local fairs, young people learn how to safely work in this industry and develop the critical skills to become future leaders in agriculture. Families also have the opportunity to show the produce from their farming operation. There are numerous competitive classes from the traditional crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat, to horticulture plants, garden produce, and flowers. Participants can compete in baking products such as cakes and pies, or canning jellies and jams. Many of these practices date back to the early 1900s and are still carried on today in rural America. All of these events serve as essential opportunities for the agriculture industry, local communities, and state economies to flourish. In Missouri and across America, the fair continues to serve as an important economic driver — in part thanks to the skilled and dedicated farm families, vendors, ride operators, and other seasonal employees who help boost revenue and fundraising to make local and state fairs a success. Annual fairs and fall festivals not only bring us rides, amusements, friendly competition, and fun memories — they help unite us as communities, Missourians, and Americans. H

Senator Roy Blunt Building on a background as a public servant, university president, and teacher, United States Senator Roy Blunt was elected by the people of Missouri to the United States Senate in 2010. Senator Blunt serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee; the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; the Senate Armed Services Committee; and the Senate Rules Committee. Blunt is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and serves as a member of the Senate Republican Whip Team. From 1996-2008, the people of Southwest Missouri overwhelmingly elected Blunt seven times to the U.S. House of Representatives. Blunt was elected by his colleagues to serve as House Majority Whip and Republican Whip three times, and he became the Majority Whip earlier in his career than any Member of Congress in eight decades. Before serving in Congress, he was a history teacher, a county official, and in 1984 became the first Republican elected as Missouri’s Secretary of State in more than 50 years. Senator Blunt also served four years as the president of his alma mater, Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. The Senator is married to Abigail Blunt and has four children and six grandchildren. NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

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ASSOCIATION H SERVICES, BENEFITS & PROGRAMS

Photo Gallery OABA at the Clay County Fair – Spencer, IA

Jammin’ Jamborees PROGRAM

2014 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.

2014 Jammin’ Jamboree Totals

NAME/All Star Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . 23,911 West Coast Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,525 Rosedale Attractions & Shows . . . . . . . . . . 16,218 NAME/Mid America Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,610 Butler Amusements - Lance’s Unit . . . . . . . 10,176 Pictured in rear are Mike Featherston, Jr. and OABA Trustee Mike Featherston with, front, Richard Hanson, Phil Hurst and Jeremy Parsons. The former fair manager was visiting new management and carnival operator at the greater Clay County Fair.

OABA Visits the East Texas State Fair – Tyler, TX

T. J. Schmidt & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,187 A Fantasy Amusement Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,145 Twentieth Century Rides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,139 Thomas Carnival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,020 Skerbeck Bros. Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,638 Butler Amusements - Mick’s Unit . . . . . . . . . 5,000 PBJ Happee Days Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,000 TOTAL

$131,569

2014 OABA Jammin’ Jamboree Schedule

Twentieth Century Rides, Brownsville, TX . . . . . . . . March 5 PBJ Happee Days Shows, Marion, AR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 6 Skerbeck Bros., Flushing, MI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 17 Butler Amusements – Lance’s Unit, Sacramento, CA . . . July 14 A Fantasy Amusement Co., St. Charles, IL . . . . . . . . . July 15 OABA First Vice Chair Michael Wood with Jeff Blomsness, fair GM John Sykes, Bob Johnson, and Tom Thebault, NAME/Astro Amusements.

West Coast Amusements, Red Deer, AB, Canada . . . . July 15 Butler Amusements – Mick’s Unit, Turlock, CA . . . . . . July 16 West Coast Amusements, Vermilion, AB, Canada . . . July 23 NAME/All Star Amusements, Louisville, KY . . . . . . . Aug. 19 T. J. Schmidt & Co., Southgate, MI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 27 Rosedale Attractions & Shows, Upper Marlboro, MD . . . . Sept. 3 NAME/Mid America Shows, Centreville, MI . . . . . . . Sept. 17 Thomas Carnival, Ft. Smith, AR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 21 NAME/Astro Amusements, Tyler, TX . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 25 Powers Great American Midways, Goldsboro, NC . . . . Oct. 1 Reithoffer Shows – Orange Unit, Shelby, NC . . . . . . . . Oct. 1 GoldStar Amusements, DeRidder, LA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 5 Crabtree Amusements, Waco, TX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 10 Belle City Amusements, Gainesville, FL . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 22 Reithoffer Shows – Blue Unit, Pensacola, FL . . . . . . . . Oct. 22

Shawn McKinney, John Sykes, Pat Repp and Tom Thebault.

14

H OABA ShowTime Magazine | NOVEMBER 2014

Mitchell Bros. & Sons, Baton Rouge, LA . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 29


Thomas Carnival – Ft. Smith, Arkansas Thomas Carnival’s OABA-themed side show Jamboree was held in Ft. Smith.

Jon Patton Hurley, center, with his OABA glow hat, with Steve Pegg and Mike Hanschen.

Brandon Petree with one of the very special auction items – a reprint of the 50th anniversary 1977, recreated by Andrew Hanschen.

Dave Winkey and Randy Muller tending the bar as they have for many years. Joseph Searles with his OABA jacket and glow hat.

Joe Sutton and his wife, Chris, with a Sue Nichols painting.

The live auction guys – Chris Atkins and Steve Pegg.

Pictured in front of a side show banner are, from left, Jade Hurley, Jennifer Hurley and Dianna Winkey. Dianna did the decorations for the side show Jamboree.

