There’s a last minute change on the carnival ride “midway” at the Berrien County Youth Fair August 16-21 in Berrien Springs. The company that’s been providing the rides at the Fair for more than 50 years has pulled out of Michigan because of operational complications connected to the pandemic.
Wade Shows was scheduled to play fairs at Berrien Springs and Coldwater, but won’t make either one, after eliminating two of its three separate carnival units that simultaneously played different locations. Wade will be replaced by the largest carnival operator in the country, North American Midway Entertainment.
Indiana-based NAME operates more than 250 rides and will be able to “pick and choose” enough of them to field a first-class midway in Berrien Springs. That’s according to a carnival industry expert contacted by MOTM. We wanted to know what caused the last minute change. The carnival consultant said the pandemic was very challenging for many carnivals, but in particular it caused Wade Shows to struggle and downsize.
He predicted that Berrien fair-goers will be very pleased with the rides and the overall atmosphere created by NAME. “Frankly, it’ll probably be an upgrade. People will love it,” he said. Carnivals are usually evaluated by the variety and appearance of their rides, as well as the amenities they provide in the midway area.
The only negative of the carnival switch is a shortened time frame for the midway. NAME will be bringing rides from several locations after Sunday tear-downs. That means the rides can’t start operating until after inspections sometime Tuesday afternoon. There are no changes in how the popular BCYF Ride Wristbands work. They’re available in advance at Honor Credit Union and the Fair Office for $18, through August 13. At the Fair, the wrist bands cost $22 Tuesday-Thursday and $25 Friday and Saturday.
photo credit: Molly Pate, Berrien Springs
