In loving memory of those who cared to make a difference . .


ALFREDO BETANCOURT 30 Years of Service


Miami-Dade County Youth Fair August 2017


CORDELL “Shorty” CLIFTON 45 Years of Service


Miami-Dade County Youth Fair April 2017


JOHN WAYNE PATTON 6-26-1964—8-11-2017


Born in Arcadia, John was a lifelong resi- dent of DeSoto County. He was past president and lifetime director of the DeSoto County Fair. He was an AG Ap- praiser for 20 years and volunteered many years in the fair’s barn. He is sur- vived by wife Marilyn, two daughters and a son.


SALLY RHODES 1-3-2018


RICHARD PAUL GEORGE SR. 7-30-1940—1-14-2018


Richard, from Riverview, Florida was the owner of George’s Fun Foods and was a member of the Federation. He is survived by his son Richard and loving family.


We ar e r c


Sally Rhodes, 87 of Palm City, FL was born in Philadelphia. She was the Se- walls Point County Election Clerk for 27 years. She was the wife of Blaine Rhodes for 62 years. Sally ran the en- tertainment program at the Martin County Fair for a number of years.


Please help us honor and recognize our friends in the Fair industry who pass


away during the year by sending their names and Fair affiliation to the Federa- tion for inclusion in the Resolutions passed at each year’s Convention and also be included in the next issue of the newsletter. Send to Cheryl Flood at cheryl.flood@floridastatefair.com and lisahinton@floridafairs.org


e c l d tale o a gr ate aus e. I began in the business of entertainment at the age of 16 years old. Balancing high school, college and playing in a Christian Rock Band was a


challenge. But we did it together with several of the members working and playing and studying. Our final year on the road we played over 280 nights in Churches, Fairs, Concerts and many corporate and secular venues. By this time there were wives, children and homes to support. We recorded 13 record albums over the 14 years the Chords traveled, ministered and entertained. But all the hard work, late nights and many


miles were only preparing for what was ahead. Playing in the fairs opened the doors and allowed me to meet many of the folks I helped later with attractions. When the band retired in 1980 I went to work for my agent Mr. Ken Thomas of Capitol Booking Service. Few people in the FL fairs today remem-


ber him but he was very influential in the first showcases that were presented right here at the FL Federation of Fairs. He worked extensively with several of the FL fairs including providing the name entertainment for Pensacola Interstate Fair and The FL Strawberry Festival. Ken taught me the booking business and to, number one, always be open and honest in all dealings whether the news was bad or good. If you


tell it like it is the fair folks are smart enough and reasonable enough to deal with things as they are. It is the surprises and the unknown that are problems and lead to further problems. As many of you know the rest is history and I am privileged to work with some of the finest people in the business including fair managers, artists,


animal trainers and performers of all types. We purchase name stars for many fairs and have over 100 years of combined experience in providing entertainment to many fairs. We can thank state, county, regional and local fairs in every state in the US and every providence in Canada for working with us and using our


attractions or letting us buy their names. Ken Thomas was right. If you always tell the truth, work hard, reach out to everyone that you can, you will be blessed and success will come


naturally and fairly. I am thankful for a great 38 years of providing entertainment to FL fairs, fairs nationally and in Canada. In the business of fairs, we can be part of a greater cause,


I am thankful that we still have a ministry of providing smiles and education to children of all ages and encouragement to families to come out and


support the local fair in their community. I encourage you to get involved in your local fair. Promoting Agriculture, family fun and interaction while being educated. Fairs are the best deal in town for entertainment. But they bring so much more to the community as they bring people together in a healthy way annually. At Capitol International Productions, fair department, we wish everyone a very happy and successful 2018! avi usl an


D d Msem ,Associate of the Year 2013 R et Bobr oso, Csea y Wrd eis usemn ik Sclyul, Dae Sott, M iagc Dvson a , Mlsa Ms l a, Mc 70 l c iii FAIRCRACKER-SPRING 2018


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72