Sideshow operator Dennis York is part of a vanishing breed in the carnival business.

York runs two attractions, Amazing Animals Alive! and Samson the Giant Horse. Both tents were set up at the Cleveland County Fair here as part of Reithoffer Shows midway. His company has headquarters in both New York and Florida.

Counting his operation, there are less than a half-dozen sideshows remaining in the outdoor amusement business, York said. Ward Hall, Jim Zajicek, Jack Constantine and John Strong are the others, he said. To this point, it is a small fraternity but one that still draws plenty of curious onlookers attending carnivals and special events.

In Shelby, patrons approached York, perched in front of the tent, and gazed at the colorful banners showcasing the six-legged cow, the pig with two heads and the Zonkey, half zebra, half donkey. The voice over the loud speakers promoting the sideshow, said, yes, these animals are indeed real, and Samson the Giant Horse "is standing up right now."

Still, in this sluggish economy, those interested in seeing the abnormal animals but questioning what they would get for their $2 wanted confirmation from the guy in front of the tent accepting their cash. Yes, York told one woman, the animals are real and what you see on the banners are all inside the tent. "A lot of people are scared they are going to get ripped off," he said.

York grew up in the carnival business. His parents owned pony rides and traveled the northeast. His family worked for Bob Commerford's petting zoos for 12 years before buying the sideshow from Dick Johnson in 1991. York's wife Jody and their 10-year-old son, Cash, travel with the sideshow.

In addition to Reithoffer Shows, York books with Amusements of America, Strates Shows, S&S Amusements and Triple Treat Shows, among other carnivals. Last year, York booked with Jeremy Floyd in Manchester, Tenn. Floyd is grandson of the late J.D. Floyd of the old Cumberland Valley Shows. A lot of "hopscotching," York said.

In mid-October, the sideshow moved to eastern North Carolina for the North Carolina State Fair, where Powers Great American Midway holds the carnival contract in conjunction with Wade Shows. It is York's biggest date of the season. Then it was on to Atlanta, where the sideshow played a date at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The economy remains soft but people still need to be entertained, York said. They are staying closer to home and attending their local fairs instead of splurging on big trips out of town, he said.

The primary expenses for operating a side show are tied to the feeding and care of the animals and those costs are about $2,000 a week, he said. Health inspectors check out his operation every month to make sure the animals are being treated properly.

The animals, most with birth defects, come from all over the country. The six-legged cow is from New York, the dwarf bull came from Alabama and the five-legged sheep was picked up from Ohio. "Farms have mistakes," York said.

Animal rights groups do not have many issues with York's operation. They are too busy worrying about circus animals, he said.

The sideshows are disappearing and so are the talented artists known for painting the colorful banners, York said. Jim DeMuse is responsible for painting the vivid displays for the Amazing Animals Alive! attraction. Vinyl signs, as well as electronic displays, are taking over on the midway and "nobody is painting anymore," York said. "That, and the older guys are dying off."

