Bill Cotter Report post Posted August 11, 2011 July 1962 Imagine how demoralizing it must have been to perform for "crowds" like this? While most of Century 21 was a huge success and well attended, the events staged in the Arena usually performed to very small audiences. Perhaps it was the same situation that was later seen in NY, where folks skipped the circus and stage shows, figuring they wanted to see something really unique at a world's fair. In any event, seating was never a problem for these shows. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
worldsfairent Report post Posted August 11, 2011 The show must go on, but OUCH! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doug Seed Report post Posted August 11, 2011 Daily practice sessions at 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00 and 8:00. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gorilla Report post Posted August 11, 2011 I've seen many photos of the waterskiers, but mostly looking to the left. Any idea what all those "houses" are on the right side of the photo? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expoboy Report post Posted August 11, 2011 Any idea what the buildings with the red roofs at the end of the oval are? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Cotter Report post Posted August 11, 2011 Yes, that was the Spanish pavilion, which hosted a popular flamenco dance group, restaurant and exhibits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Themepark Nut Report post Posted August 12, 2011 Isn't this a shot of the Mercury Outboard show? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Cotter Report post Posted August 12, 2011 It's the "It's the Water" ski show sponsored by Olympia Beer. Mercury may well have been an official participant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JonasClark Report post Posted September 8, 2011 Notice the fountain is not running, which it almost always was. The stadium, which existed before the fair, is still there. The path you see people walking up to the upper left is still there, and exits through a gate just to the side of the grandstand, directly across from the Armory entrance; the gate is rarely open, but the one time I found it unlocked I made sure to explore the route thoroughly. The Spanish pavilion is, of course, gone, and there's a wall at the top of that hill, which is now full of trees and bushes. At upper left, immediately to the right of the Armory building, is the blocky steeple of Sacred Heart Church, which is still there. To this day, most sporting events I see in the Memorial Stadium are underattended. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expo1853 Report post Posted November 22, 2011 The 1964-65 NY Fair had the same problem with it's arena, low attendance. One problem was it was so far away from the main gate and the monorail should have been built to go all the way around the fair, not just the amusement area, to get people there better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expoboy Report post Posted November 22, 2011 I think the real problem with these types of shows at world's fairs is fairgoers have to make a choice. What would you choose? The GM Futurama, GE Progressland, Ford Magic Skyway or a water ski show. Dick Buttons' Ice Extravaganza suffered a similar fate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Cotter Report post Posted November 22, 2011 The Florida water ski show actually did quite well in 1965. I have many pictures of a good sized crowd. True, some days it was pretty empty, but overall I think 1965 would have been rated as a success, especially compared to what it replaced from 1964. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Randy Treadway Report post Posted November 22, 2011 The Florida water ski show actually did quite well in 1965. I have many pictures of a good sized crowd. True, some days it was pretty empty, but overall I think 1965 would have been rated as a success, especially compared to what it replaced from 1964. The post-Fair report from the Florida World's Fair Commmission confirms this. 1965 attendance figures were good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites