Fair Game Podcast
A Podcast for the Fair Industry.
On this episode, we sit down with Michael Tipton, the CEO of Central Florida Fair in Orlando, Florida. Michael shares insights from his first year at the Central Florida Fair, highlights from the Florida Federation of Fairs convention, and offers a preview of what guests can expect from the 2024 Central Florida Fair. Join us as we delve into the world of fairs, entertainment, and community experiences with a leader shaping the Central Florida fairgrounds.
Delighting Audiences: A Conversation with Magician Henry Rivera
Join us for an episode with Florida-based magician, Henry Rivera. Discover his journey through magic, from early fascination to career-defining moments. Hear about his approach to captivating audiences and the psychology of magic. Uncover the the sheer artistry and charisma of this renowned magician.
The High-Flying Life of Shane Hansen
In this gripping episode, we dive into the exhilarating world of Shane Hansen, the charismatic star of the renowned Rock-N-Circu show that has been captivating audiences all over America. Shane takes us behind the scenes of his adrenaline-pumping stunt show, offering an exclusive peek into the heart-stopping details and intricate preparation that goes into each hair-raising performance.
As the conversation unfolds, Shane opens up about a deeply personal battle with alcohol addiction that threatened to derail his career and personal life. With unflinching honesty, he shares the harrowing journey of how he confronted his demons and ultimately found redemption through sobriety. Shane's candid account of his struggles and triumphs serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of resilience and the unwavering human spirit.
Tune in to this episode for an enthralling blend of high-octane tales from the Rock-N-Circus world and an inspiring narrative of Shane's journey to sobriety.
Cheryl Flood knows she’s one of the lucky ones. As executive director of the Florida State Fair, she is one of the few fair managers who actually had a fair back in 2020 just prior to the Covid pandemic being declared. While her 2020 fair was a success, she did not escape the pandemic unscathed. As the vaccine began to be distributed the decision had to be made to delay the 2021 Florida State Fair by several months. We talk about that decision and more on today’s episode.
Gene Cassidy is the President of the Eastern States Exposition, affectionately known as The Big E! He’s also the current chair of the IAFE Executive Committee. He joins us today from The Big E! to talk about how they’ve navigated the Covid pandemic and what he’s most looking forward to when the fair opens its gates this fall.
Samantha Fairlie is the owner at, “The Pretzel Lady,” a hand-rolled pretzel business based out of St. Augustine, Florida. Not only are her pretzels delicious, she’s the proud owner of one of the most amazing food trailers in the entire industry. When I first saw it my first thought was, “this is the kind of set up you’d see at EPCOT in Disney World during Food & Wine Fest.” We talk about that amazing display and more on today’s episode.
Carey Harveycutter faced the challenges of 2020 with patience, making decisions focused on the health of his staff and community. It’s 2021 now and the folks at the Salem Fair are ready to open. With their dates fast approaching the pandemic is waning just in time for the 2021 Salem Fair.
Producer’s Note: Today’s episode was pre-recorded on Wednesday, June 9th, 2021, three weeks prior to the fair’s opening night on Wednesday, June 30th.
