Fair Game with Robert Smith

Today’s guest is an expert on timing, having been named CEO of his fair in the middle of a pandemic. He’s got a great story to tell. From the Northwest Washington Fair, this is Chris Pickering.

Kady Porterfield is one of the youngest fair managers in our industry. Her first job in the industry at 21 years old was Agriculture Director for the Central Washington State Fair in Washington. She’s now the director of the Kittitas Valley Event Center in Washington. We talk about her challenges as a young fair manager as well as how she and her team managed the Covid19 pandemic in 2020.

John Sykes is the president and CEO of the East Texas State Fair in Tyler, TX. Their annual fair runs in September where they welcome 100,000 guests through their gates. John and I sat down to talk not only the pandemic but the fun and good times we enjoy so much in our fair industry.

Josh Woods is the executive director of the Greater Gulf State Fair in Mobile, Alabama. We discuss the decision making process he and his young board (all under 40 years old) made in navigating the pandemic and actually hosting the fair in 2020.

Bryan Blair is the director of the York State Fair in York, Pennsylvania. We talk all things pandemic and his goals for the future of the fair.

Our final episode of season 2 features the CEO of one of the largest county fairs in America. Michele Richards joins us from the OC Fair office in Costa Mesa, CA. We talk the current state of fairs in California, how the OC Fair has supported their community and what the future of her fair looks like. Guest Info: OC Fair Website

Andrew Vandepopulier is a producer for Haas & Wilkerson Insurance. We sit down and talk what changes may be in store for event policies in the future, the impact of the pandemic on H&W, plus, Andrew has a new baby. All that and more! Guest Info: Haas & Wilkerson Insurance Website

Randall Reichert has 25 years experience in the concessions business. His business, Hot Wisconsin Cheese, has served fair guests across the United States and Canada. We talk today about Covid-19 and the future of his concessions business. Guest Info: Hot Wisconsin Cheese on Facebook

Today’s episode takes us north of the border as we welcome Amanda Frigon. Amanda is the fair director for Northlands in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where they produce K-Days every summer. We talk about the challenges her event face and the current state of the pandemic response in Edmonton. Guest Info: Northlands Website

Kyle Palmer is an agent for Artists and Attractions. On today’s episode he shares his 2020 story and we speak candidly about potential contract changes entertainers need to consider moving forward into 2021. Guest Info: Artists and Attractions Website

On today’s episode I sit down with the fair manager for the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa, Jeremy Parsons. We talked about how he helped navigate the Clay County Fair in 2020. Plus Jeremy shares how sometimes staying semi-open is actually more expensive that closing outright. Guest Info: Clay County Fair Website

They’re called Waffle Chix - but they’re not chicks. Concessionaire newcomer, Chris Taylor has already appeared on Carnival Eats 4 different times and has built an amazing client base in a very short time. He joins us today to share Waffle Chix 2020 story. Guest Info: Waffle Chix on Facebook

Today we talk with Jimmy Earhart, the owner of Sea Lion Splash, a terrific show experience for guests that show cases both educational and entertaining demonstrations with sea lions. We discuss the unique impact of the pandemic on animals acts plus we talk about the new compound Earhart is building in Texas. All that and more! Guest Info: Sea Lion Splash website

Eric Wofford is the president of the Arizona Fairs Association, Vice President of the Western Fairs Association and also fair manager of the Yuma County Fair in Arizona. Guest Info: Yuma County Fair Website

Today’s guests are a duo of children’s entertainers. Their high energy show is fun for kids and families. They join us from their home outside Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They’re the first Canadians we’ve had on the show this season and they bring a unique look at how the pandemic has impacted Canada. Guest Info: Team T&J Website Team T&J Facebook

Suzanne Neve is the executive director for the Florida Festivals and Events Association. The FFEA is the membership body for festival and event planners in the state fo Florida. We talk about the effect Covid-19 has had on the Florida events market and what the future of Florida special events could look like. Guest Info: FFEA Website

Strates Shows, based out of Orlando, FL is the last carnival operator in America to travel by train. On today’s show, Jay Strates shares the far reaching impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on his company. Jay has deep roots within this industry. His knowledge and experience within the industry make this a can’t miss show. Guest Info: Strates Shows Website Strates Shows Facebook

On today’s show I interview an absolute legend. Dennis Lee was born with entertainment in his blood. With his band, Dennis’ show is non-stop entertainment, comedy and fun. Watch out for your momma at the show. Dennis might just steal her heart. Guest Info: Dennis Lee on Facebook

Chef Landry joins us today from his home in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Lake Charles area has been under tremendous pressure in 2020. Not only have they faced a pandemic, they’ve also faced directs hits from Hurricanes Laura and Iota. Scott and I discuss the stress of the pandemic and how these two massive storms antagonized an already desperate situation. Guest Info: Chef Landry Show Info: Faceb...

Today’s show welcomes Erie County Fair CEO, Jessica Underberg. We talk about the state of the pandemic, its impact on the Erie County Fair and how our industry is responding. Guest Info: Erie County Fair Show Info: Facebook Instagram Website

Scott Tindle is a former fair manager and entrepreneur. He’s been a guest on the hit television show Shark Tank. On today’s episode we talk Shark Tank, the current state of business and how businesses can survive this pandemic.

Today I’m joined by Alan Bruess. Alan is a fellow podcast host. His show, “The Tailgate Entertainer” is a must listen podcast. He also develops attractions within our industry. We talk creativity, fairs, pandemic life and more on today’s episode.

Today I’m joined by Kevin Ridgeway and Kristen Johnson of Lady Houdini. We talk about the motor vehicle crash that nearly took their lives, their resiliency and how they’ve managed the 2020 pandemic. Guest Info: Lady Houdini Website Facebook Show Info: Facebook Instagram Website

When Dan Mourning took over the New Mexico State Fair he was facing a fair that was in crisis. They were in trouble financially and not a good neighbor to their community. They had a massive image crisis. On the show Dan shares some of those challenges and how he and his team turned things around. Guest Info: New Mexico State Fair Show Info: Facebook Instagram Website

Coleen Gilboy joins us from the Verde Valley Fair in Cottonwood, AZ. We discuss the impact the Covid19 pandemic has had on her small town of Cottonwood, Arizona. Guest Info: Verde Valley Fair Show Info: Facebook Instagram Website