They loved the dunk tank!

Allen Winkey, right, “The Great Houdini,” and his assistant Tash Wagner.

Thanks to Tyler Counts, “Mr. Dunk Tank!”

Paul Atkins was the highest bidder for this beautiful gas grill.

The Hanschen family enjoying the barbeque dinner, from left, Mike, dad John and mom Carolyn. NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

15


ASSOCIATION H SERVICES, BENEFITS & PROGRAMS

Jammin’ Jamborees continued NAME/Astro Amusements – East Texas State Fair, Tyler, TX

Pat Repp, NAME, visits with John Sykes, president of the East Texas State Fair. OABA says thanks for your hospitality, John!

Running the refreshment center, from left, Greg Graves, Tricia Taylor and James Smith.

Running the Break-ABalloon for a five buck prize inside is Walter Taylor.

Laura Cummings loves her OABA 2014 tour jacket. She works games for Greg Striowski, Sr.

16

H OABA ShowTime Magazine | NOVEMBER 2014

Sporting their new OABA caps are Jim Holtz and Joe Henderson.

Leonard Games, ready to deliver a pie.

The live auction guys – Jayson Wagner and Pat Repp.

The recipient of the pie? Yes, it’s Pat Repp!

Al DeRusha with Bridget Sparks, who helped keep track of the money and auction items.

Wayne Org selling tip boards to Billy Willis and Greg Striowski.


NAME/Mid America Shows – Centreville, MI

Richard Sturr with his OABA straw hat. Conducting the live auction was Ray The Guesser, who does a fantastic job every year! He is assisted by Paul Nachtlieb.

Kevin Engelbrechp and Rudi Cronje are musically-gifted guys who wrote and performed two songs – “Managers Mix-up” and “Life at the Carnival.”

Working hard and having fun were Ray The Guesser and Ann Nowak.

Bryant Rock winner of $500 drawing, Rick Stoughton, Brandon DeWet $100 winner, and Lori Crabtree.

The Huston family – Danny, wife Diane, daughter-in-law Amy and husband Blake, brother Miles. Brandon and Sonya DeWet, who is the office manager.

Game operator Wade Osborn with his OABA jacket.

Norman, Old Tyme Photos, with his Captain Morgan basket loaded with rum glasses and snacks.

Keeping everyone in good spirits were Rick Huston and Alex Crabtree.

Thanks to Diane Huston, Amy Huston and Ann Nowak for creating 60+ gift baskets for the live auction.

Creative baskets with sports memorabilia, ladies make-up and toiletries, food, wine and cheese, rum and spirits!

NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

17


ASSOCIATION H SERVICES, BENEFITS & PROGRAMS

Jammin’ Jamborees continued Rosedale Attractions & Shows – Upper Marlboro, MD What a beautiful cake decorated with family photos of fourth, fifth and sixth generations of the Gaylins.

Attending the Jamboree from the Chesterfield Virginia County Fair were Julia Williams, fair manager and Mike Fajna, fair president.

The straw hat guys, Brian Hurline and Joey Gaylin.

OABA Sr. VP Al DeRusha and OABA Show Rep Michelle Farrow.

Brian Hurline, left, sold many tip boards. He is pictured with Ray Farrow.

From left: Mary and Gregg Hartley with Tom and Barbara Gaylin. Gregg is OABA’s lobbyist in Washington, DC. The Hartleys attended and supported the OABA Jamboree. They had a great time!

Photo Gallery continued Rosedale Attractions & Shows – Upper Marlboro, MD

Rosedale holds a coordinated safety meeting with the fair board and local security prior to opening of all their events.

Tom Gaylin, OABA Second Vice Chair, conducts the safety meeting. Attending the meeting were, from left: Bob Russell, fair first aid; Tom Gaylin; Doris Case, fair first vice president; Lt. Shoemaker, officer in charge; Doug Hansford, fair volunteer; Joe Jones, fair president and Debbie Herbert, fair treasurer.

18

H OABA ShowTime Magazine | NOVEMBER 2014


ASSOCIATION H PHOTO GALLERY

GoldStar Amusements OABA Membership Drive – Clay County Fair, Spencer, IA

They signed up 44 members.

The entire Featherston family was on hand to help sign up members. Seen on the right is Mike Featherston, Jr.

Wanda Folks is the OABA show rep. Thanks Wanda!

The names of those who signed up were entered in a drawing for OABA merchandise. From left: Jerry Bybee, Elutah Van Zyl, Jorge Yirai, Don Sanford, Morgan Knight, Aaron Acord, Tony Copsy and Timmy Bark Hui Zen.

OABA Trustee Mike Featherston explains the benefits of joining the OABA.

The Big E/NAME Circus Fundraiser OABA Trustee Jeff Blomsness and Director Tony Cassata.

Jeff Blomsness, COO NAME, Greg Chiecko, VP of Marketing Big E and OABA President Bob Johnson.

OABA Show Rep Lisa Shuper announcing homecoming king and queen.

Jeff Blomsness and Tony Diaz, NAME Canadian Unit.

NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

19



AMusement today

NEW DIGITAL EDITION exclusively for print subscribers INSIDE:

Garner Holt’s career began in backyard - PAGES 52 & 53

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www.amusementtoday.com

October 2014 | Vol. 18 • Issue 7

WWA anticipating great things for Annual Symposium and Trade Show

New programs and education sessions as well as new products on the trade show floor will greet attendees at the 2014 WWA Symposium and Trade Show, set for Oct. 27-30, at the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas. Coordinators of the show are very excited about the show this year, saying they expect attendance to be high and those attendees will be able to not only participate in the sessions and workshops but also browse the 100,000 plus square feet of trade show space. AT FILE

few years ago.� Ezra said this year saw openings that represent some of the best and most innovative new facilities located in North America, Asia, the Middle East and Australia. And 2015 is shaping up to launch more amazing properties in Europe, Asia and the United States. Highlights of this year’s event are anticipated to be experienced in the show’s extensive education program. There will be a vast offering of water leisure education and training programs, which will, in turn, feature some of the industry’s most experienced operators, developers and suppliers. Even though the event

officially kicks off on Oct. 27, programming actually begins on Oct. 25 with certification courses and lifeguard programs. “Providing the strongest education program possible for waterpark operators is what we promise to our members and this year’s program is one of the best ever,� Root said. “Our illustrious speaker round-up features the biggest brands in the business including: Great Wolf Resorts, Splash Kingdom water park, Six Flags, Disney’s water parks, Zoombezi Bay, Hurricane Alley, Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark, Water World, Grand Lodge Resort Waterpark, just to name a few.�

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“The new water parks and attractions that opened in 2014 offer outstanding examples for success,� he continued. “We are pumped to be headquartered back in the heart of ‘the entertainment capital of the world’ – Las Vegas!� Root said the association is particularly excited about being in town with two new water parks to explore, Cowabunga Bay and Wet’ n’ Wild Las Vegas. Both parks have seen strong responses to their leisure offerings. “Nothing makes operators and suppliers happier than seeing water park attractions live and in-person and hearing answers to operational questions during behind-thescenes tours of new facilities,� Root said. Aleatha Ezra, WWA director of park member development, said they are expecting attendance figures to increase over the last time the association was in Las Vegas in 2012. “This is due in large part to the fact that the industry continues to expand on a global scale,� Ezra said. “In fact, we are seeing parks being built around the world that people only dreamed about a

Specific education program highlights include: •Water Slide Dispatch Operator Training: New this year, this half-day course will highlight key concepts and basic principles for loading and dispatching guests onto water slide attractions. Presented jointly by aquatic safety and risk management experts, Jeff Ellis & Associates, and ride operator training professionals, International Ride Training (IRT), attendees will leave with hands-on techniques and concepts. •Reclaim Those Sponsorship Dollars: Land Mutually Beneficial Sponsorships & Partnerships That Yield Additional Revenue & Build Good Will: In this workshop attendees will find new ways to sell, package and promote what they have to potential national and locallevel sponsors and business partners. •WWA University: Waterpark Maintenance School: Back by popular demand, this fullday water park maintenance workshop features top industry experts presenting topics designed to help water park operators improve their periodic, routine and preventative maintenance programs. There is an abundance of other topics that will be addressed during the sessions including design, development, expansion, maintenance, food and beverage, social media, training and merchandise. Root said in addition to

NEWS

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LAS VEGAS, Nev. — World Waterpark Association (WWA) coordinators of the 2014 WWA Annual Symposium and Trade Show are anticipating big things this year when members and suppliers get together later this month for the event. The 2014 symposium is set for the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, Nev., Oct. 27-30. The trade show will run Oct. 28 and 29. The WWA last hosted its show in Las Vegas in 2012 and the turnout for that event was the association’s strongest since 2006. “Early indications show we are going to have a strong turnout this year, both on the park operator and supplier side,� said Rick Root, WWA president. “In fact, our exhibit hall is essentially sold out. We are employing all of our creative floor planning skills to add more booths to the hallway areas of the Paris Conference Center to meet the demand for booth space.� This year, attendees can expect to browse 100,000 plus square feet of exhibit hall space. The hall is expected to be full of innovative water park related goods and services. “Every WWA convention showcases the newest developments in the industry, from inspiring ideas and best practices to exciting product and attraction innovations,� Root said.

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ASSOCIATION H SERVICES, BENEFITS & PROGRAMS

Contribution Fund 2014 OABA Contribution Fund Program Participants

PROGRAM

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 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

Bates Bros. Amusement Co. Amusement Plus B&D Enterprises Bates Bros. Amusement Co. Bates E.L.I.T.E. Bates Entertainment Campi’s Concessions Creech Concessions D&S Enterprises Dills Concessions Fain Concessions Fowler Concessions

2014 OABA Contribution Fund Ray Cammack Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,895 Powers Great American Midways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,850 Deggeller Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,905 Reithoffer Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,495 Frazier Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,435 Luehrs’ Ideal Rides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,120 Rainbow Valley Rides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,900 NAME/Mid America Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,100 NAME/Astro Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,050 S&S Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,790 NAME/Amusement South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,515 Thomas Carnival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,030 Strates Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,665 Poor Jack Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,500 Rosedale Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,359 NAME/All Star Amusement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,220 Crabtree Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,020 Calkins Midways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Showmen’s League of America-St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Bates Bros. Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 990 Elliott’s Amusements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 820 Doolan Amusement Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 625 A Fantasy Amusement Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 TOTAL $94,274

September Drawing Winners

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

BRONZE

Bronze and Silver Plans: If the carnival contributions exceed $5,000, 2015 OABA dues are waived for carnival.

David Belcher NAME/All Star Amusements $200

Gold Plan

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, 2015 OABA dues are waived for carnival.