The Pima County Fair located in Tucson, Arizona, has been having its annual fair for 103 years. Pima County Fair attendance continued to climb in 2013 said Launa Rabago, Marketing Manager, "our attendance is 13% over last year.  We've been setting and breaking attendance and revenue records ever since the economic crisis of 2009." The Pima County Fair, a non-profit, private corporation was established in 1975 by Pima County to operate the fairgrounds and the Pima County Fair. Any profits earned from operations are put back into the facility for improvements. Launa Rabago and her team are social media savvy drawing both local and tourists alike to the event.  The fair has captured the use of social media by offering prizes to those who help solicit the fair on Insta-gram, Twitter and Facebook.  The Pima County fair draws from diverse ethnic backgrounds, according to Rabago, "We understand our unique and culturally diverse audience and book all entertainment accordingly.  We try to provide a different concert segment each night of concerts and may 'push the envelope' a bit on our selections but we had huge turnouts each night we had a concert.  We booked everything from classic rock to new rock to rap to country to Spanish language concerts." Change may be in the air for 2014 said Rabago, "we may decide to make a change or two on a concert selection and there is always room for improvement.  We have our own permanent exhibits; Creepy Crawly Slimy and Kiddie Kingdom that we designed and continue to add to keep people visiting the attractions.  I think we will improve the VIP seating for concerts to somehow add to the experience."  For 2013, the musical acts were free with admission to the fair and upgraded concert seats were available for $10.00 and sold only at the fair.   The promotions have been the same for many years because, Rabago said,  "they work".  In 2013 some new fair events were introduced. "We spent about $250,000 on local advertising and received nearly $400,000 of in-kind advertising in addition to the buy we place.  We purchase every local medium here. We get about 250,000 attendees so I figure we spend about $1.00 per head on advertising."  The media plan includes outdoor billboards, park and bus benches, radio, television and  print in both Spanish and English.  They also pay for Facebook and social media advertising.  Daily promotions are created to reach various demographics through outreach and specific target marketing campaigns. Area promotions are designed to take advantage of foot traffic and visibility. The Pima County Fair also took into consideration the economic impact on families, keeping admission prices to $8.00 for adults (11 and older), $3.00 for children (6 to 10) and anyone under five was free.  Parking was $5.00 with shuttles to/from the parking lots.  There were specific times and promotions that would allow discounts such as opening day free admission with two (2) cans of unopened food.  They also allowed free admission with a Brueggers Bagels receipt for $5.00 or more.  They also offered free admission if an attendee presented a Wendy's Combo Meal receipt.  If an attendee brought in a 20 oz. bottle of Coke or Diet Coke, they would receive $5.00 off a $30.00 wristband which allowed unlimited carnival rides.  Each of these promotions had specific time restrictions.  The fair also incorporated a Military Appreciation Day and Senior Celebration Day offering $2.00 off the regular ticket price.  Another memorable mention allowed a free carnival ride for children who had read at least three books.  Free entertainment included Hypnotists, Birds Show, Creep Factor Show, Pacific Animal Productions, Fire Dancers, Acrobats, Baboon Show, Frisbee Dogs, Pig Races, Petting Zoo, Pony Trail Rides along with one hundred local entertainers and demonstrators.  Food items included: Gator on Stick, Bacon Wrapped Turkey Legs, Bacon Flavored Cotton Candy, and Deep Fried PBJ.  The fairgrounds are located on a 640-acre event complex with five stages, three exhibit buildings, equestrian arenas/barns, motorized arenas, a 15-acre carnival midway, outdoor exhibit areas and two paid parking entrances.  The grounds are wheelchair accessible with a tented shuttle drop off/pick up outside the main gate.  In 2013, the Pima County Fair was held April 18 - 28, 2013.  Gates opened at 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, Midway 3 p.m.; 10 a.m. on the weekends, Midway 11 a.m.  You could upgrade your ride purchase for $20 to a FAST PASS and get into the FAST PASS carnival ride lane for faster service.  They had early morning admission for participants in 4-H, equestrian events and livestock activities decreasing a wait in long lines for those not enjoying the carnival/midway until later in the day. The carnival, provided by Ray Cammack Shows has partnered with Pima County Fair for over 25 years.   2013 proved  to be the fair's "best year ever."  Carnival grosses were up by 5.4%. Launa Rabago and her team, aware of the recent tragedy in Boston said that security is always an issue, they "...work closely with the Dept of Homeland Security and their recommendations for large scale events and increase our security measures based upon attendance.  We have regular discussions to keep our security, safety, medical and emergency plan current to attendance sizes as well as address any intelligence that may be brought to our attention regarding the need for increased security." Planning is already underway for the 2014 event, set to take place April 17 through April 27, 2014.

