Through his years as a basketball player in high school and college, Butler Amusements, Inc. President Earl "Butch" Butler learned the meaning of teamwork and developed a strong awareness of competition. Imbued with a keen sense of rivalry, he joined with his father to create and build a carnival into one of the largest in the United States. Today, reflecting on his career across the proscenium arch of time, Butch credits those early lessons on the basketball courts as the best he'd ever learn about competing with others.

He was born on September 27, 1942 in Austin, Minnesota. His father George (Bud) and his mother Evie raised both Butch and his sister Colleen to value the accomplishments inherent of hard work. While Butch was still in his teens, his father became interested in a carnival game- a weekend vacation from the grocery business in Austin. Soon father and son were out on weekends, booking with carnivals throughout the Minnesota area, each learning more about not only game concessions, but the carnival industry as well. By 1960 when Butch was 18, his parents, now with games and a ride, decided to move to California.

While Bud and Evie worked with West Coast Shows, Foley & Burk, Sutton's Greater Shows, Olivia Waldron's Fair Time Shows and Rose City Shows operated by Jimmy Rose, Butch continued his college education while operating game concessions on weekends and summers, allying himself with Midwest area shows-Wm. T. Collins Shows, Davidson United Shows, S&W Shows, Al Brown Shows, Bob Hammond Shows, Matt Armstrong Shows, Murphy Bros. Expositions, Art B. Thomas Shows and Merriam Midways. It was these associations and friendships-some enduring to this day -that Butch readily credits for his knowledge and perceptions of the carnival industry.

By 1967, now married and with a family of two daughters, Butch and his wife Mary headed west with a "Swingin' Gym" to visit his parents in California. What was supposed to have been a visit turned out to be a major step in the future of the carnival that was still only a dream. Butch and Mary joined Bud and Evie on Monarch Pacific Shows in 1968. But the demise of the carnival was imminent and the Butlers began making plans for a carnival of their own. The sale of the family grocery store in Austin, Minnesota provided funding for a new show's first ride-a Tilt-A-Whirl.

In 1970, the fledgling Butler Amusements made its auspicious premier at a shopping center in Mountain View, California. That winter, the father-son Butler team signed their first fair contract at the Redwood Empire Fair in Ukiah, California- a contract maintained by Butler Amusements for nearly thirty-five years. By 1998, Butler Amusements had burgeoned to over 125 rides, more than 100 contracted game concessions, 15 food concessions and an employee roster totaling more than 400 midseason. The show-in four to five units- travels through 6 western states, to serve 34 fairs and over 60 celebrations and festivals.

Concerned with every aspect of the immense operation he controls, Butch Butler points with unabashed pride to the "new look" of Butler Amusements' midways. "We designed an entirely new look from the rides to concessions. We went so far as to design a special canvas pattern that makes the entire midway uniform in an aesthetic appearance. Most of our rides feature that some color scheme so that everything blends into a beautiful, unforgettable experience for our customers. I think that a person gets out of any effort precisely what one puts into it. I'm very proud of the amusement industry and very proud of our show."

Butch is especially proud that his four daughters, Tami, Kelley, Kris and Jill and their husbands are all actively involved in the management of the corporation, on the threshold of a new generation at Butler Amusements, Inc. His son Sean visits the show during summer vacations and holidays from school. Devoted to his family, Butch spends much time, both at home in Campbell and while on the road with the show during the season, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and their friends. Butch is an avowed sports enthusiast, attending San Jose Sharks, Golden State Warriors and Oakland Raiders games whenever his schedule allows. He has served as President of the Pacific Coast Showmen's Association of Los Angeles, Showfolks of America, San Francisco and in 1998 as President of the prestigious Showmen's League of American, an international fraternal organization of carnivals, circus and amusement industry owners and executives. In 2005 Butch was inducted into the Western Fairs Association's Hall of Fame. He also took great pride in receiving Outdoor Amusement Business Association's, Circle of Excellence award at the International Fairs and Expositions convention, December 2005 in Las Vegas.

Due to his prominence in the outdoor amusement industry, Butch has served on numerous legislative advisory panels studying ride safety, fair and exposition contracts and customer relations. His advice is constantly sought by ride and equipment manufacturers and he has been at the fore front in the development of innovative techniques that have steadily improved the carnival business in the United States and Canada.

Pictured above are three generations of the Butler Family. All are involved in the family owned and operated business which has been serving California and the west for 36 years.