22

H OABA ShowTime Magazine | NOVEMBER 2014

Glo Concessions Guinsler/Carousel Concessions Molnar Concessions Panachek Concessions Ross Concessions S&S Entertainment Steven’s Concessions Sutton Entertainment Taylor Concessions Calkins Midways Ava Holtz Julia Holtz Kathy Holtz

Sue Shreve Rosedale Attractions $300

Emma Tobias Frazier Shows $100

SILVER

Charlotte Gudenkauf A Fantasy Amusement Co. $400 Stephanie Ianni Elliott’s Amusements $300

GOLD

Vanesa Lewis Ray Cammack Shows $500 Joseph Lewis Ray Cammack Shows $400

Kincaid Dwyer Chris & Kristin Ray Cammack Atkins Shows Luehrs’ Ideal $300 Rides $200


Chuck & Lynn Waterman Crabtree Amusements Marina Carraza Tracy Duck Karen Gibson Melissa Kibby Lemon Girls Pat Martinez Amber Nemeth Barrett Nemeth Big John Nemeth Brittany Nemeth Danni Nemeth David Nemeth Dolores Nemeth Jackie Nemeth Jackson Nemeth Jacob Nemeth James Nemeth Jennifer Nemeth Johnny Nemeth Madison Nemeth Paul Anthony Nemeth Paul Nemeth Paul’s Concessions Cas Sheridan Patrick Sheridan Philip Sheridan Cheryl Wiggins Deggeller Attractions Candy Anderson Any Name Jewelry Barrett’s East Coast Foods – Dennis Rowland Bobo Concessions Brandon Concessions – Alex Brandon Brandon Concessions – Barry Brandon California Boys CF Variety Beverly Chapman Chen – Name Art Chen – Pictures Cypress Enterprises, Inc. – Jamie & Andy Deggeller DEA Games – Andy & Jamie Deggeller Deggeller Attractions – Candy Anderson Deggeller Foods – Cathy Deggeller Dizon Food FABCO – Jason & Angela Floyd Fairplay Games – Dale & Sharon Negus Jeremy Floyd Gabrielle’s Face Paint Gail’s Face Painting Gone Country Heidi & Wendell – Raiders Higginbottom Chris Hopp – Bull Hot Stuff & Co. – Bonnie Jacobson Mike Huskey

Kat’s Quarters Thomas Lauther Little Richards LT’s Airbrush M&D Rides – MacNeill & Deggeller Rob Myers Anthony Oaks PB3 – Paul Bury Porky’s BBQ R&A Concessions Raiders – Heidi & Wendell Gilcrest Robbeloth Concessions Robert’s Concessions – Paul & Nancy Russell Foods – Jay Russell Smith Sose Males Stuart Confections T&T Concessions Teacups – Heidi & Cliff Elsperman Upsplash Yoyo Caricature Doolan Amusement Company Abigail Doolan Heidi Doolan John Doolan Michael Doolan Sean Doolan Tina Doolan Frazier Shows 3 G’s Blazen Enterprises Broetsky Equipment Broetsky Foods Andrea Broetsky Ashley Broetsky Bryan Broetsky Cash Broetsky Jan Broetsky Jaxon Broetsky Julie Broetsky S.P. Broetsky S.T. Broetsky Steve Broetsky Frazier Shows Garfield Miller Garry Miller Ginny Miller Carlos Ramirez Jaxon Scales Adam Schrum AJ Schrum Betsi Schrum Schrum Enterprises Barb Sloan Larry Sloan Tobias Entertainment Tobias Sky Andrea Tobias Dylan Tobias Emma Tobias George Tobias Georgie Tobias

NAME – All Star Amusements David Belcher Pat Blomsness Beverly Chapman JPB, Inc. Libbertts Concession Christian Lopez Jason Marotta James Mayhew Dave & Tasha Potopas Mike O’Connor Carl Waggoner Rainbow Valley Rides Lorraine Kedrowicz Reithoffer Shows – Blue Unit Tony Albanese Gary Alberry Mike Bronchik Wesley Burnett Wilbur Cooke Doug Dills John Doolan Russ Harrison Ray & Patty Hrudka Jan Husted Michael Lauther Shelby Lauther Jimmy LeBaron Nicole Popovich Beau Pugh Bob Pugh Rick Reithoffer Mario Rojas Dave Rothstein Shelby Royal Louie Rucubo Paul Smith Richie Stafford John Stoorza Robert Vinson Rosedale Attractions Michelle Farrow Barbara Gaylin Jason & Joe Gaylin Tom Gaylin Wayne Hinson Susan Shreve S&S Amusements Andrew & Britt’s Novelty Andrew & Son’s Poster Andrew’s Balloon Andrew’s Blockbuster Andrew’s Cork Gun Andrew’s Fishy Fish Andrew’s Ring Toss Andrew’s Waterrace BAJ’s Bottle Up BAJ’s Cork Gun BAJ’s Duck BAJ’s Poster BAJ’s Ring Toss Britt’s Basketball Britt’s High Striker Britt’s Long Range Butch & Josh Novelty

