Conklin Shows
Encyclopedia
Conklin Shows was the largest traveling amusement corporation in North America. The 75 year-old company operated 'fun fairs' at various summer agricultural shows across North America and is based in Brantford, Ontario
and West Palm Beach, FL. The company has a long history in Canada, providing entertainment for generations of kids and adults. The organization used to operate the midway
services for some of Canada's largest summer fairs including the Canadian National Exhibition
in Toronto
, the Calgary Stampede
, and Edmonton's Capital EX. In 2004, Conklin Shows International route and equipment were sold to North American Midway Entertainment.
Two of the remaining companies, World's Finest Shows and Conklin Super Shows, still are part of the Conklin Group of Carnival Companies. World's Finest Shows route includes more than 60 fairs, all in Ontario, Canada. They are both based in Ontario, Canada.
Conklin Shows as it was known in Canada and the US, now operates under N.A.M.E. The carnival provides the midway at fairs and exhibitions, including, Miami, Florida’s Miami-Dade County Fair, Edmonton, Alberta’s Capital EX Calgary, Alberta's Calgary Stampede and Toronto, Ontario’s CNE, The Canadian National Exhibition.
in the early 1900s. By 1915 he was running his own gambling games at various midways across the southern United States.
In 1916 Patty Conklin joined up with his adopted father and established Clark & Conklin Shows. Lasting four seasons playing at various shows around the mid west, the company folded after the death of the father.
In 1921 Patty moved the show north to play at the Winnipeg Exhibition. Due to a problems with the fair, their participation was canceled. While returning to the United States with a train car full of prize merchandise, Patty stumbled upon a show just outside of Winnipeg. They joined up with the operator of the fair, International Amusement Company and worked all of the remaining Canadian shows that year.
After working the road hosting small fairs coast to coast for 20 years, Conklin Shows bid on and won the midway contract for the 1937 Toronto Canadian National Exhibition
, which the company won. The fair, one of the largest in the world, was a prized show.
Having the CNE contract helped turn it into a profitable company In the early 1950s Conklin Shows borrowed over half a million dollars and began to build permanent attractions on the CNE fairgrounds of Exhibition Place
. In 1953 they constructed the Mighty Flyer, a wooden rollercoaster, that lasted until the early 1990s.
The early 1970s saw the company begin to diversify, including establishing Maple Leaf Village
(now Casino Niagara
) in Niagara Falls Ontario along with running a venue at the base of the CN Tower
in Toronto.
In 1975 Conklin Shows biggest rival, Royal American was banned from Canada due to tax evasion. So by 1976, Conklin won all of the contracts previously held by the competitor - including the Calgary Stampede
and Vancouver Pacific Exhibition.
The 80s and 90s were a time of growth for Conklin as it operated across the prairies with stops in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina and Saskatoon. It also opened up a number of smaller fairs as well as provided a schedule and route for many smaller independent shows such as Lauther Amusements and Billy Trauck Amusements. These companies although bound by contracts to the larger conklin shows operated as separate shows.
Conklin also added many of its super spectaculars, some of which are never seen north of the border. Conklin was the first to have a travelling double loop roller coaster which took 28 trailers to move. This mammoth coaster named "The Doppel Looper" only made the trip as far north as Toronto and even this was not financially feasible after the late 90s. Along other rides that were one of a kind in a travelling carnival, were the Drop of Fear, the G-Force, and The Mark 1 roller coaster.
As time progressed Conklin began to show signs of financial strain that was synonymous with the entire travelling carnival industry. Favorites such as the Zipper and Octopus as well as The Kamikaze and Rainbow were phased out and sold as cost cutting measures. Independents that had long travelled as a part of Conklin Shows were also phased out as a cost cutting measure. Finally other rides such as the Drop of Fear and the Wildcat roller coaster were phased out as cost cutting measures and allowed to be sold to competing companies and shelved in West Palm Beach.
