Strates Shows is America's only railroad carnival

Traveling carnival

A traveling carnival is an amusement show that may be made up of amusement rides, food vendors, merchandise vendors, games of chance and skill, thrill acts, animal acts or sideshow curiosities. A traveling carnival is not set up at a permanent location, like an amusement park, but is moved from...

. It travels the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 during a seven-month season, transporting personnel and equipment with 61 rail cars and 34 trucks. Traveling with the show are some 400 employees and families who operate the many rides, games and concessions.

History

Strates Shows has a history dating back to 1923 when James E. Strates, a Greek

Greeks

The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....

 immigrant, began his first show. Mr.Strates came to America in 1909 and, like many immigrants, worked at a number of odd jobs. In 1919, he joined a carnival athletic show as a wrestler taking on all challengers. In 1923, David Strates acquired Southern Tier Shows and in 1932 changed its name to James E. Strates Shows, after his son. Mr. Strates continued to build and manage the carnival until his death in 1959. At that time his son, E. James Strates, assumed responsibility for the carnival and still operates it today. The crew that is on the train can unload all of the equipment cars totaling more than a miles worth in about 18 hours.

One of the oldest stops on the circuit is the Erie County Fair

Erie County Fair

The Erie County Fair is a fair held in Hamburg in Erie County, New York every August. It is the second largest fair in New York topped only by Great New York State Fair which is larger, and the third largest county fair in the United States, often drawing over one million in attendance.The first...

, also known as America's Fair, in Hamburg, New York

Hamburg (town), New York

Hamburg is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 56,259.The Town of Hamburg is on the western border of the county and is south of Buffalo, New York. Hamburg is one of the "Southtowns" in Erie County...

, which started its relationship with the Strates in 1924.

Some Of The 100 Rides Of The Midway

Giant Wheel

Top Spin (ride)

Top Spin (ride)

The Top Spin is a thrill ride developed by HUSS Maschinenfabrik, and is the generic name for a series of rides from other manufacturers that follow the same principle. The ride consists of a passenger platform suspended between two counterweighted arms...

King's Circus

Fireball

KMG Fireball

Wave Swinger

Zipper

Hang Glider

Starship 2000

Cliff Hanger

Sky Flyer

Titanic Inflatable

The Round Up

Mini Indi

Bumper Cars

Dodgem

Century Wheel

Dragon Express

Monkey Maze

Orbiter

Zyklon

Mini Swing

Haunted Mansion

Musik Express

Himalaya

Sea Ray

Drop Tower

Tornado

Enterprise

Carosel

Thunderbolt