Butch’s Balloon Butch’s Bebe Gun Butch’s Duck Butch’s Fish Butch’s French Fry Butch’s Fry Butch’s Funnel Cake Butch’s Kiddie High Striker Butch’s Novelty Butch’s Machine Gun Butch’s Skeeball Dennis’s Animal Show Dennis’s Horse Show Elsie’s Lemonade Jimmy’s Break a Bottle Jimmy’s Fish Jimmy’s Fishy Fish Jimmy’s Gun Ball Jimmy’s Long Range Jimmy’s One Ball Jimmy’s Shark Jimmy’s Sponge Bob Jimmy’s Tubs Josh’s Novelty Kenny’s Bozo Larry’s Ball Larry’s Balloon Larry’s Bebe Gun Larry’s Bowler Larry’s Bowling Ball Larry’s Fish Larry’s Floater Larry’s Goldfish Larry’s Machine Gun Larry’s Rollover Larry’s Whack a Mole Mary’s Jewelry Michael’s Cotton Candy Michael’s Family Balloon Michael’s Family Balloon Bust Michael’s Family Bust 3 Michael’s Family Diner Michael’s Family Miniball Michael’s Family Ring Toss Michael’s Family Waterrace Michael’s French Fry Michael’s Funnel Cake Michael’s Ice Cream Michael’s Popcorn Michael’s Ring Toss Paula’s Pretzel Princess Pizza S&S Monkey Maze Tim’s I Got It Vince’s Steak Wilbur’s Sausage Skerbeck Bros. Shows Tim & Cindy Koleff

SILVER

A Fantasy Amusement Co. Charlotte Gudenkauf James Gudenkauf Jim Gudenkauf Jeff Lapin

Denise Ryals Elliott’s Amusements Bob Cook K. Elliott Stephanie Ianni Dianne Williams Luehrs’ Ideal Rides Chris & Kristin Atkins Clair’s Classic Foods – Joe & Jean Clair First Class Attractions – Andy & Lorelei Schoendienst Luehrs’ Ideal Rides, Inc. Oliver C. Atkins, Inc. – Chris & Kristin Atkins Andrew Schoendienst, Jr. Powers Great American Midways Amy Albert Balliet Bear Chen Cisco Corl Dave’s I Got It Debbie Doolan East Coast Air Ruthie Evans Gail Billy Hortsman G. Ianni Steve Ianni Steve Ianni, Jr. Janas Jason Brad Klingenhymer Chris McGuire McKnight Mike Mythic Pam Mike Panchek PGAM Eddy Powers Raymond Willie Ryan Chris Sherbert Teddy Jeremy Thomas Ron Thomas Tracy Thomas Tomlinson Brad Urwin Jill Wells Piers Weston-Burt NAME – Mid America Shows Randy Bertram CISCO Gary & Lori Crabtree Ray DeFrates Nick Douglas Amy Huston Blake Huston Cooper Huston

NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

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CallingAll YoungWriters... 2015 Essay Contest

2015 SCHOL ARSHIP

If you’re between the ages of 10 to 18, this is your opportunity to win a cash prize and show your friends, parents and relatives how well you can write by entering the 2015 Essay Contest, sponsored by the OABA–Duke Smith Memorial Education Fund. The essay contest winners will be announced at the OABA’s Annual Meeting in Tampa in February. Winners will be selected by the Mobile Amusement Industry, Inc. board members. There will be two $250 cash prizes for winning essays — one for the 10-13 age group, and one for the 14-18 age group. In addition, the winners of our essay contest will have their essays published in ShowTime magazine to be read by over 5,000 people in the outdoor amusement industry! So, don’t hesitate and don’t be shy — start putting some thoughts on paper for the topic, “What have you learned from working with foreign guest workers in our industry?” Submit your essay with a maximum of 500 words or less, via e-mail to oaba@oaba.org by December 31. Be sure to provide your name, address and phone number, along with your age, at the top of your essay so we can contact you in the future. H

2015 Memberships Sold Debbie Powers Powers Great American Midways . Niki Skerbeck Skerbeck Bros. Shows . . . . . . . . . Wanda Folks Goldstar Amusements . . . . . . . . . Andrew Schoendienst, Jr. Luehrs’ Ideal Rides . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Burtch T.J. Schmidt & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . Carly Skerbeck Skerbeck Bros. Shows . . . . . . . . . Lisa Shuper NAME/International . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Elsperman Deggeller Attractions . . . . . . . . . . Brad Dallman Bates Bros. Amusement Co. . . . . . Michelle Farrow Rosedale Attractions . . . . . . . . . . Patti Power NAME/Mid America Shows . . . . Darla McMurran West Coast Amusements . . . . . . .

OABA–Duke Smith Memorial Education Fund Statement Of Purpose The Mobile Amusement Industry, Inc. (MAI), through its OABA–Duke Smith Memorial Education Fund, is interested in furthering the educational goals of young people within our industry. The youth of today will be the leaders of tomorrow and will require the education necessary to be competitive in an increasingly complex business environment. Individual and company contributions to the OABA–Duke Smith Memorial Education Fund and the annual generosity of Allied Specialty Insurance Company and Gold Medal Products provide opportunities to eligible applicants for financial assistance with advanced education.

Eligibility Requirements H Each applicant must be a member in good standing of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

70

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

45

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

44

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

39

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

38

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

36

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

27

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

26

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

TOTAL 357

H Each applicant must be a graduating high school

senior or a continuing student at a university, junior college or trade school or be employed in the mobile amusement industry. Each applicant must have plans of attending an accredited educational institution or trade school of their choice for their continued education.

