Wheelhouse Industries, exhibiting in Gibtown for the first time, is no stranger to the amusement industry. While the company is relatively new to the market, it brings decades of experience and is spearheaded by Jason Helm and Eric Elkaim.

Jason Helm spent much of his life working alongside his late father, Dave Helm, co-founder of Helm & Sons Amusements, refurbishing rides for the show. His passion for refurbishing and engineering amusement rides ultimately led to the formation of Wheelhouse Industries.

Wheelhouse displayed two attractions at the show, including the company's signature piece, a 45-foot-tall Gondola Wheel designed specifically for rental companies and small to mid-size carnivals. While operating his California-based rental company, Helm recognized the difficulty of maneuvering long semi-trailers into tight event spaces for short-term engagements. As a result, Helm and Elkaim developed a gondola wheel that delivers strong visual impact while remaining light enough to be hauled by a modified pickup truck.

The wheel is trailer-mounted on a 42-foot trailer and has a pin weight of 19,500 pounds. “It's the ideal rental wheel that can be hauled anywhere,” said Helm. Each gondola seats up to four adults, and the attraction offers an hourly capacity of approximately 700 to 800 riders.

The wheel is manufactured in Turkey, and Helm placed significant emphasis on ensuring the design and construction met strict international standards. “We toured 30 to 40 different factories around the world and fell in love with this manufacturer,” Helm said. As part of the selection process, a Level 3 welding inspector was brought in to examine weld quality and confirm that durable welding practices were being used. Helm also arranged for all steel components to undergo testing to verify the alloy composition of the metal.

The ride features a full LED light package and is wired for sound, allowing operators to incorporate music if desired. Setup is streamlined through the use of a wireless remote control that operates the hydraulic system during setup and teardown. The remote can also be used to operate the ride once it is fully set up.

Wheelhouse is committed to supporting its customers with a U.S.-based parts department that stocks commonly needed components. A U.S.-based technical support team is available 24/7 in the event of operational issues.

The company is offering a show special on the wheel displayed at Gibtown, with pricing inclusive of international tariffs and delivery fees.

Also on display was the Pig Race, a man-powered attraction in which riders use a hand pump to propel their ride-on pig down a straight track. The piece can operate as a rental attraction or as a group game on a carnival midway. “It gets a lot of attention from people at events,” Helm said. The current model is ground-mounted, and a trailer-mounted version is planned for the near future.