Michigan s very first carnival was the Pilbeam Amusement Company carnival.
The Pilbeam Company was owned by Frank & Harry Pilbeam, who brought Michigan its first carnivals from 1903 thru 1938.
In answer to the Pilbeam s success, during the last half of the 20th Century, carnivals began popping up all throughout Michigan. The one that seemed to appear everywhere were the W.G. Wade carnivals, who took over the majority of carnivals in Michigan.
The Wade carnivals seemed to be everywhere: the Michigan State Fairgrounds, legion halls, parking lots, athletic fields.anywhere they were allowed to set up, they did.
The company was founded in Michigan by Lee Wade and his sons in 1912, under the name Imperial Shows . Detroit was the first area to enjoy the carnivals, which years later changed its name to Joyland Midway Attractions .