H

Scholarship applications and all supporting documentation must be received by the OABA by December 31, 2014. Students who have applied for and/or received scholarships in the past are eligible to reapply by submitting updated transcripts and autobiography. (The deadline for fall transcripts is January 16.) If you are an OABA member, go to www.oaba.org, Member Area, Member Programs, Education and Industry Training Scholarships, OABA–Duke Smith Memorial Fund Scholarship, then click on Applications for forms. Or call the OABA office at 800.517.6222 for more information. IMPORTANT: Applications and/or supporting documentation received after the deadline WILL NOT be submitted to the scholarship committee for consideration! H NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

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GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS H ARNOLD SAFETY CONSULTING

70-Hour Rule By Eric Arnold, Arnold Safety Consulting

O

ne of the biggest thorns in the side of my trucking customers is DOT’s new 70-hour rule. This rule went into effect on July 1, 2013. DOT is now enforcing it just as seriously as all the other rules, which means they are enforcing it very seriously. It is complicated, and deserves a column of its own because many drivers still don’t understand it. For that matter, numerous police and DOT personnel don’t understand it either, but they won’t be fined tens of thousands of dollars if they get it wrong. Prior to July, 2013, a driver could get a fresh 70-hour clock any time he accumulated a 34 hour consecutive off-duty break.

reset at 7 PM on Friday night October 3, I cannot start my next reset before 7 PM on Friday October 10 for it to count as a reset. What is happening is my over-the-road customers are losing all sorts of hours because they cannot get a fresh 70-hour clock any time a driver takes a 34 hour break. A driver will be off two days, getting a reset, work for four days, then be in a place where he gets hung up delivering. In the past, this would be the ideal time to take a 34-hour reset, so he can get another long run. Now this cannot be done, because the break on the sixth day, even though it might be a day and a half long, does not set the running 70-hour clock back to zero. The driver’s running hours total will

Simple. Easy. Under the new rules, a driver can only reset his running eight-day total to zero if he meets three conditions: 1) The reset must be at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty. 2) The reset must include two periods of 1 AM–5 AM. 3) The start of the reset must be at least 168 hours distant from the start of the last reset.

exceed 70 before he completes his next long run, because that down time did not reset his 70-hour clock back to zero. There are some additional considerations of which OABA members need to be aware with respect to the 70-hour rule. Even though many OABA drivers do not drive that many hours, they still may be in violation of the 70-hour rule. The rule says a driver cannot drive beyond 70 hours on-duty in any consecutive eight-day period unless there is a valid reset in there. DOT considers any type of work to be “on-duty” time. So, if your drivers also operate rides, take tickets, or are otherwise working on the show, DOT considers that on-duty. If you show DOT logs where your drivers log driving time moving the show from Point A to Point B, and then a week of off-duty time in-between, the auditor may start asking what that driver was doing during that off-duty period. Again, if he’s working on the show, that’s on-duty time, and needs to be recorded accordingly. If you have part-time guys who pull your rides on the weekends, you had better know what they’re doing during the week. If they have other jobs, that time needs to be counted as onduty time even though the driver wasn’t working for you. The main point is, operations that would never be in violation of the 70-hour rule in the past, may now be in violation mainly because of the new 168-hour provision. It would be wise to double-check all your drivers’ schedules and logs to make sure they are not suddenly in violation under the new rule. I have one final point on the new 70-hour rule. There was a move afoot in Congress to shut down the new rule. For the moment, this has stalled. However, the industry has not given up and is united in its hatred of this rule. There is a decent chance the rule will eventually be tossed, largely because it’s nonsensical and simply dumb. This will not happen in the near future, though, so for now we are stuck with it. H

The 1 AM–5 AM provision is annoying, but relatively easy to understand. When a driver logs his reset, that reset window must cover two 1 AM–5 AM periods. For example, a driver goes off-duty at 7 PM on Friday night. He returns to duty at 5 AM on Sunday morning. His reset meets the 1 AM–5 AM requirement, and the 34 hour requirement, as he was off-duty for exactly 34 hours, and he was off-duty on Saturday morning, and Sunday morning from 1 AM–5 AM. If the driver had started his reset at noon on Friday, it would not count as a reset until 5 AM on Sunday morning, even though the driver reaches his 34th hour off-duty at 10 PM on Saturday night. This new rule forces drivers to be off-duty two consecutive nights in order to get a fresh 70-hour clock. The 168-hour rule is the one which is causing all trouble, and is roundly hated by nearly all drivers. In order to count as a reset, the start of the break must be 168 hours, or one week, distant from the start of the last break. For example, if I start my

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H OABA ShowTime Magazine | NOVEMBER 2014

Eric Arnold, President of Arnold Safety Consulting, Inc. is a former U.S. Department of Transportation agent, with 24 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.



ASSOCIATION H CIRCUS MEMBERS

From The Center Ring Connecting & Protecting the Circus Industry! Rodney Huey, RAH PR Strategies OABA Circus Media Consultant

N

ovember is a time of giving thanks for all our blessings. In the circus community, it’s also a time of reflection and transitioning into the future. The performers and crews with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s traveling units will start looking forward to their respective season-ending “home runs” this month. Super Circus Heroes closes out its season early in November in Bethlehem,

