Strates Shows& the Erie County Fair


a century long partnership—based on trust, communication, tradition and relationships I


By Jessica Underberg Erie County Fair, CEO


n 2024, the Erie County Fair and Strates Shows will celebrate a 100-year Fair and Carnival part- nership; something that has likely not been achieved by any other Fair and Carnival operator. Realizing this is quite an amazing milestone, I find myself asking, “how did this happen, how are we fortunate enough to be in this position and why?" The relationship between Strates Shows and the Erie County Fair has spanned many generations of Strates family members, Fair Board Members and Managers and,


while I can’t speak to the history prior to my tenure of 26 years as an employee of the Erie County Fair, I can recognize and ap- preciate the mutual respect the parties had for each other which laid the foundation for a century long partnership. A relationship that has lasted this long doesn’t just happen. Like any good partnership, it is based on trust. Strates Shows is a longstanding OABA member which undoubtedly adds to the trust factor. The Circle of Excellence designation certainly adds to the level of trust. Through this designation I know that they have been tested and vetted, inspected by a third party and that they have rose to the top.


adds to the level of trustf . Through this designation I know


Communication is a strong factor in the partnership between both entities which was amped up even more so during the pandemic. Video conferencing became a widely used tool in our industry and we were no different. We would “meet” with each other to discuss the possibilities and the problems. Things discussed include ride counts, layouts and challenging the


that they have been tested and vetted, inspected by a third party and that they have rose to the top. Communication is a strong factor in the partnership between both entities which was amped up even more so d ring th pan


du i a demic. Vid cus


our industry an w were no different. We would “meet” wi each other to discuss the possibilities and the pr blems discu


deo co a d we


c ssed include ride co ounts, la ayou uts and chal all lleng onferen ing be e cin he ecame a widely used tool in w th


robl ms. Thing ging the


ing gs


status quo, percentages, promotions, and infrastructure needs. At times we would loop in Fairs that were contracted with Strates Shows around our dates as well. Open and honest com- munication between Fairs and Carnivals is an absolute must. I believe having the ability to share ideas and address issues opening with Strates Shows has certainly helped to solidify our relationship.


One might argue that a long-standing partnership is based on tradition. One of the beloved traditions at the Erie County Fair is the Strates train coming into town, more recently formal- ized, and deemed, “Train Day.” This tradition means more to our community than even I understood at first. After riding the train into Hamburg for the first time a few years ago, I too was captivated and understood its meaning to the community.


10  OABA ShowTime Magazine | NOVEMBER 2022


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