By Jeremy Parsons
keeping the routine intense. Other regular ensemble members who continue to polish their stellar skills are Tad Tobin-Payne and Izzy Patrowicz. Izzy, the proud Bostonian who began her career at Circus Smirkus, now leads the ensemble productions in a lavish ringmas- ter costume. She also consistently catches the triple with catcher Tad when flying as part of the Tabares trapeze act. Having broken from the Vargas Tour to spot date and be featured with the Cirque Du Soleil Fusion production in Saudi Arabia, she’s had quite the run in 2022. The Flying Tabares are perform- ing a single flying trapeze (opposed to the double in years past), and have two flyers throwing the triple somersault this season. The second is performed Dale Thompson. The passing leap and other aerial feats are executed by Mariella Quiroga, Alli Bundy, and Brian Mota. With consideration to all the limitations modern society has placed on the circus (especially in California) — no animals, difficulties recruiting performers and person- nel, and finally the competition most live entertainment faces in getting people in the seat — Producers Nelson and Katya Quiroga have done quite well. Even the harshest critic cannot walk away oblivious to the fact that the audience loves their brand of circus all while stay- ing true to circus tradition. Brian Comedy and other clowns remain, catering the most important demo- graphic of the circus — children. Large troupe acts from across the globe are still included like the Romanian Teeterboard act, the Cretu, or the previously mentioned Faltyny Family, or the Lester Sisters of England. A carefully recruited younger generation from broad backgrounds is taking the reins and that’s what seems most evident in this current, electric production. They deliver at a high level and should not be missed. Circus Fans, if visiting California, please check them out. You will not be disap- pointed.
https://circusvargas.com/
28 OABA ShowTime Magazine | NOVEMBER 2022 CEO/Manager, Clay County Fair, Spencer, Iowa and 2022 Chair, IAFE I
am often quick to point out that fairs are one of the few places left in our world where entire families can gather together in a safe atmo- sphere and create lifelong memories. Yet, as I think deeper, many of those lifelong memories are not
created by the fair itself per se — those memories are actually created by our partners. Think about it. Those fami- lies sitting together at a picnic table grazing fair food? That memory is created by a food concessionaire. How about the smiling child on the carou- sel? Memory created by a carnival. This deeper thought has really been swirling in my mind since COVID-19 first surfaced. While books could be written about the lessons we have learned as a fair industry, the most pow- erful lesson I have learned in the past two years is this — we are all connected to each other, both fairs and our allied partners. This connection is solidified by a common goal as well. Fairs, conces- sionaires, and carnivals want to provide top-notch experiences to our guests. As CEO/Manager of the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa, I am blessed to have a strong connection and a shared common goal with our carnival pro- vider, Goldstar Amusements. For more than a decade, the Featherston family has provided lifelong memories for my fairgoers through thrilling rides, bright LED lights, and a clean operation that continues to grow year after year. However, if I am honest, I realize that I am not as educated as I should be about the Goldstar Amusements operation. Sometimes it is due to the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. Seeing the operation at our fairgrounds one month each year does not give me a complete picture of their workforce challenges, the differences in state regulations that they must navigate, OSHA and DOT compliance issues, and the list goes on and on. And if I am honest with all of you, I also know I am not the only fair manager or fair board member who is not as educated about the carnival industry as one should be. So, to help me in my ignorance, it is crucial that the Clay County Fair be
a member of the OABA. The OABA provides valu- able resources through their ShowTime magazine and their tremendous website to educate me (and you) about the challenges facing one of the fair industry’s main partners. Membership
in the OABA has also opened my eyes to several programs that the OABA has undertaken to further improve that partnership between fairs and carnivals. Perhaps the top program for me is the OABA “Circle of Excellence” program. Put simply, the “Circle of Excellence” is a rigorous evaluation process that ensures that carnivals are at the top of their game from a safety and guest experience perspective. Remember that common goal I mentioned earlier? If you are fortunate to have a “Circle of Excellence” carnival at your fair, you don’t have to worry about whether or not your fair and your carnival have the same goal. You do. When your carnival achieves that designation, you can rest assured that your carnival has a top-notch expe- rience in mind for your fairgoers. Sadly, I am sometimes contacted by fairs who have experienced terrible re- lationships with their carnivals, some of whom do not even show up on the con- tracted dates. To ensure that does not happen to your fair, first make sure your Fair is a member of the OABA and then make sure the “Circle of Excellence” is a requirement of the carnival before signing a contract with them. If you feel that second step is too limiting, at least make sure that OABA membership is a requirement for your carnival provider. For more than a century, fairs and carnivals have worked hand-in-hand to provide lifelong memories for our fairgoers. But in today’s rapidly changing world, that relationship requires constant education — the constant education that only organizations like OABA and IAFE can provide. We need each other.
“Two are better than one, because they have good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
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