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Source: Yourfirstserver.com

The amusement ride operator/attendant has full control on most rides and must be proactive and capable of reacting quickly to situations as they arise.

The safety record of the amusement ride industry has greatly improved as a result of inspections, ride maintenance, safe operations and better ride designs, and ride operators/attendants play an important role in maintaining amusement ride safety.

Most countries have occupational health and safety legislation designed to protect the health and safety of workers and the public. Herein is a discussion of the role that amusement ride operators/attendants play in maintaining the highest possible level of safety on the rides on which they work.

Amusement ride operators/attendants should work safely, get as much training as possible in the safe operation of the equipment they are working with and stay alert to prevent safety hazards.
Amusement ride operators/attendants should not engage in any unsafe activities such as horse-play, showing off, or any unseemly behavior while on the job.

Every amusement ride operator/attendant is responsible for on-the-job safety. They are responsible for their own safety as well as the safety of other employees and that of the general public.

Here are some basic rules for a safe workplace that amusement ride operators/attendants should follow:

• Be sure that you know and obey all safety rules and procedures

• Keep your surroundings neat, clean and free of hazards

• Immediately report hazardous situations that might result in an accident

• Complete the inspection checklists prior to operating the ride

• Develop safe work habits and participate in safety training

In addition, there are a number of workplace hazards for which amusement ride operators/attendants should be on the look-out and attend to at once:

• Anything that can cause someone to trip

• Anything that can cause someone to bump their head

• Anything that can cause someone to get a splinter

• Anything that can cause someone to fall

• Anything that can cause someone to get a cut

Amusement ride operators/attendants must work in accordance with the Health and Safety legislation in affect in their area. They must also follow their employer’s policies and safety procedures. They should also be sure not to work when they are tired. Breaks should be taken away from the ride in order to enable the amusement ride operators/attendants to properly relax so that they may return to work refreshed and rested.

It is of the utmost importance that amusement ride operators/attendants be totally familiar with the rides that they are operating. They should observe how the ride operates, and the motions involved in their operation until they understand them completely.

Every ride has a safety zone, which is the area from which the ride is operated. This safety zone is usually designated by the manufacturer or owner of the ride, and should be clearly defined and fenced off, in such a way as to be easily identified by the riders. The safety zone should also be an area that is easily controlled by the amusement ride operators/attendants. The safety zone is for the personal safety of the amusement ride operators/attendants while the ride is in motion, and should never be left while the ride is in motion, or before it has come to a full stop.

The safety of the amusement ride operators/attendants and that of their riders is equally important. Unsafe riding practices are the major cause of incidents on all types of rides.
Rider responsibility should be encouraged, and the amusement ride operators/attendants can play an important role in this. Safety instructions should be clearly posted at the entrance to the ride and the amusement ride operators/attendants should strictly enforce all of them.

It is especially important to reach out to the parents of young children and to enlist their help and support in promoting safe riding practices and in enforcing all safety instructions.

• Be alert to unsafe conditions that could cause trips or falls on the ride platform or steps

• Be alert to unsafe conditions that could cause injury

• Always check that seat belts or safety restraints are fastened and locked in place before the ride starts

• Be careful not to close the door or restraint on any part of the rider’s body while the riders are getting on or off of the ride

• If there is even a suspicion that a rider is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they should not be allowed them

• Remind riders to follow the posted rules for the ride regarding age, height and/or weight restrictions

• Be sure to alert pregnant women and people with heart conditions to possible risks involved in using the ride

• Remind riders to keep hands, arms, legs and feet inside the ride at all times

• Remind riders to remain seated until the ride comes to a complete stop

If there are any problems with a rider or parent because of ride restrictions or behavior, amusement ride operators/attendants should not operate the ride. They should stop the ride if in motion and only resume operation after the problem has been settled.
Amusement ride operators/attendants should always report all safety-related matters to their immediate supervisor, the insurance company and local safety authorities. They should also update the ride manufacturer and consult with them.

Amusement ride operators/attendants should never leave the ride while it is operating.

Amusement ride operators/attendants should watch the ride and riders at all times while it is operating.
Remembering and following these rules while operating amusement rides will significantly increase the chances of a safe and enjoyable time for everyone, riders and operators/attendants alike, while lessening the prospect of stricter insurance terms and licensing requirements for the amusement ride hirers/operators.

