Amusement Warehouse Podcast

Amusement Warehouse Podcast

by Amusement Warehouse

Business History

Season 1

#51 - Dr. Jay Aguilar, Chance Rides

Episode 51 of the Amusement Warehouse Podcast features Dr. Jay Aguilar of Chance Rides. Jay goes over Chance’s history, their entry into the amusement business and expansion and their re-entry into the mobile amusement market.

#50 - Michael Wood, Wood Entertainment

Episode 50 of the Amusement Warehouse Podcast features Michael Wood of Wood Entertainment. Michael has a storied history in the carnival business. He has owned a carnival and operated as an independent ride operator for many years at some of the largest fairs in the US including the State Fair of Texas and Minnesota State Fair. Along with his partner Frank Zaitshik, he also operates The Midway Sky Eye, one of the largest portable wheels in the country. Michael is a safety advocate and has been a leader of many industry trade organizations such as the OABA and NAARSO.

#49 - Kent Yelverton, North Carolina State Fair

Episode 49 of the Amusement Warehouse Podcast features Kent Yelverton, the manager of the North Carolina State Fair. He grew up on a farm but received his degrees and professional experience in Engineering. He worked with the fair when it was under the direction of Wesley Wyatt and upon Wyatt’s retirement, Yelverton took the helm. See how he takes a process approach to the fair and how he tackles management with the mind of an engineer.

#48 - Harry Mason, Brass Ring Amusements

Episode 48 of the Amusement Warehouse Podcast features carnival owner Harry Mason. Harry is the owner of Brass Ring Amusements which is made up of two shows including Midway of Fun in California and Silver State Amusements in Nevada. He started with Butler Amusements after working with them on a fundraiser and grew into a large show owner now on the West Coast.

#47 - Rebecca Clark, Illinois State Fair

Episode 47 of the Amusement Warehouse Podcast features Rebecca Clark, manager of the Illinois State Fair. From a journalism background, she now brings her unique perspective and skills to one of the US’s largest events. Under Rebecca's leadership, in 2024, the Illinois State Fair ranked #24 on CarnivalWarehouse.com's Top 50 Fair Ranking.

#46 - Lee Stevens, IISA Carnival Museum

Episode 46 of the Amusement Warehouse Podcast features carnival industry veteran, Lee Stevens. Lee is the new Executive Director of the IISA Carnival Museum in Gibsonton, Florida. Hear his plans to bring the museum to a wider audience and learn about his illustrious career in the circus business.

#45 - Pete Downs, Waterloo Tent & Tarp

Episode 45 of the Amusement Warehouse Podcast features Pete Downs, President of Waterloo Tent and Tarp, the largest manufacturer of canvas for the amusement industry. Pete’s designs revolutionized the industry and helped make it the entertaining, colorful world it is today.

#44 - The Skerbeck Family

Episode 44 of the Amusement Warehouse Podcast features members of the Skerbeck Family, including Bill and Joe Skerbeck, and their mother Arlene Altenburg. Both families represent two Michigan based carnivals, Skerbeck Family Carnival and Skerbeck Entertainment Group. The Skerbeck family has deep roots in the amusement industry, dating back to 1857 and spanning 7 generations, and is one of the oldest "show families" in the industry.

#43 - Rob Berk, Berk Concession Supplies

Episode 43 of the Amusement Warehouse Podcast features Rob Berk, founder of Berk Concession Supplies. Berk Concession Supplies has changed the way we drink and eat at a fair or event. Replacing boring colorless cups with vibrant, themed alternatives, Berk has made buying a concession more fun for the customer, and more profitable for the concessionaire.

#42 - Jaime Parr, Nebraska State Fair

Episode 42 features Jaime Parr, executive director of the Nebraska State Fair.

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