Getting Ready For Concord’s Kiwanis Fair Is Fulfilling Work

CONCORD, NH — The Concord Kiwanis Fair opened Thursday outside the Everett Arena for the 65th time in the capital city.

The fair was set up pretty quickly, in a matter of days, and always is, according to Scott Miller of Miller Amusements.

Miller has been in the carnival business since the early 1980s. Like a lot of carnival and fair businesses, it is a family affair for the company. The company works, primarily, from April until late October, all around New England. During the carnival season, Miller has about 30 employees working for him.

When the pandemic hit, the company closed down. But they were able to get back up and running in late June of the second year. For the most part, things are back to normal, he said.

“People have come back out,” Miller said. “They are happy to be out … spending money and having fun.”

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The family is on-site, for every carnival and fair, and handles all the rides, games, and food trucks.

Miller said every show was different. Some are small and others bigger, depending on the available space and local interest. This year, the Kiwanis Fair featured 20 rides.

Every spring, the company attends trade shows to check out new rides and games available for companies. Miller said there was a large trade show in Orlando, Florida, each year.

“You want to change stuff up, occasionally, for the customers,” he said, adding it was great and fulfilling to see so many people having fun.

Setting up takes most of the crew’s time, usually between one and three days, depending on the crew size. But breaking down with an entire team can be done in around four hours. Like all businesses these days, Miller is having difficulty finding workers, despite paying what he called, “very good wages.”

Ken Georgevits of the Kiwanis Club said the org was excited the fair was back in the city, and working with the company was great.

“It’s our pleasure to work with Miller Amusements once again,” he said. “They are quality, safe provider of fun for the whole family.”

The fair hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, and so is the parking.

On Saturday afternoon and Sunday, the Kiwanis Club will offer “wristband days,” unlimited rides, for $30. There are $5 off coupons floating around, which will be accepted from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Proceeds will fund food banks, key clubs, scholarships, and other initiatives.

For more information, visit the org’s website.

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