From Popcorn Hustle to Spectacular Rides: The Story of Nova Expositions

 

Have you ever wondered about the magic behind your favorite carnival rides? The flashing lights, the thrill of the heights, the smell of popcorn in the air—it all comes from somewhere. Today, let’s dive into the story of Nova Expositions, a traveling carnival with a rich history and a few unexpected twists and turns along the way.

It all started with a young Ralph Sanders, a firm believer in the great American dream. Back in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, during the Depression, when he was just 13, Ralph and a friend started hustling popcorn. Talk about entrepreneurial spirit! Ralph, a second-generation American with German and Swiss roots, didn’t let tough times stop him. When his friend left town, he and his brother took over, added peanuts to their offerings, and built their very own popcorn machine in their dad’s tin shop with just $19. Their first day? They grossed $26. Not bad for a couple of kids with a dream!

After World War II, Ralph Sanders launched Ken-Penn Amusement, which would later become Nova Expositions. He started small, with a merry-go-round and a Ferris wheel, costing him $9,000. He recalled how hard it was to get a loan from the local bank back then! It really shows how far things have come. In 1947, he and his wife, Olga, took eight rides to their first fair in Armstrong County. The following year, they played at the Green County, Pennsylvania Fair, where they held the contract until the show eventually dissolved.

Nova Expositions eventually operated two units. Ralph’s son, Ronald Sanders, managed one unit covering Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, while Ralph handled the other. They’d combine forces for the West Virginia State Fair, making it a real family affair. Ronald and his wife, Edith, would kick off their season in mid-April and wrap it up in September. While I never experienced an actual carnival where Nova Expositions held a contract, as luck would have it, after their season ended, they booked some of their spectacular rides with other carnivals and played larger southern fairs in the fall, including the Pensacola Interstate Fair which Goodings Million Dollar Midways held the contract for at the time. It was pretty obvious while walking the midway that certain rides were not owned by Goodings. Doing a deeper dive into my carnival stories, I have discovered who owned some of the rides that appeared at the fair. Nova’s rides were a stand out due to their impeccable condition and eye for detail, including paint, lighting and cleanliness. It’s also heartwarming to hear about the scholarship Nova Expositions gave to the winner of the Miss West Virginia Fairs and Festivals Association—starting at $500 and growing to $1,000. That's a testament to their community involvement.

By the time the show closed in 1988, Nova Expositions had a lineup of fantastic rides, including the Hit 2000 (MACK Himalaya/Musik Express), Bayern Kurve, Wave Swinger, Flitzer Coaster, Goforth Sky Liner, Sky Wheel and Floyd & Baxter Bumper Cars. They also had a large kiddie land and other major rides, making sure there was fun for everyone.

Now, every story has its challenges. Nova Expositions was involved in a legal case with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This stemmed from a dispute over the ownership of the rides and vehicles after a sheriff’s sale in 1988. The court found the sale to Edythe Sanders (Ronald's wife) was fraudulent and ruled in favor of the FDIC. It's a complicated legal situation, but it’s part of Nova Expositions’ history.

Ralph A. Sanders passed away on May 20, 1994, in New Kensington, PA, at the age of 79. He's remembered as an outstanding showman, and it's clear he poured his heart and soul into Nova Expositions.

What an incredible journey! From a humble popcorn stand to a thriving carnival, Ralph Sanders’ story is truly inspiring. It shows that with hard work and a bit of luck, anything is possible. And even with the legal hurdles they faced, the legacy of Nova Expositions lives on in the memories of those who enjoyed the rides and the atmosphere.

What are your favorite carnival memories? Have you ever been to a fair or carnival run by Nova Expositions? Share your stories in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you. If you've been touched by these kinds of stories, and have any little mementos or tokens from any such fairs or carnivals, feel free to share! Or, should you feel inclined to support my writings, you're welcome to send me a small token of appreciation through the appropriate channels (wink wink). Every little bit helps keep these historical tales alive!

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Mother's Day Mishap: A Not-So-Award-Winning Mom Moment

Happy Mother’s Day! Now, let’s be honest—Mother’s Day is usually reserved for sentimental shoutouts to our moms and sweet family moments. And while my mom definitely deserves all the love in the world (trust me, she was amazing), today’s story isn’t about her. Nope, this one’s about a mom whose parenting moment went hilariously, tragically sideways—and left her son down a pinky and up a pile of cash. So buckle up, because if you thought your family drama was wild, Nancy and John Garrity of Wayne, NJ are here to take it to a whole new level.

Picture this: It’s a regular day in suburban New Jersey. John Garrity is in his mom’s garage, channeling his inner DIY pro with a miter saw. He’s laser-focused on his work, sawing away like he’s auditioning for an HGTV show.

Enter stage left: Nancy, John’s mom. Completely unaware of how distracting a mom-tap can be when power tools are involved, Nancy gives her son a little shoulder tap, probably just to ask something like, “Do you want turkey or ham for lunch?”

But what happens next? John, startled by the tap, turns his head—and, well, let’s just say the miter saw had other plans. In the blink of an eye, John’s pinky finger goes bye-bye and lands in the sawdust pile.

Now, here’s where things get even wilder. Instead of chalking this up to an unfortunate (and painful) life lesson, John decides to take things to court. Yes, you read that right—he sues his mom.

At the trial, Nancy, bless her well-meaning heart, admits that her little shoulder tap was indeed the catalyst for the pinky-severing incident. The jury doesn’t take long to deliberate, and the verdict is clear: John wins.

The court awards him $20,000 to cover his medical bills and a whopping $95,500 for pain, suffering, and who-knows-what-else. I mean, at least he’s got the cash to invest in some premium pinky prosthetics, right?

So what do we learn from Nancy and John’s not-so-Hallmark moment? First, if someone’s using a power tool that could double as a medieval weapon, maybe avoid the whole “tap-on-the-shoulder” move. Second, family drama can get downright lucrative—if you’re willing to endure the awkwardness of suing your mom. But seriously, this story is a great reminder that safety comes first. Whether it’s a miter saw, a chainsaw, or a simple bread knife, distractions can lead to some gnarly outcomes.

And there you have it—a Mother’s Day story like no other. Sure, it’s not all warm fuzzies and bouquets of flowers, but hey, it’s a memorable one! Have you ever had a family mishap that spiraled hilariously out of control? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments—spill the tea (or the sawdust)! And if this tale gave you a laugh or a moment of reflection, feel free to show some love in whatever way feels right to you. After all, life’s too short not to appreciate the little (or pinky-sized) things. Cheers to all the moms out there—you’re doing great…taps and all! 💕

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