According to Pete Sutton, General Manager of the Clay County Agricultural Fair, "Clay County, Florida is a special place.  It has great people and they have a passion for what they believe in.  The fair was actually started that way." Back in the early 1970s, a group of forward-thinking community leaders "all shared the dream that it was important that Clay County's rich agriculture heritage was worth showcasing forever for future generations to enjoy.", according to the fair,s website.  From then on, there was no stopping them. When asked the secret of continually attracting such a high level of volunteerism, Sutton replied:  "It becomes personal.  They enjoy what they do - if they didn't, they would quit because they're not getting paid.  They have pride in what they do, and their reward is seeing other people enjoy it." And attendees certainly have enjoyed the fruits of this volunteer labor...  During this year's fair, 45.11% (a 4.91% increase from last year) of the 21,201 ticket-buyer zip codes that were keyed in were from outside Clay County.  Add to that a special visit from the Midwest Fair Association (a select group of fair managers from all over the United States), and it's obvious that the Clay County Agricultural Fair is gaining more and more national recognition. Sutton described the Early Florida Village exhibit as "the pride of our entire fair."  He said that  Sarah Lynn Boe, "one of our earlier board members, got the vision and shared it."  The website explains that this village began in 1991 with "a replicated cracker-style house constructed by Clay High School students."  Sutton described this style of architecture as basically "four walls and a porch." From these humble beginnings grew an amazing display of Clay County ingenuity.  Sutton said that the village more resembles a "Clay County family reunion" than it does a museum.  Original structures such as "the homes of pioneer Clay County families" have been donated to the exhibit, and Sutton reported that sometimes family members "will sit in rocking chairs on the porches and talk to guests [fairgoers] about how times used to be." But you can't have a village with just houses...  Over the years, many additions followed.  The website states that in 2003 "a replica of an early church" was built.  Now fair visitors could also enjoy "choirs, quartets and stringed instrument groups singing and playing familiar gospel tunes," as well as the opportunity to "browse through books, photos and other memorabilia  dating back as far as 1850." Sutton explained, "Each year we've tried to add something to it as the village continues to grow. This year we've added a live-demonstration saw mill since timber is very popular in this county."  Trees are actually run through this saw mill, and then the lumber is used to build more of the
village.  Talk about wise recycling! Of course, food is a vital part of any community.  The website reports that in 2004, "Master Gardeners from the Clay County Extension Office have volunteered items for planting a small garden with vegetables and flowers.  Some vegetables are even started from heirloom seeds." Many of these plants are "good examples of what could be found growing in the gardens of early pioneer settlers."  Sutton added, "The village also has free food samples, which are very popular - things like black-eyed peas, cabbage and corn bread."  Those with a sweet tooth can then head over to either the Syrup House (for the making of sugar cane syrup), to the  Apple Shed (for the making of cider and jelly), or to the Honey House. The Clay County Agricultural Fair is also very proud of its entertainment.  Sutton explained that over the years they've had formerly up-and-coming stars (who are now legends) such as Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith.  This year they featured Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers. Dustin Lynch (of "She Cranks My Tractor" fame) was another of 2013's popular acts. Down-home music certainly reflects this year's overall fair theme:  "Country Pride... County Wide."  So did the Lawnmower Races, the Washboard Willy Jamboree, the Duct Tape Contest, and the Hog Calling Contest (not to mention the Husband Calling Contest - you can't make this stuff up)... Those with any voice left (after all that Calling and Calling) were then able to shriek with delight over the Midway thrills.  Deggeller Attractions, which Sutton called a "great, great company" provided approximately 40 rides - some of which challenged even the hardiest of stomachs.  These stomachs were soon appeased by this year's favorite, by a wide margin, according to  survey results, fair food:  funnel cakes.  As for the Midway revenue?  It was up 28% from last year.  In fact, 2013 was a banner year in a number of ways.  Total fair attendance was 103,367, a 5.33% increase from last year.  Plus, two attendance records were broken this year: a Sunday record with 14,603 attendees and a Single Day record with 23,199. Many folks were kept in the loop by an effective National advertising campaign.  Sutton explained:  "We spend most of our money on the electronic side of marketing now.  We don't spend nearly as much on print."  One look at the fair's Facebook page bears this out.  There are photos galore, as wellas follow-up entries such as one commemorating Nurses Week in honor of medical fair partners such as hospitals and individual volunteers.  To date, there are almost 15,000 "Likes." When asked about plans for 2014, Sutton said:  "We analyze everything we do at a fair, and if there are problems we fix them."  The emphasis has been on making the event as safe and efficient as possible.  Capital improvements have been a priority; the parking lot and fair walkways were recently expanded.  Next year's dates are April 2nd through 12th and the daily fair schedule complete with sponsors, prices and promotions are already up on the website.

