Western Washington Fair and Traveling Show
Part of the ride's appeal was the last scene of a donkey eating from a manger. As the boat passed, it would trip a lever and the donkey's hind legs flew up. Boat occupants would react and be laughing as they exited the ride. Those seeing the laughter would purchase a ticket to see what others were laughing about. This ride was destroyed along with other buildings in a 1970 arson fire. Picture Courtesy E Stratton
In "Doin' The Puyallup" An Illustrated History of the Western Washington Fair Since 1900 (published 1991) on page 68 is a picture* inside the old mill. Edward Bollinger can be seen standing on the right wearing a light gray suit and white hat.
* This framed (approximate 38" x 26") copy of this picture will be offered on eBay sometime in the future.
Picture Courtesy E Stratton
The additional 50 feet required that delivery trucks drive under the coaster.
John Miller stayed up all night redrawing the plans on some butcher paper and plywood. The Douglas fir framework was made on the ground then hoisted into position with Model-A Ford fitted with block and tackle.
Several pictures were taken using the roller coaster. One of these was with the train sitting in the middle of a high curve. The coaster crew positioned the train on the curve and set it brakes. Members of the Western Washington Fair Board then walked up maintenance walkway of the structure and boarded the train for their picture taking session. When they were done, they walked back down the walkway.
Clara Peller of Wendy's "Where's The Beef?" fame also had her picture taken on this roller coaster. As she had a breathing problem, it was a little more difficult to get her up to the train. She had a unique way of putting things that made all around her smile while taking all that was asked of her in stride. .
Housed in a round building on the WW Fairgrounds is a 1917 Parker Toboggan Portable Carousel (PTC 43) . This is one of five carousels that were mounted on a wagon so they could be easily transported with a traveling show. This machine was also donated to the fair by Robert Bollinger.
Also see, Tom Cooper (carnival and circus artist) and Carousel Finds a Home.
This carousel has a Wurlitzer Band Organ (circa 1916). It was owned by Levitt, Brown, & Higgins Shows (Earl & Bud Davis). In 1923 there were two rides available for sale. Both Earl Douglas and Edward Bollinger wanted to purchased the carousel so they drew straws. Edward drew the “short straw” enabling Earl to purchase the carousel. In 1932, Edward and Robert Bollinger purchased it from Earl Douglas' widow.
Care A third ownership interest in the Skyride was another contribution to the WWF by Robert Bollinger. The Skyride is an overhead ride consisting of enclosed cabins that take riders from one end of the fairgrounds to the other.
In the early 1960’s, representatives from the Fair asked Robert to run the carnival (midway) games at the fair. Their request was timely as it put him in the position of founding, FunTastic Entities
During the time he owned FunTastic, he always had a spot at the Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon; provided entertainment at the Western (in Puyallup) and Central (in Yakima) Washington Fairs; Oregon State Fair; Pacific National Exposition (British Columbia, Canada) plus smaller fairs throughout Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Texas.
Several pictures were taken using the roller coaster. One of these was with the train sitting in the middle of a high curve. The coaster crew positioned the train on the curve and set it brakes. Members of the Western Washington Fair Board then walked up maintenance walkway of the structure and boarded the train for their picture taking session. When they were done, they walked back down the walkway.
Clara Peller of Wendy's "Where's The Beef?" fame also had her picture taken on this roller coaster. As she had a breathing problem, it was a little more difficult to get her up to the train. She had a unique way of putting things that made all around her smile while taking all that was asked of her in stride. .
Housed in a round building on the WW Fairgrounds is a 1917 Parker Toboggan Portable Carousel (PTC 43) . This is one of five carousels that were mounted on a wagon so they could be easily transported with a traveling show. This machine was also donated to the fair by Robert Bollinger.
Also see, Tom Cooper (carnival and circus artist) and Carousel Finds a Home.
This carousel has a Wurlitzer Band Organ (circa 1916). It was owned by Levitt, Brown, & Higgins Shows (Earl & Bud Davis). In 1923 there were two rides available for sale. Both Earl Douglas and Edward Bollinger wanted to purchased the carousel so they drew straws. Edward drew the “short straw” enabling Earl to purchase the carousel. In 1932, Edward and Robert Bollinger purchased it from Earl Douglas' widow.
Care A third ownership interest in the Skyride was another contribution to the WWF by Robert Bollinger. The Skyride is an overhead ride consisting of enclosed cabins that take riders from one end of the fairgrounds to the other.
In the early 1960’s, representatives from the Fair asked Robert to run the carnival (midway) games at the fair. Their request was timely as it put him in the position of founding, FunTastic Entities
During the time he owned FunTastic, he always had a spot at the Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon; provided entertainment at the Western (in Puyallup) and Central (in Yakima) Washington Fairs; Oregon State Fair; Pacific National Exposition (British Columbia, Canada) plus smaller fairs throughout Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Texas.
© Copyright 1998 - 2009 Mrs. "B"
unless otherwise noted, pictures were taken by
or are part of The Bollinger collection
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