to Christi Womack of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the site of Gunther Gebel-Williams’ 1969 American debut that served as Ringling’s winter quarters from 1960 to 1993 will finally be taken off life-support. After four-and-a-half years of grueling fund-raising efforts to save the building, the Venice City Council voted to demolish the structure. Alas, another piece of American circus history lost! In an effort to promote youth circus skills year-round, St. PA, and will go on hiatus to revamp for its 2015 production. The Louis’ Circus Harmony is holding unicycling and juggling classLegends edition spends most of November in the Chicago area es through December 7. The classes are available to all comers before ending the year in Indianapolis, IN on December 7. Then five years or older, and are being taught by Richard Kennison it’s back to Florida for a well-deserved mid-itinerary break. at its City Museum facility. But when Built to Amaze finishes its two-year run in Auburn Nik Wallenda is scheduled to attempt another “skywalk” 635 Hills, MI on November 16, the return to Florida will make circus feet above the Chicago River on November 2. Chicago presents history by adding Ellenton to the list of Ringling winter quarters the highwire hero with new challenges —­freezing temperatures sites that include Baraboo, WI, Bridgeport, CT, Sarasota, Venice and driving lake winds. “I’ll definitely have to dress warm, that’s and Tampa, FL. The new 145th edition of The Greatest Show for sure,” he told a newspaper reporter. Nik plans to walk up a On Earth will be the first circus production to rehearse in Feld 15-degree inclined cable between the Marina City west tower Studios at Feld Entertainment’s Worldwide Headquarters. and the Leo Burnett Building. The event will be carried live on The 450,000-sq.ft. facility, which earlier this year rolled out The Discovery Channel at 7:00 pm EST. Marvel Universe Live and Disney on Ice’s Frozen, should proDutch coach and choreographer Vincent Michels, founder vide ample space for building and rehearsing a three-ring circus of the Amsterdam-based Corpus Acrobatic Theatre, has with all its rigging, props and dressing rooms. Feld Entertainment been named winner of the 2014 World Circus Photo Contest also inked a deal to park its mile-long train in nearby Port staged by the Fédération Mondiale du Cirque. His prizeManatee during winter quarters through 2024, with options for winning photo of young contortionist Li Ling attired in zebra five-year extensions. stripes was taken during a World Circus Day event, as were Big Apple Circus’ Metamorphosis enters its second month at all 115 entries from 19 countries. Michel’s photo will grace the Lincoln Center to strong reviews by circusgoers and media alike. cover of the Fédération’s 2015 wall calendar (check it out at BAC runs through January 11, but if you can’t see in person, perhaps www.circusfederation.org). you can catch it in your neighborhood theater. Fathom Events Other winning entries to be featured on monthly pages include and BY Experience (the companies that beam NYC’s Metropolitan two photos by American photographers: Merilyn Barrett’s photo Opera performances into movie theaters) will simulcast a live taken during at a World Clown Association event; and Julie performance of the Big Apple Circus in up to 500 cinema houses Kycia’s snapshot at a mini-circus performance of Circus Fans of in the United States and Canada on November 8. According to BY America Tent 24. Ms. Kycia is also registrar and bursar for the co-president Julie Borchard-Young, if all goes well, a televised BAC upcoming Worldwide Circus Summit 2015. performance could become an annual circus holiday tradition. Four rare historic European circus banners will go on display Universoul opens the month in Philadelphia, then moves November 7 at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in on to Greensboro, NC and closes out this season in Charlotte on Sarasota. The 9-by-9.5-foot banners were not considered “art” when November 23. Cole Bros. Circus’ 130th Anniversary edition is they were painted by Belgian designer Frans de Vos circa 1900, winding its way home toward DeLand, FL from recent Southeastern but are now considered museum-quality classics. The colorful bandates. Both Carson & Barnes and Kelly Miller circuses have ners depict trapeze artists, jugglers, clowns and other performers, returned back to home turf in Oklahoma, and out west, Circus and were restored over a seven-year period by Ringling Museum Vargas plays Phoenix, Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ this month. preservationists. The exhibition runs through March 29. If you’re in Florida on November 8, catch aerialist extraordinaire Retired Carson & Barnes performing Asian elephants Rosie and Dolly Jacobs’ solo performance at the Night of Flight Benefit Opal, previously on loan to the Hope Elephants preserve in Hope, for the Circus Arts Conservatory in the Sailor Circus Arena in ME, have been returned to the Hugo, OK-based Endangered Ark Sarasota. But you had better hurry if you want to glimpse the steel Foundation after the death of Jim Laurita, DVM, who was acskeletal remnants of the former Venice Circus Arena. According cidentally killed in September at the preserve.

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H OABA ShowTime Magazine | NOVEMBER 2014


Those sneaky folks at PETA took advantage of a drop in SeaWorld’s stock (due to bad publicity from Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s documentary Blackfish) to buy shares of the publicly-traded company. PETA recently bought 55 additional shares, bringing its total ownership to 135 shares. The animal rights organization is not trying to profit from SeaWorld shares. Rather, its buying strategy is much more nefarious. “This allows us to attend shareholder meetings and ask questions of executives in front of other shareholders,” explained PETA spokesperson

Lindsay Rajt. Thank goodness most American circuses are privately owned! And finally, a belated birthday wish to Ron Morris, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday at a gala produced by his lovely wife, Arlene, in Sarasota. Ron was a Canadian Circus Producer for many years before getting into his printing business, Spotlight Graphics, in Sarasota. His firm has also produced and donated the American version of International Circus Federation’s annual circus calendar, among other donations. H

