On August 13, the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair will present Islanders with a mix of old and new, a return to the past and a nod to the future. The Ferris wheel will make its much-anticipated return, alongside thrilling new rides like Top Gun and the Pharoah’s Fury. After a 50-year hiatus, Fiesta Shows, the largest traveling amusement provider in New England, rekindled its historic relationship with the Agricultural Society last summer.
E.J. Dean Fiesta, the third-generation family business owner of Fiesta Shows, has been working for the company since he was a young teenager picking up shifts at Salisbury Beach. Our Agricultural Fair is widely beloved, evidenced by the many volunteers who return enthusiastically each year and the support it provides for the Agricultural Society. “It’s not just a put-together and slap-together aspect,” Fiesta says, “it’s a first-class event.” Fiesta’s role is to oversee the preparation that goes into the rides, food, and games that more than 30,000 people enjoy each summer.
Last year, Island residents were disappointed by the absence of the beloved Ferris wheel. Fiesta explains that “we weren’t able to, based on the timing of it,” and promises that they know it is “an iconic piece on the grounds.” He also adds that there will be a few exciting new additions to this year’s lineup, “one being the Pharaoh’s Fury, which is a big swinging ship.” The Top Gun will also be new this year, a maximum-intensity ride, promising to be popular among teenage crowds. “I think the most thrilling ride … will either be the Top Gun or the Zipper,” Fiesta notes. “Both are on the extreme side of the list.”
There are also exciting rides for the non-thrill-seeker, including the “Frog Hopper that hasn’t been there before.” The carousel and the Ferris wheel are always popular among young children and families, along with the slide, “because who doesn’t like to go down the slide?” In line with the inclusivity that is reflected in the fair’s many activities, Fiesta says, “we operate our rides to entertain from 6 months old to 99 years old.”
The heart of the fair, Fiesta believes, is the work of the Agricultural Society board and its volunteers, who are “extremely dedicated not only to the mission of the fair but to setting a high standard for the patrons to enjoy.” Organizers begin coordinating the previous December, and months of work lead up to the final result that Vineyard residents and visitors anticipate. This effort is made clear every year by the uniqueness of the fair’s many charms, including the chopstick knitting competition and the women’s skillet toss. “It’s really top-notch … but it all stems and derives from the passion that the volunteers have for the fair. You can see their love for it, and their care for it,” says Fiesta. “They are really great stewards of preserving that history and heritage.”
There are many steps that go into carrying the equipment on and off the Island. “The Steamship Authority does a phenomenal job of organizing and assisting us,” Fiesta says. The Steamship has to carefully decide whether everything from food trucks to Ferris wheels and game booths can travel to the Island by boat safely.
Both Fiesta and the ferry staff are committed to ensuring Islanders can relish their favorite way to send off the summer. It’s difficult to guarantee that all will run smoothly, but, says Fiesta, “We do all of it on paper ahead of time, and they you know live it live as we go.” Fiesta commends Steamship Authority staff for being cooperative when plans unexpectedly fall through. “Overall, it runs very smoothly. We had a couple minor hiccups …. But that’s where I praise the Steamship Authority.” Fiesta says they are “on it as fast as they can.”
Fiesta Shows is not only in charge of the rides, it also provides the archetypal amusement park snacks. Fiesta shares that there will be ice cream, lemonades, hot dogs, and other foods perfect to be enjoyed before the stomach-dropping Zipper. “Popularity-wise, cotton candy and fried dough are unique, because it’s best fresh as opposed to any other way of getting it.” He adds that these particular delicacies cannot be enjoyed “in a tub that’s been made weeks in advance, or if it was frozen and thawed.” These special treats “stand out because of their freshness,” and are “not something anyone can just make at home easily.”
For the first time in decades, the Agricultural Fair will take place during the second full weekend of August, kicking off on Thursday, August 13. It’s unclear whether this date change will lead to a more crowded Agricultural Hall, but this partnership promises exciting future changes to the fair.
To ensure the ability to try out every ride available, Fiesta Shows includes unlimited ride passes to prepurchase online. Fairgoers are able to purchase wristbands for $70 to access the fairgrounds Thursday through Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, and until 6 pm on Sunday. Friday night offers $50 unlimited ride wristbands from 5 to 10 pm.
Fiesta concluded, “Sometimes it’s grandparents with grandchildren, or just friends coming to have a fun day or eat an interesting food.” It is the mission of Fiesta Shows to cater to the broad audience that attends the fair each year. “We take that mission very seriously,” said Fiesta. “When people come to a fair, and certainly when they go on rides, they want to let their guard down and kind of enjoy the thrills, with the mindset that someone is making sure that it’s being done properly and safely. People are coming to have a good time, and it’s our job to ensure to the best of our abilities that that is met.”
