We set out to make safety the number one priority. We provide safe, clean, wholesome, modern, and exciting rides. We supply an environment for children and adults alike. We negotiate honest and fair contracts to enable both parties profit. We ensure that all our guests leave with a memorable experience. Every night we clean our midways, and all of our people wear show attire making a clean and inviting presentation to our customers. Also our employees are not allowed to smoke on the midway in the publics view.
A personal statement from Corky
"I can remember the midway as a child and the amazement it brought to me and I remember thinking I want to bring that same level of interest and excitement to the people who come to enjoy the show. The gift to give joy gives me great satisfaction. My goal is to bring happiness and joy to my patrons at the greatest level of safety".
Principles: President: Les Powers
Vice President : Debbie Powers
Show mascot: Bebe Powers
Corky and Debbie Powers
This page will tell you a little about the background of the members that make up this particular show. This is a family business that includes 5 generations. We'll start with Les Powers, the owner and operator of the show. We'll call Les by his nickname, "Corky". Corky is 4th generation in the traveling amusment industry. It was his great grandparents that started in this business many years back; the tradition has carried on down to his kids. Debbie, Corky's wife, is 3rd generation in the traveling amusment industry. They are on the road between March and October and have winter quarters set up in North Carolina. Along with a heavily booked summer season their work takes them into winter months with conventions and committee meetings.
The other players in the show begin with Corky's children. Tracy, the eldest, owns and operates the popcorn concession and independent rides on the dark blue unit. She and her husband RD, the superintendent on the same unit, are the proud parents of three girls, Morgan, Brooke and Camryn. R.D.'s dad, Ron Thomas and his wife Marie work jointly with PGAM. They own rides and games. Ron has become a true asset to the operation.
Eddy, Corky's son has the job of running the second unit. You will see him driving a double trailer of generators down the road. Amy, Eddy's wife, operates the Fried Dough, Pizza and nut stand on the second unit. They own a few rides also. They are the proud parents of Shane and Jordan.
Dean and Phil, their younger children, are blossoming into wonderful young men and hard workers, a necessary quality for the carnival life. Dean helps manage Debbie's food trailers and Phil jumps into the food trailers to help during busy times, a consummate diplomat with the customers. They have purchased their first ride recently, the "Titanic" and Phil owns the "Jalopy Junction kiddie ride.
Corky's brother's (the late Dick Janas) family is there also. Dick's wife Ann can be found in one of their food trailers. Marc owns several games and travels on the dark blue unit, and handles some public relations. Karen and her husband Mike can be found on the main unit in their chicken wing food trailer or keeping an eye on their little boy, Colby.
Al Sieffert and his wife Jeanne operate games on the light blue unit and he functions as the office manager.
Wylie Irwin serves as the office manager for the dark blue unit and owns games.
Later in the season the two units join together and play major fairs and festivals. Corky books all kinds of extras from games and food to entertainment. Please see our contact page if you are interested in joining the show. And now continue to sit back and enjoy the ride!
Associations we are affliated with:
Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs, North Carolina Association of County Fairs, South Carolina Association of County Fairs, Virginia Association of Fairs, New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs
Memberships:
International Association of Fairs Expositions, Amusment Industry Manufactures & Suppliers Intl., National Independent Concessionires Association, Inc., Outdoor Amusment Business Association, New York State Show People's Association, Pennsylvania State Showmen's Association, Showmen's League
Employee - years affiliated with Powers Great American Midways
Corky and Debbie Powers- since 1979
RD and Tracy Thomas, Marie and Ron Thomas, Marc Janas, Ed Powers - since 1989
Al Sieffert, Kevin Coles, Rick Snipes - since 1992
Bob Miller - since 1994
Amy Powers, Dennis Weaver, Ray Willis - since 1996
Tim Cox, Don McWilliams - since 1998
Bob Lyons, Wyllie Irwin - since 2002
Charlie Belknap - since 2003
OABA Jamboree Support
This takes place every year at The Big Butler Fair in Pennsyvania.
