Company type | Privately held company |
---|---|
Industry | Amusement rides |
Founded | 1950s |
Headquarters | Fryeburg, Maine, U.S. |
Key people | Bud Gilmore (former owner) Jeanette Gilmore (current owner) Robby Driskill (manager) |
Products | Amusement ride and traveling carnival management |
Website | https://smokeysgreatershows.com/ |
Smokey's Greater Shows is a traveling carnival midway company based in Fryeburg, Maine, United States. It provides amusement rides, games and concessions for local, county and state fairs throughout Maine.[1] It appeared at the Fryeburg Fair for over forty years, before its partnership ended in 2022.[2]
Many of its attractions are unique, including its Giant Gondola Wheel and Sky Diver.[3]
The company was founded in Strong, Maine, by Vermont native Roland Gilmore, who was known for his ability to procure free cigarettes out of vending machines.[4] Gilmore's son, George (Bud), took over the business in 1970, after Smokey's death (at which point he realized his father had changed his name from Ronald).[3] George died in 2013, aged 70, at which point his widow, Jeanette, took the reins.[4]
Until the early 21st century, Smokey's Greater Shows served the five northeastern states, but rising fuel costs forced it to reduce its coverage to Maine only.[4]
In 2015, the fire marshal of Waterville, Maine, charged Smokey's over two incidents at the Head of Falls in which three children and an adult were injured.[5][6]
In 2022, Smokey's signed a multi-year contract with Union Fair, in Union, Maine.[7]