New Shows added this time around are: Modern Midways out of Illinois, D & R Shows out of Ohio, Carnival Americana out of Texas, IndianaHead Shows out of Wisconsin and Carter Shows out of Ontario,Canada. Thanks for your patients those of you who’ve been waiting over a month, it’s been a long spring.

Source: By Tad Vezner – Pioneer Press

There’s only one thing to say about the tasty amalgamation of corn dogs and pizza.

“It kind of makes sense; it brings two classics together,” said Dennis Larson, the Minnesota State Fair official who signs off on new food at the Fair.

And the corn-dog-topped pizza, which will debut at the 2010 State Fair this summer, meets both of Larson’s criteria.

“There’s an artery-clogging element … and the ‘how-do-they-do-that?’ appeal,” Larson said.

Or at least the “why-do-they-do-that?” appeal.

Bryan Enloe got the idea from a friend who owns two concession trailers: one for corn dogs and the other — you guessed it — for pizza.

The friend typed both terms into Google, looking for ideas for signage, and a picture of the hybrid came up on a blog titled “This is Why You’re Fat.” The blog has since been taken down, but the picture stayed with Enloe.

“The stick was still on it (the corn dog),” he said. “It was a really great idea. I do six to eight fairs a year. Minnesota by far, they go for the wildest stuff.”

Under the banner of the Pizza Shoppe, Enloe will put four half corn dogs — sliced lengthways — on top of a cheese pizza, eight slices to a pie, and serve them sans stick.

Topping the artery-clogging category comes another creation called “chicken fried bacon”: bacon battered, breaded, fried and served in a boat with gravy by Giggles’ Campfire Grill. Enough said.

But if you like Southwestern cuisine, Mark Haugen is finally making an effort to truly assimilate with the Fair. His restaurant, Tejas, in Edina, closed in December after 22 years, but he’s keeping the Fair stand open, as he and his partner have for a dozen years.

In all that time, though, they’ve never sold anything on a stick and haven’t deep-fried so much as a crust of bread.

This year, “We kind of want to get on the bandwagon with the deep-fried,” Haugen said. The solution: a lightly breaded and deep-fried avocado, served with ranch dip.

“It seems like a natural progression for us to do that,” he said.

Famous Dave’s Charlie Torgerson has fried pigs’ ears this year — sliced up to look like tiny curly french fries, with a chipotle glaze. Last year, he had peach-glazed pigs’ cheeks after becoming most famous for his chocolate-covered bacon.

“He’s done everything but the squeal,” Larson said. “He’s running out of organs.”

And in the potato arena, Tina and Matt Isaac have merged the spiral-cut potato on a stick with … chocolate.

“You put sugar on it instead of salt, you gotta whole different thing,” said Matt Isaac who can’t stop talking about potato chips. “I love potato chips. I think I grew up on those.”

His sister, Tina, on the other hand, loves chocolate. And so …

“A lot of it’s trial and error. You end up buying a lot of chocolate and finding out what happens to it. It’s not the worst thing in the world,” Tina Isaac said.

The pair found a chocolate coating that stays hard — even in the heat. You can also sprinkle extra sugar on top, if you’re in the mood.

Also new at the Fair — which runs from Aug. 26 to Labor Day, Sept. 6 — are Cincinnati chili (spaghetti topped with chili); mashed potatoes on a stick; deep-fried shortcake; and Caramel Apple Puppies (Fudge Puppies with baked-in apple, covered in caramel), among others.

Source: Tracy Frank – INFORUM

Games Galore of Fargo has signed an extended contract with Oklahoma-based Murphy Brothers Carnival to provide inflatable games at carnivals throughout the United States.

This is a big opportunity for the Fargo company, which opened in 2006, said owner Dave Lerud.

“It’s a huge contract for Games Galore because it gives us the chance to work with thousands of people with Murphy Brothers Carnivals,” Lerud said.

Games Galore will have a presence at state fairs in Oklahoma, New Mexico and North Dakota, as well as at county fairs in Arkansas and Minnesota.

This is the second year Murphy Brothers Carnival and Games Galore will be at the Red River Valley Fair, which is July 9-17 in West Fargo.

Bryan Schulz, Red River Valley Fair general manager, said fairgoers reacted positively to having inflatable rides at the fair.