Finally, Conklin Shows joined with the former Farrow Shows from Jackson Mississippi, Thebault-Blomsness (Astro Amusements and All Star Amusements), and former President and CEO of Ticketmaster Group, Frederic Rosen, to form the newly minted North American Midway Entertainment Co. or N.A.M.E. N.A.M.E. Website. This became official in Columbia South Carolina in 2004. In January 2006, N.A.M.E. also acquired Mid America Shows Press Release, and several contracts and rides from Cumberland Valley Shows.
N.A.M.E., a subsidiary of Stone Canyon Entertainment, with a major investment by The Cypress Group, provides fairs and events to over 145 events yearly. Now included are Cinquo de Mayo in New Orleans as well as the Dade Co. Fair, The Illinois State Fair, the Kentucky State Fair, the Dothan Peanut Festival, and the Big E Eastern States Exposition. New and more expensive rides have been added to its line-up but at the cost of many of the old favorites. Frank Conklin while owning part of N.A.M.E., has left the management of the combined company to CEO and President, Mike Williams, who has over 20 years in the carnival business, and COO & Executive Vice President Danny Huston.
Conklin Group is made up of two operating units: World's Finest Shows and Conklin Supershows.
This is a list of just some of the venues they provided midway services for in the past:
Brantford, Ontario
Brantford is a city located on the Grand River in Southern Ontario, Canada. While geographically surrounded by the County of Brant, the city is politically independent...
and West Palm Beach, FL. The company has a long history in Canada, providing entertainment for generations of kids and adults. The organization used to operate the midway
Midway (fair)
A midway at a fair is the location where amusement rides, entertainment and fast food booths are concentrated....
services for some of Canada's largest summer fairs including the Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, the Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
, and Edmonton's Capital EX. In 2004, Conklin Shows International route and equipment were sold to North American Midway Entertainment.
Two of the remaining companies, World's Finest Shows and Conklin Super Shows, still are part of the Conklin Group of Carnival Companies. World's Finest Shows route includes more than 60 fairs, all in Ontario, Canada. They are both based in Ontario, Canada.
Conklin Shows as it was known in Canada and the US, now operates under N.A.M.E. The carnival provides the midway at fairs and exhibitions, including, Miami, Florida’s Miami-Dade County Fair, Edmonton, Alberta’s Capital EX Calgary, Alberta's Calgary Stampede and Toronto, Ontario’s CNE, The Canadian National Exhibition.
History
Conklin Shows was founded by James Wesley "Patty" Conklin, (b. 1892 in Brooklyn New York and raised by adopted parents — the Conklins). He got his start as a sideshow host at Coney IslandConey Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
in the early 1900s. By 1915 he was running his own gambling games at various midways across the southern United States.
In 1916 Patty Conklin joined up with his adopted father and established Clark & Conklin Shows. Lasting four seasons playing at various shows around the mid west, the company folded after the death of the father.
In 1921 Patty moved the show north to play at the Winnipeg Exhibition. Due to a problems with the fair, their participation was canceled. While returning to the United States with a train car full of prize merchandise, Patty stumbled upon a show just outside of Winnipeg. They joined up with the operator of the fair, International Amusement Company and worked all of the remaining Canadian shows that year.
After working the road hosting small fairs coast to coast for 20 years, Conklin Shows bid on and won the midway contract for the 1937 Toronto Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
, which the company won. The fair, one of the largest in the world, was a prized show.
Having the CNE contract helped turn it into a profitable company In the early 1950s Conklin Shows borrowed over half a million dollars and began to build permanent attractions on the CNE fairgrounds of Exhibition Place
Exhibition Place
Exhibition Place is a mixed-use district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, by the shoreline of Lake Ontario, just west of downtown. The 197–acre area includes expo, trade, and banquet centres, theatre and music buildings, monuments, parkland, sports facilities, and a number of civic, provincial,...
. In 1953 they constructed the Mighty Flyer, a wooden rollercoaster, that lasted until the early 1990s.
The early 1970s saw the company begin to diversify, including establishing Maple Leaf Village
Maple Leaf Village
Maple Leaf Village is a former amusement park and entertainment complex in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Opened in May 1979 it was operated by Conklin Shows...
(now Casino Niagara
Casino Niagara
Casino Niagara is a commercial casino located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. It opened in 1996, on the site of the former Maple Leaf Village amusement park. It was originally an interim casino while the new Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort was constructed. Due to its prime location beside...
