Wade Shows
Wade Shows, Inc. operates one of North America's largest portable traveling carnivals, owning over 100 rides including the country's largest variety of portable roller coasters, and serves over 15 million attendees annually at state fairs, county fairs, and community events across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1912
- HeadquartersLivonia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Wade Shows does
Wade Shows, Inc. is a Michigan-incorporated private company that operates one of the largest traveling carnival midways in North America, founded in 1912 by Lee Wade and owned and directed by Frank Zaitshik for over 30 years. The business builds, maintains, and deploys a portable fleet of over 100 amusement rides and attractions organized into four tiers — Spectacular, Thrill, Family, and Kiddie — including the largest variety of portable roller coasters in North America (four major coasters featuring RC-48 and Comet II, the country's two largest portable roller coasters), a Giant Wheel, Mega Drop (over 135 feet), and the newly added KMG XXL. Support services include state fair quality food concessions, midway games, the Fair Pass / TapNGo digital ticketing system for ride credits and wristbands, the Gold Access VIP line-skipping program, and midway amenities (shaded seating, misting stations, landscaping).
The company sells through a hybrid model. B2B revenue comes from booking contracts with state and county fair boards — including Oklahoma, North Carolina, Missouri, South Florida, Florida, Alabama, Delaware, San Antonio Livestock Show, and Alabama National Fairs — plus equipment rentals to other event operators at $40,000 to $200,000+ per engagement. B2C revenue is generated at events via advance online ticket sales (through Innovative Ticketing and direct website), on-site kiosk transactions (Fair Pass / TapNGo), and traditional ticket booths, with advance pricing typically $25-$30 wristbands versus $35-$48 at the gate and flash sale promotions. Events are booked 12-18 months in advance and Wade Shows services over 15 million attendees annually across roughly two dozen named events plus a longer tail of regional fairs, consistently ranking in the top five US amusement companies by CarnivalWarehouse.com.
Wade Shows firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wade Shows
- Legal name
- Wade Shows, Inc.
- Website
- https://wadeshowsinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1912
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Wade Shows, Inc. operates one of North America's largest portable traveling carnivals, owning over 100 rides including the country's largest variety of portable roller coasters, and serves over 15 million attendees annually at state fairs, county fairs, and community events across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Wade Shows is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Livonia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Wade Shows business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Ride Tickets and Wristbands: Revenue generated from selling individual ride tickets/credits and unlimited ride wristbands at fairs and events. Pricing varies by event with advance online sales and on-site purchases at kiosks.
- Equipment Rentals: Rental of carnival equipment to events. Most rentals range from $40,000 to $200,000 and above depending on scope and duration.
- Food and Game Concessions: State fair quality food concessions and midway games generate revenue through food sales and game play. Concessions have won numerous awards of excellence.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Jefferson Co. Fair - Advance Online |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Sterlingfest Art & Music Fair - Advance Sale |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Flat Rock Summer Blast - Advance Online |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Uncle Sam Jam - Advance Online |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Holy Family Summerfest - Advance Sale |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Volusia County Fair - Credit System |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Missouri State Fair - Advance Wristband |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Equipment Rentals |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Wade Shows product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wade Shows operates a traveling carnival business that delivers portable amusement rides, food concessions, and midway games to fairs and events across North America. Its ride inventory spans Spectacular, Thrill, Family, and Kiddie categories, anchored by four major roller coasters including the RC-48 and Comet II. Revenue is generated primarily through on-site ride credits, unlimited ride wristbands, food sales, game play, and B2B equipment rentals to fair organizers.
Product overview
Wade Shows is a mobile carnival company operating portable amusement rides across North America. Founded in 1912, the company offers a comprehensive suite of ride attractions organized into five ride categories: Spectacular Rides (including four roller coasters and giant wheels), Thrill Rides, Family Rides, and Kiddie Rides. The company also operates Food Concessions and Midway Games. The ride portfolio spans over 100 amusement rides and attractions. Supporting services include Fair Pass/TapNGo digital ticketing for wristband and credit purchases, Gold Access VIP line-skipping program, and Midway Amenities featuring landscaping and shaded seating. Wade Shows services major state fairs including Oklahoma State Fair, North Carolina State Fair, Missouri State Fair, and others, serving over 15 million people annually.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Gold Access: VIP experience allowing guests to skip lines at rides with special gold and black checkerboard lines, along with potential discounts, VIP seating, and premium parking at select locations.
- Fair Pass (TapNGo)
Products and services
- Roller Coasters Portfolio of four portable roller coasters including Mighty Mouse (spinning coaster), Super Cyclone (fun coaster with quick turns and sudden drops), RC-48 (largest fully portable roller coaster in the US, transported on seven trailers), and Comet II (largest in fleet, travels on 10 trailers), deployed at fairs and events for thrill-seeking guests.
- Spectacular Rides Unique, big rides designed to create a 'WOW' experience, including the KMG XXL and Mega Drop (North America's tallest portable drop tower at over 135 feet), deployed at major fairs and events.
- Thrill Rides Fast-action rides including Street Fighter 360 (Technical Park swings over the top), Giant Wheel (over 100 feet tall with spacious gondolas), Cyclops, Mega Drop, and other high-thrill attractions aimed at teen and adult guests at fairs.
