Vivonas waiting in the wings for Florence fair operations
By DWIGHT DANA Published: October 15, 2010
FLORENCE, SC --The varsity squad of Amusements of America (AOA) consisting of brothers Morris, 90, Dominic, 78, and Phil Vivona, 75, provides the rides and everything involved with the Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fair under way through Saturday at the fairgrounds.
The family has been in the carnival business since 1940. Before that they were in the frozen custard business.
But the junior varsity squad is ready to move up and take over first-string play from the varsity.
The JVs consist of cousins John, his brother Rob, and Marco and Dominic Vivona Jr.
John is the maintenance supervisor for AOA and the fairgrounds; Marco travels with the circuit and is in charge of all rides; Dominic Jr. is the comptroller; and Rob was not present because he was en route to Charleston to get things ready for the Coastal Carolina Fair.
“We think they are about ready to pass things on over to us,” Marco said.
“We hope we are coming on strong,” John said, “because we’re all good at what we do.”
John likes the creative and mechanical aspects of his job. He is rebuilding a 15-year-old ride titled “Music Express.” It’s a musical ride that swirls around in a circle.
“It will be better than it was when it was new when I finish rebuilding it,” John said. “We plan to have it on line next year.”
Marco said it’s a lot of work setting up the rides. The fair closes Saturday. The rides will be disassembled that night and taken to North Carolina on Sunday. Workers will spend Sunday night getting them ready for the next fair.
“It’s tiring, but we never get tired of it,” Marco said.
“We grew up in the business,” John said. “It’s in our blood.”
And it’s been there for a long time.
The Vivonas started out with a frozen custard machine that they took to different carnivals. They made the custard in front of their customers and they had to dip it.
But the owner of the carnival told them in 1940 that he was putting in his own ice cream.
They decided to start their own carnival. They purchased a Ferris wheel that was left over from the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
They took it and the ice cream machine and played local festivals in New Jersey. They expanded by buying a merry-go-round, a swing ride, an Octopus and more equipment.
Amusements of America’s first southern headquarters were in Sumter from 1954 to 1972. They moved to Miami from 1972 to 2008.
The company is now headquartered in Florence.
John and Marco both live in Florence.
“Moving to Florence was the best move we ever made,” John said. “Our wives and kids love it here.”
Although the 2010 fair season will end next month, the Vivonas are planning a treat for the Pee Dee from Nov. 26 through Jan. 2, 2011.
“We are going to have a Christmas park out here at the fairgrounds,” John said. “We will have a Santa’s village, petting zoo, rides, food and all kinds of other good stuff for the kids.”
By DWIGHT DANA Published: October 15, 2010
FLORENCE, SC --The varsity squad of Amusements of America (AOA) consisting of brothers Morris, 90, Dominic, 78, and Phil Vivona, 75, provides the rides and everything involved with the Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fair under way through Saturday at the fairgrounds.
The family has been in the carnival business since 1940. Before that they were in the frozen custard business.
But the junior varsity squad is ready to move up and take over first-string play from the varsity.
The JVs consist of cousins John, his brother Rob, and Marco and Dominic Vivona Jr.
John is the maintenance supervisor for AOA and the fairgrounds; Marco travels with the circuit and is in charge of all rides; Dominic Jr. is the comptroller; and Rob was not present because he was en route to Charleston to get things ready for the Coastal Carolina Fair.
“We think they are about ready to pass things on over to us,” Marco said.
“We hope we are coming on strong,” John said, “because we’re all good at what we do.”
John likes the creative and mechanical aspects of his job. He is rebuilding a 15-year-old ride titled “Music Express.” It’s a musical ride that swirls around in a circle.
“It will be better than it was when it was new when I finish rebuilding it,” John said. “We plan to have it on line next year.”
Marco said it’s a lot of work setting up the rides. The fair closes Saturday. The rides will be disassembled that night and taken to North Carolina on Sunday. Workers will spend Sunday night getting them ready for the next fair.
“It’s tiring, but we never get tired of it,” Marco said.
“We grew up in the business,” John said. “It’s in our blood.”
And it’s been there for a long time.
The Vivonas started out with a frozen custard machine that they took to different carnivals. They made the custard in front of their customers and they had to dip it.
But the owner of the carnival told them in 1940 that he was putting in his own ice cream.
They decided to start their own carnival. They purchased a Ferris wheel that was left over from the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
They took it and the ice cream machine and played local festivals in New Jersey. They expanded by buying a merry-go-round, a swing ride, an Octopus and more equipment.
Amusements of America’s first southern headquarters were in Sumter from 1954 to 1972. They moved to Miami from 1972 to 2008.
The company is now headquartered in Florence.
John and Marco both live in Florence.
“Moving to Florence was the best move we ever made,” John said. “Our wives and kids love it here.”
Although the 2010 fair season will end next month, the Vivonas are planning a treat for the Pee Dee from Nov. 26 through Jan. 2, 2011.
“We are going to have a Christmas park out here at the fairgrounds,” John said. “We will have a Santa’s village, petting zoo, rides, food and all kinds of other good stuff for the kids.”
No comments:
Post a Comment