OUR HISTORY
Since 1985, Fantasy Amusement Company, Inc. of Prospect Heights, Illinois, has provided quality, clean, safe "Family Fun For Everyone". Fantasy Amusement Co., Inc. services the greater Chicagoland area, Central Illinois, Northern Illinois, and Northwest Indiana. We have become one of the best, if not the best, carnival providers in the Midwest.
Bill and Mary Johnson started with eight rides, games, and a popcorn wagon. Now, Fantasy Amusement Company fields over 40 rides, games, and concessions. At first, our season started in May and ended in September. Today, the season runs from April through Halloween in the Chicagoland area, Central Illinois, and Northwest Indiana. Several of the dates we play are original, returning to the first year in business. We have become the best carnival in the Midwest and the greater Chicagoland.
Our family is very involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. Our oldest daughter, Katie, manages a game, assists in the office, and owns a game and a ride. Katie is also a full-time teacher. Our son-in-law Ivan is one of our valued Team Leaders. Our middle daughter Kelly runs our funnel cake concession with her husband Vincent, another of our respected team leaders. Kelly owns the slush stand and is also a full-time teacher. Our youngest daughter, Alyce, helps in our popcorn wagon and with game breaks during the busy fair season. Our nephew Bob has worked for us for over 30 years and is a partner in a game. Most of our employees have been with us for over 15 years. As you can see, Safe, Clean, Family, fun, and consistent personnel year after year help to make Fantasy Amusement Company the best choice. Most of our committee members tell us how nice it is to see the same faces year after year, and many know our staff individually by name.
Our show has grown over the years. Our motto and tagline, "Safe Clean Family Fun For Everyone!" is our commitment to our patrons. We strive to provide the most cleanest, safest, and affordable family entertainment value. 2024 marks our 39th year in business, and we will continue to strive to be the best and the most innovative family-oriented amusement provider in today's market. We are looking forward to our 40th year in 2025!
Bill Johnson started in the Amusement Business when he was 11 years old. The carnival came to town (Niles, Illinois), and a man named Bill Knight asked him if he would help him pick up balls in the Milk Bottle Game. Bill did this during the show's run and every year after until age 14. Mr. Knight asked Bill's Mom if he could work the summer for him–he would be picked up, fed, and dropped back home daily. Mrs. Johnson was a widow; Mr. Johnson died when Bill was only 18 months old. All of her neighbors warned her to keep her son away from the carnival, but she felt that Bill was doing quite well with Mr. Knight. By the time Bill was 18, he ran a unit for Mr. Knight. At age 24, Bill bought his first ride (The Swinger) and still managed games. At Age 25, he became Ride Supervisor for Loop Amusements. The following year, he owned two rides and managed seven games until starting Fantasy Amusement Company in 1985.
In 1994, Bill was elected President of the Showmen's League of America, whose first president was Buffalo Bill Cody. The Showmen's League of America has a rich and proud history, from Buffalo Bill to the present. In 2000, Bill was selected to serve on the Board of Directors of the OABA–Outdoor Amusement Business Association. Bill completed his Chairmanship of the OABA in 2011. Bill continues to be active in the OABA, participating in the board meetings and assisting on various committees. The OABA is the only organization devoted to the Outdoor Amusement Business; all aspects of working in and with, and in many ways, have helped our business and others like us grow successfully.
We still have events we have been working on since our first year in business and employees who have been with us since the beginning, too. For over 36 years, Fantasy Amusement Company has worked to provide Fairs, Festivals, Civic Groups, Special Events, Shopping centers, and Churches with means for a successful fund-raising event.
Fantasy Amusement Company, Inc. is perfect for just about any size of event. Our modern Amusement park-style rides and theme-park-style games and concessions can be tailored to your needs. We are a family-style show featuring family-style entertainment; "Safe, Clean Family Fun For Everyone!"