) in Niagara Falls Ontario along with running a venue at the base of the CN Tower
CN Tower
The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj...
in Toronto.
In 1975 Conklin Shows biggest rival, Royal American was banned from Canada due to tax evasion. So by 1976, Conklin won all of the contracts previously held by the competitor - including the Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
and Vancouver Pacific Exhibition.
The 80s and 90s were a time of growth for Conklin as it operated across the prairies with stops in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina and Saskatoon. It also opened up a number of smaller fairs as well as provided a schedule and route for many smaller independent shows such as Lauther Amusements and Billy Trauck Amusements. These companies although bound by contracts to the larger conklin shows operated as separate shows.
Conklin also added many of its super spectaculars, some of which are never seen north of the border. Conklin was the first to have a travelling double loop roller coaster which took 28 trailers to move. This mammoth coaster named "The Doppel Looper" only made the trip as far north as Toronto and even this was not financially feasible after the late 90s. Along other rides that were one of a kind in a travelling carnival, were the Drop of Fear, the G-Force, and The Mark 1 roller coaster.
As time progressed Conklin began to show signs of financial strain that was synonymous with the entire travelling carnival industry. Favorites such as the Zipper and Octopus as well as The Kamikaze and Rainbow were phased out and sold as cost cutting measures. Independents that had long travelled as a part of Conklin Shows were also phased out as a cost cutting measure. Finally other rides such as the Drop of Fear and the Wildcat roller coaster were phased out as cost cutting measures and allowed to be sold to competing companies and shelved in West Palm Beach.
Finally, Conklin Shows joined with the former Farrow Shows from Jackson Mississippi, Thebault-Blomsness (Astro Amusements and All Star Amusements), and former President and CEO of Ticketmaster Group, Frederic Rosen, to form the newly minted North American Midway Entertainment Co. or N.A.M.E. N.A.M.E. Website. This became official in Columbia South Carolina in 2004. In January 2006, N.A.M.E. also acquired Mid America Shows Press Release, and several contracts and rides from Cumberland Valley Shows.
N.A.M.E., a subsidiary of Stone Canyon Entertainment, with a major investment by The Cypress Group, provides fairs and events to over 145 events yearly. Now included are Cinquo de Mayo in New Orleans as well as the Dade Co. Fair, The Illinois State Fair, the Kentucky State Fair, the Dothan Peanut Festival, and the Big E Eastern States Exposition. New and more expensive rides have been added to its line-up but at the cost of many of the old favorites. Frank Conklin while owning part of N.A.M.E., has left the management of the combined company to CEO and President, Mike Williams, who has over 20 years in the carnival business, and COO & Executive Vice President Danny Huston.
Current operations
This is a list of just some of the venues they provided midway services for in the past:
- Edmonton: Capital EX
- Toronto: Canadian National ExhibitionCanadian National ExhibitionCanadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
- Ottawa: Ottawa SuperEXOttawa SuperEXOttawa SuperEX is an eleven-day annual exhibition that takes places every August at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The exhibition provides exhibits, entertainment and amusements indoors in the buildings on site and outdoors on the grounds...
- Regina: Regina Exhibition Association
- Vancouver: Pacific National ExhibitionPacific National ExhibitionThe Pacific National Exhibition is a non profit organization which hosts an annual 17-day summer fair, seasonal amusement park, and arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It usually begins in mid-to-late August, and ends in early September, usually Labour Day.-History:The exhibition has been...
- West Palm Beach: South Florida FairSouth Florida FairThe South Florida Fair is an annual fair held in West Palm Beach, Florida, every January or February. The fairgrounds site occupies and is located on the site of the former Palm Beach Speedway at the intersection of Southern Boulevard and Fairground Road. It is set up to make it adjacent to the...
