In
the beginning, a Kentucky farm family moved and located themselves in
Wintersville, Ohio. Their name was Gambill and they maintained a pony
farm at the end of the lane on Reichart Avenue. During the 1950's Geary
and Eric Bates, neighborhood boys at the time, worked on the farm for
the Gambill family and helped with the pony rings that were set up at
the local events. Eventually, a portion of the farm was sold and turned
into a subdivision which lead to the purchase of the first mechanical
rides, thus, Gambill Amusement Co. was formed by Quinn and Ken Gambill.
Later in 1965 Geary
and Eric Bates, with the help of their parents, James and Dorothy Bates,
purchased their first ride, the Rock-O-Plane, which Eric stills has
operating today. This purchase began the future to come. By 1975, Mr.
Gambill retired and the name was changed to Gambill-Bates Bros. Amusement
Co. This was a period of growth that seemed endless. By the 1980's nearly
ten acres of land were purchased on Bantam Ridge Rd. in Wintersville,
and became the new site of the winter maintenance facility, which was
large enough to allow for storage of the equipment as well as a shop
to properly maintain and accommodate the larger equipment.
By
1981, a Bates Bros. Amusement Co. was well on its way and Geary and
Eric were each operating independent routes. This allowed for yet another
period of growth and expansion. By 1993, with the growing needs, ideas,
and families, the company was restructured and Eric retained sole ownership
of Bates Bros. Amusement Co. Geary and his family went on to form Bates
Amusement, Inc. While both companies are separate entities of one another,
they come together twice a year, once in the spring for the IX Indoor
Amusement Park in Cleveland, Ohio, and later in September for the Canfield
Fair over Labor Day Weekend. Eric currently maintains his facility by
the airport in Wintersville. We operate our offices and maintenance
buildings on over 9 acres of land with several additions to come. Eric
also formed A.R.M. manufacturing and American Superior Lighting (ASL)
to utilize his knowledge of the amusement industry from every aspect.
He operates year round facilities where he manufactures rides and lighting
products that service the ride industry needs of his colleagues. He
also was instrumental in creating the AIMS trade show along with the
help of Vince Kudler of Majestic Manufacturing, and the support of both
The AIMS organization and the Outdoor Amusement Business Association
(OABA). The AIMS show is the largest indoor display of amusement rides
and associated equipment for the carnival industry within the international
marketplace.
Today, Bates Bros.
Amusement Co., Inc. is owned and operated by Eric and Dee Bates, Amy
Bates, Brad and Michelle Dallman (Bates). We operate over 40 various
amusement rides for children, adults and families of all ages. We also
have food concessions, funhouses and similar attractions for our customers
to enjoy. In addition to our amusement equipment, we provide living
accommodations for our staff, portable offices for our business, generators
for a self-empowered midway when necessary and we have become one of
the largest suppliers of amusement rides and services for charitable
events, festivals and county fairs in the state of Ohio.
During
the winter months (off season) all of our equipment is serviced and
refurbished by our team of workers who work year round to maintain the
equipment. We maintain the equipment according to the safety needs of
our customers, mandates from the state of Ohio and our own high standards
that ensure us providing the highest caliber of rides to our customers
and the ladies and gentlemen we work with during our events. All of
our equipment is subject to mandatory licensing and inspections by the
state of Ohio Ride and Safety Division.
Eric Bates presently
is a director of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) and
sits directly on its Safety Planning Board. We do all we can to stay
in direct communication with the growing needs of safety participation
in our industry with not only our customers, but also our workers and
their well being.
We invite anyone
interested to visit us at our maintenance facility or come see us in
operation at one of our many locations. We look forward to the opportunity
for you to experience our efforts and to service you to the best of
our ability.
