State Fair

Rob Salamida Interview Salamida’s Original State Fair Spiedie Sauce

Rob Salamida (Salamida’s Original State Fair Spiedie Sauce) Rob Salamida is the founder of Salamida’s (Original) State Fair Spiedie Sauce. Up until 1975 no one had thought to bottle a marinade dressing. Then along came Rob Salamida. What your about to read is what it really takes to be an entrepreneur. I’ve interviewed a lot of entrepreneurs in the past, but none went into as much detail as Rob Salamida did. What Rob Samida did you cannot learn in a college classroom, which is odd because that’s where we start…...

Ricky Interview Circus Sideshows of Ricky’s

Swordswallowers. Fire-breathers. Human Blockheads. Snake Charmers. They use to be a staple on midways at State Fairs throughout the U.S. Then about 20 years, it all stopped. But, with the retro-movement that seems to be in vogue these days—–sideshows are back. We caught up with one such sideshow—–Circus Sideshows of Ricky’s—–at the New York State Fair, in Syracuse, New York. Sideshows owner Ricky spoke with us about his business. Q – Ricky, what’s your background? How did you get involved with this business? A – I was born into it.…...

Rick West Interview Author of ” Pickled Punks and Girlie Shows: A Life Spent on the Midway’s of America

(Author of ” Pickled Punks and Girlie Shows: A Life Spent on the Midway’s of America – Schiffer Books) Rick West knows a thing or two about midways. You see, he spent his whole life traveling the carnival circuit. And now he’s written a book detailing that adventure. It’s called “Pickled Punks and Girlie Shows: A Life Spent on the Midway’s of America”. By the way, pickled punks is carnival lingo for bottled babies. Just thought you’d like to know that. It all makes sense when you read the book.…...

Paul Basilio Interview Basilio’s

His stand has been a New York State Fair tradition since 1956. The stand is called Basilio’s and the man who runs it is Paul Basilio. Q. Paul I guess this would be the most important question, how are you related to Carmen Basilio? A. Carmen is my Brother. Q. For some reason I always thought that was his stand. Did he ever have any involvement in that stand? A. Not really. See, Norm Rothchild got me in there. I think he used a wheelbarrow to get me in there.…...

Patches Interview James E. Strates Fair

Along the Midway at the New York State Fair, James E. Strates operates a stand called “Hit The Red”. A guy, with clown make-up invites passerby’s, well, I should say, insults passerby’s to dunk him in the water. $2.00 gets you 5 balls to try your luck. “Patches” has been a bloke (his word for what he does) for 9 years now, and this is his last year. “Patches” talked with us about his job at James E. Strates, during this year’s run (2009) of the New York State Fair.…...

Nicholas J. Interview World Gate Entertainment

World Gate Introduction 2017 WGE from World Gate Entertainment on Vimeo. Nicholas J. is the owner of World Gate Entertainment, an agency that provides models who perform as Living Floral Trees, Living Topiaries, Living Statues, Stilt Puppets and Marionettes, not to mention Toy Soldiers. What an entertainment offering it is! There’s nothing like it in the world which is probably why Nicholas J. called it World Gate Entertainment. Q – Nicholas, how is business for World Gate Entertainment these days? A – It’s good. It’s wonderful. We have so much…...