2014 Circus Fund The Big “E”/NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,804 Circus Producers Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000 John F. Cuneo, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Have Trunk Will Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Kathleen Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Zoppe Family Circus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Forepaugh-Lubin Tent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 760 Bill Morris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 Alliance of Professional Animal Exhibitors & Owners . . . . . . . . 500 Edward Limbach – in honor of Frank Robie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 National Showmens Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Bari L. & John E. Hart, Jr. – with appreciation to Jan & Bill Biggerstaff for Circus Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Circus Flora Staff & Performers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 OABA Tampa Circus Unit Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 Lisa A. Dufresne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Edward C. Todd – in memory of Bob MacDougall & Pat J. Todd . . . . . . 200 Brian Liddicoat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 George A. Hamid Tent 109, CFA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Welde’s Big Bear Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Zerbini Family Circus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Ryan Henning, Hovey Burgess, Ian Garden Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Avic-Versi Creative, Jen Burge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Charles Bellatti – in memory of D.R. Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Felix Adler-Paul Binder Tent No. 12, CFA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Paul Gutheil – in fond memory of Jim Hamid, Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Allan Kirk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Leonard Aylesworth Ring, Circus Model Builders Central PA . . . 100 Fr. Richard Notter – in honor of Ward Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Stephen A. Partyka – in honor of Wayne McCary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Robert J. Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 James B. Rittle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Serge Coronas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Wayne Scheiner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Robert Faust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Paul Gutheil – in fond memory of Arthur Duchek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Ken Holehouse – in memory of Father Jack Toner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Dan Kroeger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Janeen Wilds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Bill Doty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Misc. Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 TOTAL $18,589

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.

Help the OABA maintain the right of Circuses and USDA licensed animal exhibitors to provide Americans with educational performances of exotic animals.

Contribute a minimum of $25 to the OABA Circus Fund to receive your NEW 2014-2015 Camel Pin Your contribution will be listed in the next issue of the ShowTime magazine. Donations of $50 or more will be listed in ALL issues of the campaign year. Make your check payable to: OABA Circus Fund and send it to: OABA, 1035 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 1045A, Winter Park, FL 32792 Special Thanks to: Ellian Rosaire, Big Cat Habitat Photo of Nomad the Camel taken by: Richard Czina NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

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ASSOCIATION H circus members

Capitol Update By Joan Galvin, OABA Government Relations Consultant

T

he fall remains a busy time for us all. Although Congress has been away, the work continues in Washington as it does at the state level. One disturbing trend we are seeing is increased activity by OSHA, often at the behest of animal activists who are filing complaints and triggering inquiries into animal handling and worker safety. So far, we have been able to assist our members in responding to the inquiries with success, and hope to meet with OSHA in the coming weeks to learn more about the impetus for this new increased activity and to help educate them about industry best practices and the primary role that USDA pays in overseeing animal handling for federal licensed exhibitors. Last month I attended the Florida Fish

and Wildlife commission’s public meeting in Orlando. The FWCC is planning a series of regional workshops between now and March to gather public input on suggested updates to the state’s captive wildlife rules. The FWCC is focusing on four

topics, including licensing, husbandry, caging and administration. The locations of the meetings have been announced, and as soon as the dates are released we will make sure OABA’s Florida exhibitors are made aware so that we can maximize our participation and ensure our voices are heard. We have publicly made our support for the FWCC workshops known and look forward to working with FWCC to improve the process for captive wildlife licensees, especially traveling exhibitors who reside or operate in Florida. And, of course, we continue to work with our partners at Cloakroom Advisors to advance OABA’s efforts on the H-2B seasonal labor front. We look forward to continuing our efforts this fall! H

Celebrating Ron Morris’ 80th Birthday Bash were Alex Johnson, Ron Morris, Joan Galvin and Bob Johnson along with some 100 circus friends and family in Sarasota, FL.

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H OABA ShowTime Magazine | november 2014

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ASSOCIATION H AS THE WHEEL TURNS

Making News...

Happy Birthday to Struppi Struppi Hanneford’s 83rd birthday celebration was held at The Big “E” in September, with Wayne McCary, retired ESE president/CEO and OABA Trustee, honoring the “First Lady of

Birth Announcement

Circus” as the party’s master of ceremony and toastmaster.

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Walt Disney Imagineer Mike Withers Joins AIMS International Board AIMS International is pleased to announce that Michael Withers, Vice President of Ride Engineering at Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, California, has been elected to its board of directors. In making the announcement, board President Roger Berry commented, “Mike brings a wealth of safety knowledge and experience to AIMS and will be a huge asset to the organization as we plan for the future. We are thrilled to have him on board.” In addition to his job responsibilities, Withers is Project Manager for the Disney Global Ride Safety Enhancement Program reporting to the Chief Safety Officer of The Walt Disney Company. As Chairman of the ASTM World Standard Task Force, Mike is responsible for the coordination and development of the new F-2291 Standard Practice for the Design of Amusement Rides and Devices. He served three years on ASTM COTCO and represents ASTM F-24 on the Euro Norm CEN Technical Committee 152 for Fairground and Amusement Park Machinery and Structures – Safety. Mike also serves on the ASTM board of directors. “I have always admired AIMS for its leadership in safety training and certification and I’m honored to be joining the board,” said Withers. “I have tremendous respect for our board members and look forward to working with them.”

SUBMISSION H AS THE WHEEL TURNS Announcements or suggestions can be emailed to oaba@oaba.org

OABA Director Brad Dallman and his wife Michelle, Bates Bros. Amusements, are proud parents of their new baby girl Emerson Jo Bates Dallman. Emerson was born on June 24th. She was very early, born at 30 weeks weighing 2.7 lbs and 15 inches tall. She was in the NICU at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA for 7 weeks. Now she is with mommy, daddy and sister Delaney on the road. During her last checkup she weighed 7.8 lbs and was 19.5 inches tall. H NOVEMBER 2014 | OABA ShowTime Magazine H

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