The Post-Standard’s Mark Weiner has a nice article on Sunday’s front page about the Wade Shows, the midway carnival that we’ll see for the first time on Thursday. It looks like they will have around 63 rides at the New York State Fair and the Wade website has likewise been update to list 64 by our last count.
Weiner made a visit to the Wade midway at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington and filed a story with his observations, photos and some inside information. He did, however, make an error that will no doubt leave many local midway mavens scratching their heads.
The article states that Wade will debut a ride called the Rainbow in Syracuse, but anyone who has been wandering the pavement under the Strates Shows midway here in Syracuse knows that the Rainbow was featured many times and it appeared exactly as it does in the photo in the Post article (and in this shot from the Wade website).
Weiner quotes the Wade people as saying it’s the only Rainbow traveling in North America and that may be currently true, but only if the one Strates erected here for years is no longer in operation. Not likely, as we’re all but certain that the Rainbow was soaring above the State Fair midway last year.
That huge roller coaster they’re bringing in sounds enticing, but we also wonder which traditionally favorite rides won’t be here this year. The Wade website doesn’t show the iconic Wave Swinger, seen in the State Fair Hound masthead. We also aren’t expecting the Top Spin, the ride that gave daredevil riders their midway cred.
But Weiner’s article confirms that Wade is not Strates and when the gates open on Thursday we can experience it for ourselves, count the screams, hear the laughter and check our pulse rates before deciding how we like our new midway.
David Doran
Will miss Strates Shows, the arrival and departure of the show train and their fabuluos midway. They worked very hard to make the fair a memorable time and a great event. Still not sure that contract was done above board, just one of those feelings,
admin
I have mixed feelings about it. Strates was a great tradition and they seemed like old friends. But new, different and fresh can be very exciting, so I’m withholding comment until I experience Wade Shows in action. That train was a real slice of old-fashioned Americana. It’s a loss, but the fact that Wade can come in earlier to set up creates ride options that weren’t available before. I saw it yesterday (check back later for photos) and can’t wait to see it completed and operating.
AS far as the contract being above board, you may have feelings related to the Fair’s past, when politics ruled. I won’t say there’s no political influence at all anymore, but I can tell you that I have confidence in the integrity of the acting director, Troy Waffner. He’s a real pro.
Thanks for the comment, David. I’ll be posting daily from now to the end of the Fair, so I’d appreciate you reading and replying. State Fair Hound is gaining momentum, so please mention us to your friends. See you at the Fair.