KFDM News
The Nedeland Heritage Festival begins this week and runs through Sunday.
In addition to rides and games, one carnival operator will display what he claims is the only live, two-headed rattlesnake in captivity. He also has a two-headed turtle.
To read more about the festival, including the schedule and ticket prices, log onto http://www.nederlandhf.org/
CHOCTAW,LA — Rides, food and fun are promised for yet another year once the Choctaw Firemen’s Fair kicks off at 6 tonight.
T.J. Lamoy and Harold Dean of Houma, members of Cajun Amusement Rides, erect a tent for the dart game Wednesday in Choctaw for the Firemen’s Fair this weekend.
In addition to catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs and fries, local specialties ranging from seafood gumbo to fried chicken with red beans will be available for purchase.
Locals say the fair — as well as regular bingo games — are what pay for fire protection mostly in this rural north Lafourche community.
Choctaw Volunteer Fire Department Vice President Mitchell Tabor, says he knows too well how important that money is.
“It means money to keep up the fire department because we don’t get any money from taxes,” he said.
Tabor, with the fire department 26 years, described how much has changed over the years for the fair.
“It’s much better than past years,” he said “We used to have to set up tents and all kinds of wiring. Now all we have to do is flip some switches and keep the place clean.”
Barbra Singelton, owner of Cajun Amusement Rides, Choctaw’s is a family festival.
“You don’t even have to worry about people getting in trouble because everyone knows each other,” she said.
“That’s why we love it,” said Teri Dean, her 39-year-old daughter from Houma. “Its quiet.”
Bands playing this weekend include Foret Tradition, Southern Knights, Junior Lacrosse, Something Sneaky and Way Down South.
The fair runs tonight, as well as all day Saturday and until 6 p.m. Sunday.
A parade will be held Sunday morning at 10:30 starting at Sixth Ward Middle School and ending at the fairgrounds.
In 1914, the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. introduced what is today considered the best, and best-loved, American band organ: the Style 165. According to Wurlitzer’s “Disposition of Instruments Manufactured,” 24 Wurlitzer 165s were produced. Ten complete examples survive. Three of these organs still operate publicly, while many of the others are remembered fondly by those who enjoyed them in their heyday. Some band organ fans have been lucky enough to live near a publicly operating Wurlitzer 165 (or even two, if in the Los Angeles area), while others were first introduced to the 165 via recordings. In either case, the Wurlitzer 165 can be credited by many for instilling within them a permanent passion for these magnificent machines.
Originally purchased by Ross Davis, organ #3329, played at the Lincoln Park carousel then at Griffith Park before moving to New Hampshire with its present owner.
And for the rest of this wonderful story you must go to Carousel News.
I am a member of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association. This is an association of the traveling carnivals, fairs, and shows, which travel the countryside from March to October, in a tradition as old as the hills. I write the occasional article for their trade magazine. Below is my latest submission, on the importance of training. It will make more sense to you if you are a seasonal operator, but there are larger points there which apply to everyone. Enjoy.
This year, among other goals, you should be striving for a successful DOT season. That means, no accidents, no roadside tickets or Out of Services, and no DOT audits. If you can do that, it will increase your chances of having a successful year, dollars and cents-wise, as well.
There are some things you can do in the office to comply with the DOT rules. You should review your driver files, making sure they are complete. Check that all your drivers have current medical certificates before the season starts. Run all of your drivers’ license histories through the DMV. If you are hiring any new drivers, do your background checks. Make sure all of your CDL drivers have a pre-employment drug test, and double-check that you are properly set up to conduct random drug and alcohol tests throughout the season.
Amelia Santaniello – WCCO TV
The Minnesota State Fair opens in 178 days, but before it does, one of the Fair icons needs some help. The Grandstand marquis needs new bulbs in its letters and numbers, and you can help buy them.
“Traditionally the marquis is lit about a month before the opening of the State Fair,” said Ana Heath with the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.
So how are the giant marquis characters seen so well at night? There are about 100 light bulbs for each letter or number — 5200 bulbs for the whole sign.
When the Grandstand was built in 1909, there were no lights on the marquis. The sign was illuminated some time in the 1960s, and the old-style bulbs each use 11 watts of power.
So as the Grandstand begins its second century, its time for all those bulbs to go green.
“In order to give it a face lift for its 100th birthday, we’re raising money to replace the standard light bulbs in the Grandstand marquis with high efficiency LED bulbs,” said Heath
When the Grandstand was built in 1909, there were no lights on the marquis. The sign was illuminated some time in the 1960s, and the old-style bulbs each use 11 watts of power.
The new Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs use only one watt of power each. The Minnesota State Fair Foundation is hoping people will help with the $20 cost of each new bulb.
“Someone purchased the S and the F in the State Fair to commemorate their time out here, so I think people are really excited about the opportunity to contribute something tangible to the state fairgrounds,” Heath said.
If you’d like to contribute to buy a letter or even just one bulb, just click on the link below.
Minnesota State Fair Foundation