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Pride of Texas continues fun, family-style rides, games, food

Posted by CarnivalMidways.Com on August 5, 2010
Posted in: News. Tagged: .

Source:Connie Whiteley – The Southwest Times

The Seward County 5-State Fair is in full swing today. The carnival started Tuesday evening and runs through Sunday.

The Pride of Texas Carnival has been part of the 5-State Fair since 1971. The carnival opens at 6 p.m. and runs through 11 p.m. today, Thursday and Sunday. The carnival will be open until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

The carnival has 21 rides, including the zipper and the ferris wheel. Setting up the carnival rides usually takes two days, ride supervisor and safety coordinator Tim Harris said. This year however, the carnival pushed to set up in a day and half. The carnival rides were at Garden City through Sunday night then had a quick turnaround for Tuesday’s local opening, Harris said.

Ride admissions are paid through $1 tickets or carnival goers may buy a $20 bracelet for an unlimited number of rides. Most rides require more than one ticket.

Pride of Texas owner Doug Barton feels the bracelets are a better deal than the tickets. On average the cost for a person to ride all rides one time is around $65.
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Carnival season is up and running

Posted by CarnivalMidways.Com on July 10, 2010
Posted in: News. Tagged: , , .

By WENDI WINTERS, For the Maryland Gazette

The air is crisp, redolent with nose-tingling aromas that beckon. An endless blur of bright lights and the reverberating sounds of delighted screams and shrieks of laughter electrify the night sky.

You are at the carnival. It’s time to relax and have some old fashioned summertime fun.

Perhaps this is your night to win that giant pink panda.

Since 1970, Taylor & Sons, which operates on Defense Highway in Annapolis, has been one of three amusement companies based in Anne Arundel County. Taylor & Sons, a family business, provides the rides, food and games at many carnivals, plus the staff trained to handle all the details. In this county, their friendly competition is Shaw and Sons Amusements of Severn and Jolly Shows, based in Annapolis.

Five years ago, the Taylors slowly scaled their business down – not realizing they had funnel cake and motor grease still flowing through their veins. This year, the company is back on track, handling nearly 30 shows in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

“We’re coming back with a full-sized midway and a selection of games and rides of all sizes and shapes for children and adults alike,” said Clif Taylor, 44, one of the two sons of the company’s founder, Charles Taylor, now 79.

The family affair includes Clif’s brother Cleve, 46; sister Leah Ann Gross, 42; their mother Leah May Taylor; and Clif’s wife Sue-Anne Taylor.

“We missed the carnivals the past few years,” admitted Clif. “We loved the business and working with the super sponsors – the fire departments, civic organizations, churches and fair boards. We’re back and running carnivals again.

Several area carnivals already have come and gone, including ones in Lake Shore, Riviera Beach and Odenton. There are more to come, including the granddaddy of all local carnivals in Glen Burnie starting July 30 and running through Aug. 7.

This weekend, it’s the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Department’s carnival.

“We’re one of the largest carnivals in the county,” said Paul Demasky, an Earleigh Heights volunteer firefighter involved with the carnival planning. “People return year after year.”

He noted miniature golf and the popular plant wheel, a game of chance, are back after a few years absence. The syrup-flavored snowballs, carnival snacks, and games like fishing are still on the long menu of popular things to do or eat.

See you at the carnival!

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Safety Considerations for Operating Amusement Rides

Posted by CarnivalMidways.Com on June 20, 2010
Posted in: News. Tagged: , .

Source: Yourfirstserver.com

The amusement ride operator/attendant has full control on most rides and must be proactive and capable of reacting quickly to situations as they arise.

The safety record of the amusement ride industry has greatly improved as a result of inspections, ride maintenance, safe operations and better ride designs, and ride operators/attendants play an important role in maintaining amusement ride safety.

Most countries have occupational health and safety legislation designed to protect the health and safety of workers and the public. Herein is a discussion of the role that amusement ride operators/attendants play in maintaining the highest possible level of safety on the rides on which they work.