- Miami: Miami-Dade County Fair
- Calgary: Calgary StampedeCalgary StampedeThe Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
Conklin Supershows
Conklin Supershows is one of Conklin Shows' smaller sub-companies. It currently owns 19 rides.Current Rides
- Gee Whizz
- High Flyer
- Kite Flyer
- Scrambler
- Silver StreakMusic ExpressA Music Express is an amusement park and carnival ride based on the original Caterpillar rides of Germany. Several near-identical ride designs are also produced by other companies; Musik Express by Italian company Bertazzon and US Majestic Rides, Himalaya by American company Wisdom Rides,German...
- Bumper cars
- Gondola WheelFerris wheelA Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
- Chilly WillySellner ManufacturingSellner Manufacturing is the Faribault, Minnesota manufacturer of the Tilt-A-Whirl and other amusement park rides. Started by Herbert Sellner in 1926 and still family owned.-History:Herbert Sellner made lamps, toys and library tables...
- CarouselCarouselA carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
- 911-Fire Brigade
- Super Tilt-A-Whirl
- Red BaronSellner ManufacturingSellner Manufacturing is the Faribault, Minnesota manufacturer of the Tilt-A-Whirl and other amusement park rides. Started by Herbert Sellner in 1926 and still family owned.-History:Herbert Sellner made lamps, toys and library tables...
- The Great Western Train
- Hot WheelsMusic ExpressA Music Express is an amusement park and carnival ride based on the original Caterpillar rides of Germany. Several near-identical ride designs are also produced by other companies; Musik Express by Italian company Bertazzon and US Majestic Rides, Himalaya by American company Wisdom Rides,German...
- Merry-Go-Round
- Fire Trucks
- Glass House
- Star Walk
Former Rides
- Tilt-A-WhirlTilt-A-WhirlTilt-A-Whirl is one of the best-known flat rides, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs and carnivals in which it is commonly found. The rides are manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing of Faribault, Minnesota...
- Sea DragonPirate ship (ride)A pirate ship is a type of amusement ride, consisting of an open, seated gondola which swings back and forth, subjecting the rider to various levels of angular momentum....
- Dragon Castle Maze
- Super Scooter (Bumper cars)
- Clown House (Fun house)
- Emergency 911
- Victory Lap Slide
- Super Space Sled
- Super Silver Streak
- Super Bumper Cars
- Jolly Roger
World's Finest Shows
One of Conklin Shows' more successful sub-companies is the World's Finest Shows, which travels throughout Ontario, Canada. The company owns more than 40 rides and concessions.Current Rides
World's Finest Shows' current rides are:- Hampton Bikes
- Hampton Boats
- Hampton Volkswagens
- Hampton Cars
- CannonballSuper Shot (ride)Super Shot is a drop ride that appears at some carnivals. It is made by Arm, Inc. There are only 12 seats per car. The ride ascends the tower by cable with passengers facing outwards from the ride. As soon as it gets to the top, it drops.-The Ride Cycle:...
- Bumble BeesSellner ManufacturingSellner Manufacturing is the Faribault, Minnesota manufacturer of the Tilt-A-Whirl and other amusement park rides. Started by Herbert Sellner in 1926 and still family owned.-History:Herbert Sellner made lamps, toys and library tables...
- Century WheelFerris wheelA Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
- Cobra Coaster
- Dizzy DragonsSellner ManufacturingSellner Manufacturing is the Faribault, Minnesota manufacturer of the Tilt-A-Whirl and other amusement park rides. Started by Herbert Sellner in 1926 and still family owned.-History:Herbert Sellner made lamps, toys and library tables...
- FireballRing of Fire / Larson Fireball-Introduction:Larson International has made three rides of similar design. The first being the SUPER LOOP, followed by RING OF FIRE, and the third being FIREBALL. Several variations of each exist The rides run the same but the RING OF FIRE, and all models prior, have caged trains, and the FIREBALL...
- Hang GliderCliffhanger (ride)The Cliff Hanger is a ride that is very popular, and is seen at most amusement parks and wealthy traveling shows. The ride is for the intent of simulating hang gliding.-Design Of Ride:This device consist of a metal ram with a hinged end...
- Fun SlideSlide-Fiction:*Slide, a fictional creature in the Sword of Truth book series-Music:*Slides , an album by Richard Harris *Slide , an album by Lisa Germano*Slide , a single by the Goo Goo Dolls...
