Sebring is first stop of fair season
News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS Ride operator Charles Gouker makes sure his ride is working correctly Thursday in Sebring. The Highlands County Fair opens today at 5:00 p.m.By SAMANTHA GHOLAR
February 11, 2011
SEBRING -- High-lands County is the first stop of the 43-week fair season for Reithoffer Shows Inc. The company has been going strong since 1896 with generations of men and women working hard to provide safe, affordable and fun experiences for all.
Former general manager Mike Bronchik was busy Thursday morning assisting manager Gary Alberry in the inspection checklists and various other details.
News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS David Vaughn and Kesha Scott ready a ride to be inspected before opening day.
The Highlands County Fair will open today with tons of rides, food, and games for all to enjoy. "We have 27 rides and about 50 staff members who work them," Bronchik said. "This year we have a new piece, the Dutch Wheel."
The Dutch Wheel is one of the highest portable Ferris wheels. At 120 feet, the Dutch Wheel is sure to be a great addition to the traditional thrills at the fair.
Bronchik explained the hard work and labor it takes to stay in the carnival business generation after generation. He himself was born into the business. Both Bronchik's father and grandfather worked in the carnival business, and Bronchik as well as his own son continue the tradition today.
"We got here last Saturday. We are taking our time setting up. It can all be put up in a day, but we spread it out over five days so we get it right and so the inspections go smoothly," explained Bronchik.
News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS Ernest Feaster checks light bulbs Thursday morning in preparation for opening day of the Highlands County Fair in Sebring.
One of the most tedious inspections belongs to the popular ride Starship 2000. The ride completely encloses standing patrons up against padded panels. Riders then experience pressure three times the force of gravity as the machine spins to maximum speeds up to 24 rpm.
"Starship is inspected twice," said Bronchik. "Once when he get here, then again at the finish once it's put together. It's added safety precaution for this ride because there are so many components to it."
Reithoffer Shows is also taking a step into the future by becoming a "green" fair. Bobby Hepburn, one of the show's maintenance workers, stated that the company has a five-year Green Plan and is about halfway through the process.
"It's a $3 million project to change all the lights in the rides to LED bulbs and that's what we are doing," said Hepburn. "Each of these LED bulbs cost around $2.66 each and several of the rides -- the Himalaya, Pharaoh's Fury, the Dutch Wheel -- they're all totally LED now," Hepburn explained.
News-Sun photo by KATRA SIMMONS Glenn Meritt prepares Scott's Grill for the Health Department inspector Thursday morning at Firemen's Field in Sebring.
Hepburn also stated that the sister Ferris wheel that is in use at the Florida State Fair in Tampa owned by Reithoffer Shows cost $390,000 to make it a "green" ride.
"When we complete this, it'll lower so much costs. We can use less electricity in the trailers, then that lets us use less generators, less diesel for the generators, so it makes a big difference," Hepburn said.
The Highlands County Fair is located at Firemen's Field in Sebring and will open doors today at 5 p.m. Various livestock shows, entertainment, displays and exhibits will take place throughout the week at the convention center adjacent to the fairgrounds. Reithoffer armbands are $20 each day of the fair and various discounts will be available for students, military and seniors.
For more information visit www.hcfair.net
February 11, 2011
SEBRING -- High-lands County is the first stop of the 43-week fair season for Reithoffer Shows Inc. The company has been going strong since 1896 with generations of men and women working hard to provide safe, affordable and fun experiences for all.
Former general manager Mike Bronchik was busy Thursday morning assisting manager Gary Alberry in the inspection checklists and various other details.
News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS David Vaughn and Kesha Scott ready a ride to be inspected before opening day.The Highlands County Fair will open today with tons of rides, food, and games for all to enjoy. "We have 27 rides and about 50 staff members who work them," Bronchik said. "This year we have a new piece, the Dutch Wheel."
The Dutch Wheel is one of the highest portable Ferris wheels. At 120 feet, the Dutch Wheel is sure to be a great addition to the traditional thrills at the fair.
Bronchik explained the hard work and labor it takes to stay in the carnival business generation after generation. He himself was born into the business. Both Bronchik's father and grandfather worked in the carnival business, and Bronchik as well as his own son continue the tradition today.
"We got here last Saturday. We are taking our time setting up. It can all be put up in a day, but we spread it out over five days so we get it right and so the inspections go smoothly," explained Bronchik.
News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS Ernest Feaster checks light bulbs Thursday morning in preparation for opening day of the Highlands County Fair in Sebring.One of the most tedious inspections belongs to the popular ride Starship 2000. The ride completely encloses standing patrons up against padded panels. Riders then experience pressure three times the force of gravity as the machine spins to maximum speeds up to 24 rpm.
"Starship is inspected twice," said Bronchik. "Once when he get here, then again at the finish once it's put together. It's added safety precaution for this ride because there are so many components to it."
Reithoffer Shows is also taking a step into the future by becoming a "green" fair. Bobby Hepburn, one of the show's maintenance workers, stated that the company has a five-year Green Plan and is about halfway through the process.
"It's a $3 million project to change all the lights in the rides to LED bulbs and that's what we are doing," said Hepburn. "Each of these LED bulbs cost around $2.66 each and several of the rides -- the Himalaya, Pharaoh's Fury, the Dutch Wheel -- they're all totally LED now," Hepburn explained.
News-Sun photo by KATRA SIMMONS Glenn Meritt prepares Scott's Grill for the Health Department inspector Thursday morning at Firemen's Field in Sebring.Hepburn also stated that the sister Ferris wheel that is in use at the Florida State Fair in Tampa owned by Reithoffer Shows cost $390,000 to make it a "green" ride.
"When we complete this, it'll lower so much costs. We can use less electricity in the trailers, then that lets us use less generators, less diesel for the generators, so it makes a big difference," Hepburn said.
The Highlands County Fair is located at Firemen's Field in Sebring and will open doors today at 5 p.m. Various livestock shows, entertainment, displays and exhibits will take place throughout the week at the convention center adjacent to the fairgrounds. Reithoffer armbands are $20 each day of the fair and various discounts will be available for students, military and seniors.
For more information visit www.hcfair.net
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