“There are kids who don’t enjoy going on the rides that go around in circles and up and down, and this way gives some of the smaller ones the opportunity to bounce around and slide in a very safe atmosphere,” Schulz said.

Last year, Games Galore worked with Murphy Brothers on a trial basis, Lerud said.

Jerry Murphy, Murphy Brothers Carnival president, said reactions were very positive.

“It adds a lot of action for the younger children at the fair,” Murphy said. “When you go to a fair, the more exciting rides, or fun foods, or different things, it’s all about an experience.”

The rides Games Galore offers at the carnivals include an obstacle course, a water slide that is 22 feet high and 60 feet long, and a play area designed for children ages 2 to 6.

“Take the water slide on a 90-degree day in Arkansas, there’s going to be a line of 75 kids the whole time,” Lerud said, adding that the obstacle course and bounce houses are also very popular.

Hal Terrell of Fargo, a Games Galore employee, takes the games to the carnivals, and Games Galore hires locally to watch the games, Lerud said.

Corey Heiser, Games Galore managing partner, coordinates lining up labor for the carnivals.

Games Galore has two new locations this year and expects to keep growing with Murphy Brothers, Lerud said.

“Murphy Brothers is adding more sites all the time,” he said.

Games Galore buys its games from professional manufacturers the company connects with through the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo.

Source: John Nickerson – Stamford Advocate

Carrying 6-by-6-inch blocks of wood in the searing sun while setting up the Grecian Festival on Newfield Avenue, Robby Roberts wasn’t about to let the heat get him down.

Just a year into his gypsy-like odyssey as a carnival employee — “Carny” is a fightin’ word except amongst and between the brother and sisterhood — the happily driven Long Island native was for the first time on his own erecting the 65-foot Landslide ride on the property of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

With sweat coming off his brow, Roberts, 33, remembered the carnival saying when things looked tough.

“Rain, sleet, hail, snow we still have to set up the Dreamland show,” he said with a smile.

The day before, Roberts with 22 other Dreamland Amusement employees had just made the “jump” from a carnival on Patchouge, Long Island that ended at 5 p.m. on Monday, Memorial Day.

After bringing their semitrailers hauling 14 rides along with seven or eight fifth-wheel camping trailers to the Newfield Avenue church, they rested on Tuesday, said Bob DeStefano, who technically is the Dreamland consultant, but everybody knows him as boss.

DeStefano, between rides to the hardware or auto parts store for needed maintenance items, had just two days to get the show up for its Thursday 5 p.m. opening.

DeStefano, 49, another Long Island native, did not seem too worried on that Wednesday morning about his rapidly closing deadline, which he has faced over the past 20 years.

From New Hampshire to North Carolina, he puts on about 45 shows a year from late March through October, he said.

He says living on the road is fine. The travel trailers have electricity, water and kitchens.

“When we get out of bed, we are already at our workplace,” he said.

Making their life place to place with each other is fine with him.

“The world should be more like a carnival. If you work, you fit in. It doesn’t matter what your sexual preference is, race, color or creed. Everybody who joins the carnival and works becomes like family,” he said.

All around the parking lot, men were moving equipment, setting up the rides like the Gondola Wheel, car ride, Space Saucer and kiddie swing. All were sweating.

DeStefano said Roberts was the cheerleader of the group and if there were 22 more of him he would sleep better at night.

Up on the top of the hill next to the church and Newfield Avenue, Roberts was just about finished putting the wooden blocks under the jacks holding his gargantuan ride steady for the shrieking kids who would be taking their big slide down the tallest ride of the show.

As he talked about being able to make $20 per day “draws” from their upcoming Wednesday night paycheck on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, he played the Landslide like a violin.

A lot of people, he said, want to work a carnival when it’s all set up and the lights are flashing and people are having fun. It is glitzy, even glamorous, he said.

“But when it comes to the tear down, we lose a lot of people,” he said.

Reaching up beyond where a man of his 5-foot, 4-inch frame ought to, Roberts pushed the green button igniting the hydraulic motor, and the Landslide began to rise.

After running around the ride installing pins and locking the tower into place, he looked up and smiled.

“That is the first time I have ever done that, baby,” he yelled to a few of the crew assembled around the rig.