Fair Game Podcast
A Podcast for the Fair Industry.
In 2011, William Zakrajshek made an observation at the San Diego County Fair. That observation lead to the creation of what is now known as Out at the Fair. An award winning event which supports the LGBTQ+ community. We chat about the event and how the pandemic has impacted the future of Out at the Fair.
Matias and Jamie Martinez are the owner/operators of the Three Ring Super Circus. The show wows audiences with incredible stunts and circus feats. Based out of Georgia, the show travels across the country to the delight of audiences everywhere. We sat down to talk about the pandemic, Matias’ injury that nearly took his life and the joys of having a new baby.
In April 2001, Chad's life took a dramatic turn when a tragic tractor mishap left him paralyzed, altering the course of his existence in unimaginable ways. Instead of succumbing to despair, Chad's unyielding determination propelled him to not just endure, but to flourish in the face of profound adversity. We invite you to witness Chad unravel his compelling odyssey, showcasing unwavering resilience and imparting profound revelations on the indomitable nature of the human spirit and the boundless potential for personal development. Make sure to tune in and be enriched by the wisdom and motivation emanating from Chad's truly extraordinary story.
Dale Belair is a Canadian event producer. In 2020 he started an event called FoodTruckWars.ca. The event brings food truck vendors together in communities across Canada. In 2021, Belair is hoping to take that event to the international border of the USA & Canada. Will Covid let that happen? Only time will tell.
Our industry is made up of many people. From fair management to entertainers and concessionaires to carnival operators. One group we haven’t spoken to yet is our fair guests themselves. There are people across our nation who are loyal to our events, attending every year and in some cases, every single day of the fair. Today we speak to one of those people. Judy Wilder was named Ultimate Fair Goer at the Erie County Fair in 2018.
Kathleen O’Leary has been with Wisconsin State Fair Park for over two decades. She became the CEO in 2016 and was excited for the future of the Wisconsins State Fair. She never could’ve imagined what 2020 would have in store for her and the State Fair Park. We talk about pandemic response, the future of our industry and her role as a strong female leader in the Milwaukee area.
Debbie Powers and her husband, Corky are the owners of Powers Great American Midways, a carnival company based out of New York that runs the east coast of the United States. While they managed to sneak in a few events in 2020 like most ride operators faced what seemed to be endless cancellations. As we move further into 2021 Debbie is continually optimistic that fairs will be able to reopen later this year. We talked carnival life, H2B Visas, the pandemic and living a positive life.
