Belle City Amusements was founded by Charles G. Panacek, Sr. Born September 20, 1918, the son of immigrant parents from Czechoslovakia, in Stanley, Wisconsin. At the age of 1, his parents bought a farm and moved to Racine Wisconsin and at the age of eighteen, Mr. Panacek visited the local fair where a friend of his was operating an amusement ride. While at the Fair, he came upon a live pony ride and thought, already having ponies on the farm he could build a ride himself and start a business of his own. That summer he did just that and thus began his lifelong association with the Outdoor Amusement Industry.

In 1941, Mr. Panacek joined the United States Navy and served his country proudly for almost 4 years. After an Honorable discharge, at the rank of Lieutenant, he returned to Wisconsin to continue his endeavors in the amusement Industry.

In 1948, Mr. Panacek incorporated his company Belle City Amusements. The name Belle City came from the town where he grew up, Racine, where supposedly the most beautiful women in Wisconsin were from, thus the spelling Belle City.

Mr. Panacek was a member of the Tripoli Shrine Club, James A. Garfield Masonic Lodge of Milwaukee Wisconsin, a member of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association since its' inception, and longtime member of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, as well as several other Showmen's clubs.

Belle City Amusements has celebrated over 50 years of providing safe, clean, family entertainment. The traditions Mr. Panacek started are still in practice today. The matriarch of the company, Mrs. Mary J. Panacek is Vice President and has an active role in public relations and other important aspects of the company. The president of Belle City Amusements is Charles G. Panacek Jr. who with his son Zachary, General Manager and daughter, Charlotte, who works in the show office, runs the daily operations of the company.

Belle City Amusements has, over the years, made a reputation for itself of being one of America's premiere Outdoor Amusement providers. Our family is very proud of our heritage and is continuously looking towards the future of providing first class family entertainment to America's finest fairs and festivals.