Smokey's Greater Shows

{{Short description|Traveling carnival company in Maine, United States}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Smokey's Greater Shows

| logo = Smokey's Greater Shows logo.png

| image = Smokey's Greater Shows 2023.jpg

| image_caption = Smokey's Greater Shows at the 2023 Yarmouth Clam Festival

| type = Privately held company

| foundation = 1950s

| location = Fryeburg, Maine, U.S.

| key_people = Bud Gilmore (former owner)
Jeanette Gilmore (current owner)
Robby Driskill (manager)

| industry = Amusement rides

| products = Amusement ride and traveling carnival management

| revenue =

| num_employees =

| homepage = https://smokeysgreatershows.com/

}}

Smokey's Greater Shows is a traveling carnival midway company based in Fryeburg, Maine, United States. It provides amusement rides, games and concessions for local, county and state fairs throughout Maine.{{Cite web |last=Zarrilli |first=Katie |date=2018-10-22 |title=General manager of Smokey's Greater Shows tells his side of fair date controversy |url=https://www.wagmtv.com |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=WAGM TV |language=en}} It appeared at the Fryeburg Fair for over forty years, before its partnership ended in 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-14 |title=New rides delight, Fryeburg Fair numbers up {{!}} The Bridgton News |url=http://www.bridgton.com/new-rides-delight-fryeburg-fair-numbers-up/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |language=en-US}}

Many of its attractions are unique, including its Giant Gondola Wheel and Sky Diver.{{Cite web |last=www.mwdwebdesign.com |first=Matt's Web Design- |title=Smokey's Greater Shows (Fryeburg, ME) |url=https://smokeysgreatershows.com/ride-details.asp?rideid=497 |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Smokey's Greater Shows |language=en}}

The company was founded in Strong, Maine, by Vermont native Roland Gilmore, who was known for his ability to procure free cigarettes out of vending machines.{{Cite web |last=Coffin |first=Jaed |date=2017-08-31 |title=A Trump-Loving Impresaria, Her Immigrant Workers, and the Future of a Maine Institution |url=https://downeast.com/features/smokeys-show-business/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Down East Magazine |language=en-US}} Gilmore's son, George (Bud), took over the business in 1970, after Smokey's death (at which point he realized his father had changed his name from Ronald). George died in 2013, aged 70, at which point his widow, Jeanette, took the reins.

Until the early 21st century, Smokey's Greater Shows served the five northeastern states, but rising fuel costs forced it to reduce its coverage to Maine only.

In 2015, the fire marshal of Waterville, Maine, charged Smokey's over two incidents at the Head of Falls in which three children and an adult were injured.{{Cite web |author=Staff Report |date=2015-07-06 |title=Fire marshal charges Smokey's Greater Shows over Waterville carnival accidents |url=https://www.centralmaine.com/2015/07/06/fire-marshal-charges-smokeys-greater-shows-over-waterville-carnival-accidents/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel}}{{Cite web |last=Sentinel |first=Doug HarlowMorning |date=2015-07-12 |title=Skowhegan fair goes on with Smokey's Greater Shows |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2015/07/12/skowhegan-fair-goes-on-with-smokeys-greater-shows/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Press Herald}}

In 2022, Smokey's signed a multi-year contract with Union Fair, in Union, Maine.{{Cite web |title=Union Fair signs multi year contract with Smokey's Greater Shows |url=https://www.penbaypilot.com/node/158153 |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=PenBay Pilot |language=en}}