COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Expositions Commission has completed the more than six-month process to select a ride provider for the Ohio State Fair. Today, the commission named Talley Amusements from Fort Worth, Texas, as the carnival ride provider for a four-year contract beginning in 2019.

“Talley Amusements is a rising star in the amusement business,” explained Ohio State Fair General Manager Virgil Strickler. “Talley’s commitment to safety, ride maintenance and quality, and professionalism contributed to the company receiving the highest score in our robust selection process.”

A Request for Proposal (RFP) was distributed to carnival companies throughout the country in February, with proposals received from five companies: Amusements of America, Belle City Amusements, Kissell Entertainment, Reithoffer Shows and Talley Amusements.

A selection team comprised of the executive officers of the Ohio Expositions Commission, as well as four Ohio Expo Center & State Fair staff members, completed a comprehensive process evaluating proposals based on a number of criteria including:

• Quality of rides, games, shows and other concessions
• Current operation/management philosophies and polices
• Past experience and previous performance for the last three years (including daily timeliness of ride, game and attraction opening; frequency which rides and shows are not operating; ride, game and show general appearance; lot cleanliness; personnel cleanliness; proper posting of information and signage)
• Safety (including current safety policies and procedures as well as a review of all general liability claims and loss run outlining serious injuries or accidents)

 

The top three finalists, Talley Amusements, Amusements of America and Reithoffer Shows, were invited to Columbus to make presentations before the selection team in May. Members of the team then visited each carnival finalist while in operation at a fair in order to view and evaluate rides, record-keeping and operational procedures.

“Talley Amusements is honored to be the next amusement provider at the Ohio State Fair,” said Tom Talley, President of Talley Amusements. “We look forward to putting our 200-plus years of combined experience to work, delivering the safest and best-possible entertainment experience, adding another successful chapter to the proud Ohio State Fair tradition. Our commitment to the people of Ohio and the State Fair is to provide a destination experience, while continuing to set establishing industry best-practices for safety and quality.”

Talley Amusements has provided rides at many fairs and festivals, including the Iowa State Fair, State Fair of Texas and Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

Amusements of America, owned and operated by the Vivona family, provided rides at the Ohio State Fair the previous 26 years, with the most recent contract concluding with the 2018 Ohio State Fair.

“For more than a quarter of a century Amusements of America has been a great supporter of the Ohio State Fair, from contributing to youth scholarships by purchasing animals in the Sale of Champions Livestock Auction to enhancing the experience at the Ohio State Fair by providing rides and games,” explained Strickler. “We greatly value the Vivona family’s lasting partnership and support.”

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