1946 marks the beginning of what is now Wood Entertainment Inc., when the late Cecil L. Wood along with his wife Elizabeth and three children, Beatrice, L.W. “Bill”, and F.G. “Red” began the family’s’ storied career in show business. It was 1946 when the family left their home of 7 years in Phillipsburg, KS where they owned and operated a tire shop, gas station, and restaurant equipped with an arcade room in the back and took to the road. First operating a Penny Arcade and food concession with Central State Shows, and then Brodbeck and Schrader Shows, Cecil and his sons also oversaw the maintenance, operation, and transport of several rides for the carnival as well as the arcade and food concession of their own. The family worked together at the carnival until 1951, when Bill was drafted into the USMC where he served two years and the returned to the family business. In early 1952, Cecil was taken from the family in a truck accident, leaving his sons to carry on. 1953 was Red’s turn in the military, when he was drafted by the US Army and served two years before returning to the family business. The Wood family operated the arcade and food concessions until 1960, when Red ventured into the ride business as an owner, while Bill along with his mother and sister continued on with the arcade and food concession until 1964. In 1964 Bill, his wife, mother, and young daughter settled in Kinsley, KS and opened a tire and muffler shop.

     Red continued his new career in ride ownership and began what would become a long and distinguished career in the amusement ride business. 1961 marked the beginning of a long-term friendship and business association with W.G. “Glenn” Wade, first operating his own ride, and then performing maintenance on rides for the W.G. Wade Shows. In 1963, the Allan Hershel Company produced America’s first spectacular ride, towering an impressive 100 feet, and named it the Skywheel. Contractual obligations for the Michigan State Fair facilitated the purchase of this spectacular attraction by Glenn Wade and Red Wood, and a lifelong partnership was formed. First partnered in the Skywheel and then in the W.G. Wade Shows in 1965, the company grew to a size of over 100 rides and attractions before its’ sale in 1981. Along the way, F.G. “Red” Wood is credited with many accomplishments:

     Michael Wood, also a lifelong industry veteran, now heads Wood Entertainment Inc. After graduating from Michigan State University Michael followed in the footsteps of his father in the family business. He currently holds a NAARSO Level III Inspectors certificate, the highest level obtainable through the organization. Michael has attended numerous NAARSO and AIMS safety seminars and served as an instructor sharing his knowledge since 1989. He currently serves on the NAARSO Education committee governing the curriculum for the annual safety seminar held each January.

     In 2000, Wood Entertainment Inc. was contracted by Six Flags Corporation to manage the carnival midway at two events.  It produced in Albuquerque, NM and El Paso, TX. This process included the evaluation of each attraction, and the operation of it by its’ owner in order to be considered for presentation to the public under the Six Flags brand name. The company was also responsible for the site layout, electrical power grid, and management of the daily operation, including ride coupon sales, games of skill, food concessions, and gate admissions. Currently the company serves as a consultant to several amusement ride manufacturers and suppliers, in addition to operation of amusement rides at 5 of the top 10 fairs in the United States.