Associate Member News
AFTER 103 YEARS WADE SHOWS CONTINUES TO EXPAND AND DEVELOP
A brightly lit sign welcoming guests around the country to a Wade Shows’ midway reads “THE GREATEST CARNIVAL IN THE WORLD”.
Working hard to live up to that title, Wade Shows’ constant goal is continuous improvement from year to year. In 1912, Wade Shows was formed by Lee Wade and was dedicated to playing events throughout the state of Michigan. In 1980, the show was
purchased by Frank Zaitshik. Under Frank’s leadership, the Michigan company was expanded nationally, producing many state fairs and larger events. Wade Shows has been the innovator in bringing in an amusement park like setting to some of the biggest events in the United States – raising the standard of excellence year after year! “One of the keys to the successes we have seen over the years has been the close working relationships we have developed with our Fair and Fes-
tival management teams. Working together, developing new and fresh ideas, and constantly updating and upgrading our midway all contribute to our achievements over the past 35 years,” explained Frank. Over the years, Wade Shows has built up their ride selection to an inventory of 125 rides, including four (4) roller coasters. Wade Shows boasts the largest fully portable coaster in the United States, the Comet II, which plays sever- al events throughout the year, thrilling fair and festival goers around the country. Wade Shows, now with three traveling units, begins and ends their travels each year in Florida.
Starting this year off at the South Florida Fair, with the powerful combination of the Fair Manage- ment Team and Wade Shows, the event was a huge success. The Florida State Fair was the next stop on the Wade route where an all time ride per capita spending record was broken. Wade con- tinued on to Pasco County Fair, then on to Orlando for the Central Florida Fair, followed by Okee- chobee County Fair and then Sumter County Fair in Bushnell – all hosting very successful events. Meanwhile, Wade Shows was also playing great events in Texas, such as the San Antonio Live- stock Show and Rodeo and Fiesta San Antonio. In the spring, Wade Shows hits the road moving north and east. Two units head to Michigan for
a spring and summer route of long-time successful community favorites including County fairs. After spending the spring and summer in Michigan, one Wade unit jumps to Missouri for the Ozark Empire Fair, Missouri State Fair, and other great events while another unit heads to the Nebraska State Fair. While busy playing these events, yet another Wade unit starts their summer season with the Delaware State Fair, then on to Pennsylvania. From Pennsylvania, the next move is to the New York State Fair. During our first year there (2014), we broke an all-time ride revenue record as the midway provider. For 2015, the ride per capita spending was consistent with the year before. The Fair is working on a $50 million restoration of the fairgrounds that will result in a very positive impact on customer convenience and amenities. Wade Shows continues the balance of the 2015 season with their State Fair route including, the Oklahoma State Fair, Tulsa State Fair, Alabama
National Fair, North Alabama State Fair, North Carolina State Fair, and the South Mississippi Fair and will finish the year up back in Florida. For the coming year, Wade Shows is planning to implement many more trend and industry setting standards for midway presentation and custom-
er amenities. “Wade Shows provides a high level of skill, dedication and above all, a commitment to customer service excellence,” says Frank Zaitshik. Progress one smile at a time is his motto.
→→→→→→→→→→→→→ Hansen's Spectacular Acrobatic Sensational, one of our new Federation Associate members…. Shane & Alecia Hansen along with their 3 daughters own/produce/and perform Hansen's Spectacular, a one of a kind acrobatic thrill show fea-
turing juggling, extreme hula hoops, Olympic trampoline and aerial acts over 30 feet high! Now they are offering their show to the Florida fairs and festival market, after touring the U.S. for the last 15 years they have finally decided to
start performing in their home state, "the reason we have not been available for Florida's springtime fairs is that we have been performing with a 4 month long indoor touring show during the time of most fairs in Florida, but now we are available and excited to offer our show to everyone" says Shane Hansen. Hansen's Spectacular will leave audiences of all ages breathless!
Agri-Puppets: Another show that Shane & Alecia Hansen created and produce is Agri-Puppets, A fun, family puppet
show that teaches the importance of farming and agriculture, with top of the line puppets that have mov- ing animatronic eyes, eyebrows and ears, to our custom designed farm themed puppet barn and beautiful scenery that is 35 feet wide and 10 feet tall, this is not your typical puppet show, audience interaction, sing-a-longs, and special effects make this show entertaining and educational. A drive around strolling puppet is also part of the show at no extra charge. We hope that one, or both of these shows would be something you would consider adding to your next fair, from our family to yours, we wish you the best and have a great fair season!
Agri-Puppets know how important bees are!
44 FAIRCRACKER-FALL 2015
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