America's Outdoor Entertainment

Showcasing America’s

Outdoor Entertainment

before the age of television; knows that there is always a story behind the artifact.

Legacy

Bob Goldsack was a carnival and circus fan, historian and model builder since childhood. He was a prolific writer who recorded the interesting history of outdoor entertainment and amusements. Since 1984 he has researched, collected photos and published (17) books and wrote articles for multiple publications.
In October, 2000 he was named editor of The White Tops, the bimonthly magazine published by the Circus Fans Association of America. Goldsack was also the founding editor of Carnival Midway, the bimonthly magazine published by The Carnival Historical and Model Builders Association. From 1996 through 2000, he published his own magazine, Midway Journal Illustrated, a high quality magazine targeted to carnival, circus and amusement parks fans.
Goldsack has also written on request, major articles for Midway Marquee, The Outdoor Amusement Business yearly publications. He also appeared at numerous educational and historical society programs speaking on the subject “The History of Outdoor Entertainment”. He has been interviewed on several radio shows. He has served as a consultant for a number of movies, television documentaries and several Disney projects.
A 28 year work history as a former newspaper executive, Goldsack was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, moving to Nashua, New Hampshire in 1978. Married for over 50 years, was the father to nine children and a multitude of grand & great grandchildren. He was a Navy combat veteran of the Korean War, and a graduate of Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing.
Goldsack’s part-time ventures included owning a semi-pro football team Jersey Oaks {Plainfield Merchants} in New Jersey that successfully operated for ten years, operated a large pony ride-rental business {Eleven-G’s} for six years and a small amusement park {Circusland in Washington, New Jersey}.
He was always thrilled when he spots circus tents, carnival midways and showtrain’s.
1/22/2023 last update
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The American Carnival Midway with roots from the Plaisance Midway of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The Plaisance was filled with villages of social anthropology studies presented as entertainment, amusement rides, dinning, drinking, entertainment shows and reenactments. This entertainment concept was captive by the new breed of traveling showmen as the American Carnival midway. Starting off with heavy amount of entertainment shows, mixed with food and gaming concession, sprinkle with a small number of amusement rides. During the next 100 years this format change to low to no shows, mixed with food and gaming concession, sprinkle with a major number of amusement rides.
Are you looking to find out more about the Circuses? Depending on your interest there are three wonderful and useful circus organizations & club. All three publish colorful and insightful journals along with annual conventions and many other benefits. I belong to all three. Circus Historical Society - Do you want to learn about the history of the circus, this is the organization for you. https://circushistory.org/
Circus Fans Association of America - Do you want to know what going on with the circus today, this is the organization for you. http://new.circusfans.org/
Circus Model Builders - Do you like to build models, this is the club for you. www.circusmodelbuilders.club

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Sponsored by generous grants from Midway Museum Publications and Robert J Goldsack, Jr.
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