- Haunted MansionDark rideA dark ride or ghost train is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music, and special effects....
- Hog Wild
- Hy-5 WheelFerris wheelA Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
- Jumping JumbosSellner ManufacturingSellner Manufacturing is the Faribault, Minnesota manufacturer of the Tilt-A-Whirl and other amusement park rides. Started by Herbert Sellner in 1926 and still family owned.-History:Herbert Sellner made lamps, toys and library tables...
- Beach Party
- Merry-Go-Round 1
- Merry-Go-Round 2
- Musik ExpressMusic ExpressA Music Express is an amusement park and carnival ride based on the original Caterpillar rides of Germany. Several near-identical ride designs are also produced by other companies; Musik Express by Italian company Bertazzon and US Majestic Rides, Himalaya by American company Wisdom Rides,German...
- Monkey Maze
- Monkey MayhemSellner ManufacturingSellner Manufacturing is the Faribault, Minnesota manufacturer of the Tilt-A-Whirl and other amusement park rides. Started by Herbert Sellner in 1926 and still family owned.-History:Herbert Sellner made lamps, toys and library tables...
- Pharaoh's FuryPirate ship (ride)A pirate ship is a type of amusement ride, consisting of an open, seated gondola which swings back and forth, subjecting the rider to various levels of angular momentum....
- Raiders
- Scooter 1800
- Scrambler
- Tilt-A-WhirlTilt-A-WhirlTilt-A-Whirl is one of the best-known flat rides, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs and carnivals in which it is commonly found. The rides are manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing of Faribault, Minnesota...
- TornadoTornado (ride)The tornado is an amusement ride manufactured by Wisdom Industries Ltd. Most tornados travel with a traveling midway company to many fairs with many other rides.- Ride experience :The center base spins at 10 RPM while each car can be spun by the riders...
- Wacky Shack
- Wacky Worm
- Wave Swinger
- Wiggle Wurm
- Zero GravityRound Up----"Round Up" is a song by American rapper Lady May, featuring American R&B singer Blu Cantrell. Released as a single in June 2002, the song was supposed to be the lead single from May's debut album, May Day, but the album has never been released. The single performed moderately in the U.S...
- ZipperZipper (ride)The Zipper is an amusement-thrill ride popular at carnivals and amusement parks in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It features strong vertical G-forces, numerous spins, and a noted sense of unpredictability....
Former Rides
- Cuckoo Haus
- Central Park
- Circus Train
- Acceleration Station
- TyphoonOrbiter (ride)The Orbiter is a fairground ride invented by Richard Woolls in 1976.It has a number of articulated arms radiating from a central rotating vertical axis. Each arm supports a cluster of cars, which are lifted through 90° into the horizontal position once the ride is spinning...
- Trapeze Swings
- Star TrooperParatrooper (ride)A Paratrooper also known as an "Umbrella Ride" is a type of fairground ride based on cars suspended below a wheel which rotates at an oblique angle. The cars are free to rock sideways and swing out under centrifugal force and the wheel rotates. Invariably, the cars on a paratrooper have an umbrella...
- SizzlerSizzler (ride)The Sizzler is an off-the-shelf amusement park ride. Concerns have been raised about its safety, as the ride has been involved in at least five fatalities since 1997.-External links:* at Wisdom Rides...
- Spin OutSpin Out (Ride)The Spin Out is a claw type of ride, and is known as "Move It" outside of the United States. The claw has seats, and is attached to an arm. It spins 360 degrees while rotating upside-down. There is a turntable underneath the ride that turns in the opposite direction.The ride has six rows of four...
- Salt'N'Pepper ShakersKamikaze (ride)A Kamikaze is a pendulum amusement ride, usually found as a traveling ride, with some examples found at amusement parks. The ride is manufactured by Far Fabbri & Sartori, and first made its debut in 1984...
- Traffic Jam
- Bear AffairSellner ManufacturingSellner Manufacturing is the Faribault, Minnesota manufacturer of the Tilt-A-Whirl and other amusement park rides. Started by Herbert Sellner in 1926 and still family owned.-History:Herbert Sellner made lamps, toys and library tables...
- Go Gator
- Dragon Wagon
- MedievalDark rideA dark ride or ghost train is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music, and special effects....
- Mystery MansionDark rideA dark ride or ghost train is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music, and special effects....
- 1001 NachtsAli BabaAli Baba is a fictional character from medieval Arabic literature. He is described in the adventure tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves...
- Sea DragonPirate ship (ride)A pirate ship is a type of amusement ride, consisting of an open, seated gondola which swings back and forth, subjecting the rider to various levels of angular momentum....
- Spring Ride
- Kite Flyer
- Balloon Race
- Magic Bus
- Emergency 911
- Heartbreak Express
- The Great Western Train
- Cortina BobBreakdance (ride)The Breakdance is an amusement park and fairground ride, designed by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1985. Upon release, the ride design proved to be an instant hit, with HUSS now producing four varying designs, all of which can be acquired in transportable, semi-permanent, or permanent forms.-Design and...
- Crazy DanceBreakdance (ride)The Breakdance is an amusement park and fairground ride, designed by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1985. Upon release, the ride design proved to be an instant hit, with HUSS now producing four varying designs, all of which can be acquired in transportable, semi-permanent, or permanent forms.-Design and...
- Victory Lap Slide
- Hampton Tubs'O'Fun
- Hampton Wave Runner
- Tsunami
- Time MachineRound Up----"Round Up" is a song by American rapper Lady May, featuring American R&B singer Blu Cantrell. Released as a single in June 2002, the song was supposed to be the lead single from May's debut album, May Day, but the album has never been released. The single performed moderately in the U.S...
- GravitronGravitronThe Gravitron is an amusement ride, most commonly found as a portable ride at fairs and carnivals. The Gravitron first appeared at Morey's Piers in 1983 and quickly became a fixture at amusement parks in many countries. It is a modification of an earlier ride called the Rotor...
- Super TrooperParatrooper (ride)A Paratrooper also known as an "Umbrella Ride" is a type of fairground ride based on cars suspended below a wheel which rotates at an oblique angle. The cars are free to rock sideways and swing out under centrifugal force and the wheel rotates. Invariably, the cars on a paratrooper have an umbrella...
See also
- fun fairs - About the history of travelling fairs
- Maple Leaf VillageMaple Leaf VillageMaple Leaf Village is a former amusement park and entertainment complex in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Opened in May 1979 it was operated by Conklin Shows...
- A now defunct small amusement park in Niagara Falls Ontario. - Canadian National ExhibitionCanadian National ExhibitionCanadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
- Exhibition PlaceExhibition PlaceExhibition Place is a mixed-use district in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, by the shoreline of Lake Ontario, just west of downtown. The 197–acre area includes expo, trade, and banquet centres, theatre and music buildings, monuments, parkland, sports facilities, and a number of civic, provincial,...
- Toronto, site of one of the world's largest fairs - Lake Ontario ParkLake Ontario ParkLake Ontario Park is a municipal park located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada on the east side of Cataraqui Bay on the shore of Lake Ontario.The park, which dates from 1894, is a day-use facility with picnic areas, picnic pavilion, walkways, and children's playgrounds...
- Kingston
External links
- Conklin Shows Official Web Site - Conklin Shows Official Web Site.
- Supershows Official Web Site - Supershows Official Web Site (associated with Conklin Shows).
- World's Finest Shows Official Web Site - World's Finest Shows Official Web Site.
- Central Canada Exhibition - The early history of the Central Canada Exhibition (Ottawa), with many historical photos of Conklin Shows.
- Northlands Park - Edmonton - History of Conklin Shows in EdmontonEdmontonEdmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
- Canadian Association of Fairs
- The Virtual Museum of Canada - A selection of original historical posters for Conklin exhibitions.
Multimedia
- CBC Archives Patty Conklin gives a tour of the CNE with CBC Radio (1958)
- CBC Archives CBC Television story about Patty Conklin (1971).
- CBC Television - Life and Times special - CBC TelevisionCBC TelevisionCBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
special, The Life and Times of Patty Conklin.