- Family Rides Rides the whole family can ride together, including Tilt-A-Whirl, Sizzler, Cliff Hanger (simulated hang gliding), Wacky Worm roller coaster, Carousel, Wave Swinger, and Sky Ride, deployed for multi-generational audiences at fairs.
- Kiddie Rides Rides for young children featuring character themes (bears, dragons, monkeys), including Up Up & Away, Charlie Chopper, Bumble Bee, Merry-Go-Round, Happy Swing, Mini Dumbos, and various Umbrella rides (cars, cycles, tractors), targeted at families with small children.
- Food Concessions State fair quality food concessions including Turkey Legs, Elephant Ears, Corn Dogs, Pizza, Burgers, Pork Joint, Taco Joint, Sirloin Tips, Fried Dough, and BBQ, with color-coordinated stands that have won numerous awards of excellence.
- Midway Games Carnival midway games including Balloon a Rama, Balloon Bust, Big Basketball, Midway Games, Big Machine Gun, Gold Fish, Water Race, and Big Water Race, operated with state-of-the-art equipment that has won awards at major events.
- Fair Pass / TapNGo Digital Ticketing Digital ticketing system using automated TapNGo kiosks that allow guests to purchase ride credits and wristbands electronically, reducing contact between employees and guests and minimizing wait times at ticket boxes.
- Gold Access VIP Program VIP experience program that allows guests to skip lines at rides using special gold and black checkerboard lines, including a VIP lanyard, special wristband, and at select events food discounts, VIP seating, and premium parking.
- Carnival Equipment Rentals B2B rental of carnival equipment (rides, games, food concessions) to event organizers, with most rentals ranging from $40,000 to $200,000 and above depending on scope and duration, booked through a direct inquiry process.
Quantifiable outcome
- Services over 15 million people each year
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Wade Shows
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Wade Shows technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Wade Shows partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Frank ZaitshikcoreOwnership and direction of Wade Shows for the past 30 years. Daughter Marina Zaitshik-Small and son-in-law Johan Small purchased KMG XXL ride, demonstrating family involvement in business growth.
- Innovative TicketingcoreThird-party online ticketing platform used for selling advance event tickets and wristbands. Provides digital ticketing infrastructure with convenience fees.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Wade Shows competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- North American Midway Entertainment: One of the largest US traveling carnival operators serving major state fairs. Directly comparable to Wade Shows in scale, midways, ride portfolio, and B2B fair-board relationships.
- Deggeller Attractions: Established US carnival company providing midway operations at state and county fairs. Overlaps Wade Shows in ride categories, fair-segment customer base, and seasonal event-driven revenue model.
- Powers Great American Midways: Traveling carnival operator with a multi-state fair footprint and broad ride portfolio. Comparable to Wade Shows on event-driven GTM, ride-class mix, and state-fair customer concentration.
- Amusements of America: Long-running US carnival company serving fairs and festivals nationwide. Comparable in ride portfolio breadth, fair-segment focus, and B2B booking model with state/county fair boards.
- Reithoffer Shows: Multi-generation family-owned traveling carnival operating at major US fairs. Direct competitor in the same segment with similar fleet scale, family-ownership structure, and state-fair bookings.
- Talley Amusements: US carnival operator with strong regional fair presence and broad ride categories. Overlaps Wade Shows in event-driven distribution, mid-sized to large fairs, and ride/food/game mix.
- Big Rock Amusements: Traveling carnival serving fairs and special events in the US. Comparable in midway services (rides, games, food), fair-segment customer base, and seasonal booking model.
- Goldstar Events: US carnival and event entertainment operator. Comparable on midway production, ride/food concession mix, and serving regional fair and festival customers.
Broad incumbents
- Six Flags Entertainment: Large fixed-site regional theme park operator competing for the same family entertainment dollar. Not a direct competitor (fixed-site vs. traveling), but shares thrill/family ride categories, guest demographics, and competes for share-of-wallet on family outings.
- Cedar Fair / Cedar Point: Major fixed-site amusement park operator with portfolio of roller coasters. Comparable on thrill-ride experience and target demographic, though operates a different (fixed-site, season-pass) business model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Wade Shows social profiles
Digital presenceWade Shows financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wade Shows leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Wade Shows funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wade Shows M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wade Shows
What does Wade Shows do?
Wade Shows operates a traveling carnival business that delivers portable amusement rides, food concessions, and midway games to fairs and events across North America. Its ride inventory spans Spectacular, Thrill, Family, and Kiddie categories, anchored by four major roller coasters including the RC-48 and Comet II. Revenue is generated primarily through on-site ride credits, unlimited ride wristbands, food sales, game play, and B2B equipment rentals to fair organizers.
Is Wade Shows a public or private company?
Wade Shows is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Wade Shows founded?
Wade Shows was founded in 1912. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Wade Shows based?
Wade Shows is headquartered in Livonia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wade Shows make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ride Tickets and Wristbands are the primary driver. The others are equipment Rentals and food and Game Concessions.
Who are Wade Shows's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are North American Midway Entertainment, Deggeller Attractions, Powers Great American Midways, Amusements of America, Reithoffer Shows, Talley Amusements, Big Rock Amusements and Goldstar Events. Broad incumbents are Six Flags Entertainment and Cedar Fair / Cedar Point.
Does Wade Shows have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wade Shows.