Amusement ride operators/attendants should work safely, get as much training as possible in the safe operation of the equipment they are working with and stay alert to prevent safety hazards.
Amusement ride operators/attendants should not engage in any unsafe activities such as horse-play, showing off, or any unseemly behavior while on the job.

Every amusement ride operator/attendant is responsible for on-the-job safety. They are responsible for their own safety as well as the safety of other employees and that of the general public.

Here are some basic rules for a safe workplace that amusement ride operators/attendants should follow:

• Be sure that you know and obey all safety rules and procedures

• Keep your surroundings neat, clean and free of hazards

• Immediately report hazardous situations that might result in an accident

• Complete the inspection checklists prior to operating the ride

• Develop safe work habits and participate in safety training

In addition, there are a number of workplace hazards for which amusement ride operators/attendants should be on the look-out and attend to at once:

• Anything that can cause someone to trip

• Anything that can cause someone to bump their head

• Anything that can cause someone to get a splinter

• Anything that can cause someone to fall

• Anything that can cause someone to get a cut

Amusement ride operators/attendants must work in accordance with the Health and Safety legislation in affect in their area. They must also follow their employer’s policies and safety procedures. They should also be sure not to work when they are tired. Breaks should be taken away from the ride in order to enable the amusement ride operators/attendants to properly relax so that they may return to work refreshed and rested.

It is of the utmost importance that amusement ride operators/attendants be totally familiar with the rides that they are operating. They should observe how the ride operates, and the motions involved in their operation until they understand them completely.

Every ride has a safety zone, which is the area from which the ride is operated. This safety zone is usually designated by the manufacturer or owner of the ride, and should be clearly defined and fenced off, in such a way as to be easily identified by the riders. The safety zone should also be an area that is easily controlled by the amusement ride operators/attendants. The safety zone is for the personal safety of the amusement ride operators/attendants while the ride is in motion, and should never be left while the ride is in motion, or before it has come to a full stop.

The safety of the amusement ride operators/attendants and that of their riders is equally important. Unsafe riding practices are the major cause of incidents on all types of rides.
Rider responsibility should be encouraged, and the amusement ride operators/attendants can play an important role in this. Safety instructions should be clearly posted at the entrance to the ride and the amusement ride operators/attendants should strictly enforce all of them.

It is especially important to reach out to the parents of young children and to enlist their help and support in promoting safe riding practices and in enforcing all safety instructions.

• Be alert to unsafe conditions that could cause trips or falls on the ride platform or steps

• Be alert to unsafe conditions that could cause injury

• Always check that seat belts or safety restraints are fastened and locked in place before the ride starts

• Be careful not to close the door or restraint on any part of the rider’s body while the riders are getting on or off of the ride

• If there is even a suspicion that a rider is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they should not be allowed them

• Remind riders to follow the posted rules for the ride regarding age, height and/or weight restrictions

• Be sure to alert pregnant women and people with heart conditions to possible risks involved in using the ride

• Remind riders to keep hands, arms, legs and feet inside the ride at all times

• Remind riders to remain seated until the ride comes to a complete stop

If there are any problems with a rider or parent because of ride restrictions or behavior, amusement ride operators/attendants should not operate the ride. They should stop the ride if in motion and only resume operation after the problem has been settled.
Amusement ride operators/attendants should always report all safety-related matters to their immediate supervisor, the insurance company and local safety authorities. They should also update the ride manufacturer and consult with them.

Amusement ride operators/attendants should never leave the ride while it is operating.

Amusement ride operators/attendants should watch the ride and riders at all times while it is operating.
Remembering and following these rules while operating amusement rides will significantly increase the chances of a safe and enjoyable time for everyone, riders and operators/attendants alike, while lessening the prospect of stricter insurance terms and licensing requirements for the amusement ride hirers/operators.

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