Coburn's Catering is a multi-generational, family-owned company based in the Fort Worth, Texas.  The company is known for its strong reputation in the community, especially as the primary concession provider for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. "I was born into it. My father was born the year my grandfather started it. I started [working] when I was eleven. My fifteen-year-old son started when he was eleven. My eleven-year-old started with it this year," said Steve Coburn, who now is the owner and operator of the family business. "It's not for everyone. You have to love to serve people." Coburn's Catering has been serving the Fort Worth-Dallas area since 1946. Mr. Coburn also commented on what it is like to work with family. "Family business can be great or an absolute nightmare. If everyone gets along then it works. We do stuff together. We like each other so it works. My wife sits eight feet away from me most of the day. My mom sat twelve feet away from me for years. She's semi-retired now." The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is the primary event catered by Coburn's, and they have been serving the stock show for as long as they've been in business, which is gaining on seventy years. Annually, Coburn's Catering seasonally employs between 150 and 170 staff members to work the show from cashiers, prep cooks, grill cooks, to food runners. The company also oversees 12-15 subvendors.  Screening and selecting quality staff is a challenge in and of itself with such numbers. Other challenges present themselves when there are more customers than expected. Someone has to call the suppliers, bring back the product, and then the runners rush the product. To ensure quality service, Coburn's employs a retired health inspector to make sure everything is up to code before the stock show has a current health inspector peruse the stands. One could suppose all the owners have to do is sit around and observe, but this is simply not the truth. Steve Coburn and his father are always present to support their employees and answer customer concerns. "The main thing we do [at the show] is we walk around-Dad and I-we check the stands, make sure everything looks good. We do our very best to solve any customer problems. We jump on it and solve it the best we can," Steve Coburn told CarnivalWarehouse.com. When asked about his average work day, Mr. Coburn remembered what his father always told him, "I only have to work a half day-8:00 AM to 8:00 PM." Coburn's Catering strives to keep their prices comparable with others in the industry. "We don't want our customers to ever think we're gouging them." Mr. Coburn also sincerely cares about the people he employs: "I come here and earn money for my family but I am responsible for everybody else... I feed a whole bunch of families. I have to take care of the people that work for me so they can feed their families. It's a lot of work." What about the rest of the year? How does a catering business stay afloat in this current economy? "We do food service for the Fort Worth Will Rogers Memorial Center," answered Mr. Coburn. This encompasses mainly city events. Additionally, the company provides catering for everything from family to corporate events. CarnivalWarehouse.com asked Mr. Coburn what the secret is to being so successful. "We show up to work. That's the biggest thing. If owners would work everyday... When the phone rings, most of time we answer the phone and are accessible. You show up to work and you work. I'm the first one that turns the morning and generally that last one that leaves."  He also advised, "Returning phone calls, doing what you say you're gonna do is a big deal. How many places do you call where you don't get anyone to call you back. To me it's common sense but to others it's apparently not." Coburn's customers should never doubt that they genuinely care about them. Since he went right into the family business, he says that he's never had to worry about himself or his job, only others. "Married almost twenty years and don't have to sell myself anymore." Coburn stated that word of mouth is the biggest "seller" for him. While Coburn's Catering has a website the owner calls "functional" and a Facebook page, he had this to say about advertising in general, "We have a strong reputation, been doing it for sixty-seven years. We're doing something right."