The carnival rides and games lighting up the midway are all owned and operated by a family with deep roots to the Fort Dodge area.

Rob, Russ, and Bryce Scott, of Pilot Mound, own and operate three carnivals through Scott Amusements.

While the trio and their families are on the road constantly for five months of the year, coming back to the area is always a highlight.

“We’re 4-H people,” said Lorna Scott, the business’ office manager. “Rob and I are in the 4-H Hall of Fame and all of our kids were in 4-H. We love fairs.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Dennis Fedkenheuer, of Fort Dodge, helps his grandson Sawyer Clum, 3, of Fort Dodge, throw darts for a prize during the Webster County Fair on Wednesday in Fort Dodge

With multiple rides, games, and food stands, the Scott family is providing wholesome family fun, food, and entertainment this week at the Webster County Fair while also having setups and staffing at the same time in Boone and Emmetsburg.

“It’s always a lot of fun for us,” said Lorna Scott. “For us, with our experience in 4-H, we love the fair experience, but it’s also so many people that come out and haven’t experienced farms before. They’ll ask me ‘Are there horses here?’ It’s good to get people out to experience a county fair, to ride the rides, and to see the hard work that 4-H kids have done with their animals and projects.”

The Scott family travels the state from Mother’s Day until typically around Halloween, and even sets up at area events like the Dayton Rodeo.

“We’re nomads, but we’re not just coming in from another town or state, taking money and leaving,” said Lorna Scott. “Community means a lot to us. We try to leave a lot of money in each town, too. We try to shop locally as much as we can from independent groceries, independent oil changes, etc.”

“Not long ago, we bought a pallet of water and 10 cases of four-pound bags of sugar from the Gladbrook Community Grocery,” said Bryce Scott. “They were happy to work with us and we’re glad to work with local businesses.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Kolson Kiefer, 2, of Fort Dodge, attends the Webster County Fair on Wednesday.

For their hard work across the state, the Scott Family was recently awarded Showman of the Year honors from the Association of Iowa Fairs.

“We are incredibly honored to win this award in only our sixth year as carnival owners,” said Rob Scott.

The rides, games, and fair food from Scott Amusements will continue through Sunday at the Webster County Fairgrounds.