In the May 2008 issue:  

  Time to hit the road! CARNIVAL magazine has put together a comprehensive directory of carnivals doing business in North America. The listing encompasses hundreds of shows, big and small, offering safe fun zones to thrill and entertain. The information provided includes addresses, contact names, phones and fax numbers, e-mail addresses and websites, along with the number of rides and the geographical locations they route. An excellent year ‘round resource!

  A large green snake was seen lurking at the Riverside County Fair and Date Festival – but it was unable to make a strike! Butler Amusements provided the midway at the annual event and brought in several new pieces, including a Wisdom Viper that was sidelined by the State of California.

  Reality shows have breached the carnival world. A recent episode of Wife Swap featured Christine Gillette, Castlerock Shows, trading places with a more structured suburban mom. For two weeks the ladies lived each other’s life and snippets of it were portrayed on the small screen.

  Do you remember the Chance Turbo? Its predecessor was the Caravel, the creation of Jerry Barber. Photos of the Caravel depict its fabrication.

  The North Carolina Department of Labor, which oversees the inspection of midway rides in the state, has inaugurated a partnership program with events where carnivals and rides are set up, to help maintain a safe environment.

  Manufacturer’s Showcase puts the spotlight on bunkhouses for the help with new designs from CAPCO Custom Designs that help make living on the road more like living at home. Also, the musical tunes from Kromer’s antique carousel organ help in putting the fun into any event.

  When Gooding’s Amusement Company celebrated their 50th anniversary, they issued a commemorative booklet that traced the history of that carnival and where it stood at the time, 1948. Floyd Gooding and his carnival still impact the traveling outdoor amusement today.

  There were no spider webs in the winter quarters where Ronnie and R.D, Thomas, who work and book with Powers Great American Midways, trailer-mounted their Spider ride. Also, at the Powers’ winter quarters, the Wave Swinger was dressed up with a new floor.

  Modeler’s Corner offers some scale model creatures that could do double duty as animals found on kiddie and spin rides.

  Down Memory Lane features Lowell, Massachusetts-based Continental Shows at the fair in Chatham, New York, in 1957.

  The History of Train Shows continues with a tornado-wrecked Cetlin & Wilson Shows; the formation of the O.C. Buck-Model Shows train show; and the World of Mirth and its 1953 season.

  The Now Booking for 2008 section provides the opportunity to check out the carnivals and concessions that may be available for booking your event

  Pack Your Bags features a list of a number of state and industry-related meetings, trade shows, and events

  Check out the Carnival Exchange section that lists carnivals that need route help and have booking opportunities for rides and concessions

  Looking to buy, looking to sell, be sure to check out the Classified Ads

  Also included in this issue are regular features: Midway Talk, and Direct From the Lots.