Fuel costs to affect summer entertainment

NEW YORK, May 5 (UPI) -- Entertainment that travels -- from carnivals to ice cream trucks -- will likely see changes in 2008 due to rising fuel prices, U.S. company officials said.

The changes could include increased prices or cutbacks of services, ABC News reported Monday.

UsSkyAds.com, which flies banners, such as wedding proposals, over stadiums is keeping an eye on soaring fuel prices and may raise its standard rate of $450 per hour, owner Paul Calabro said in an ABC News report.

The Dixieland Carnival Co. has already canceled four shows -- all charity events -- this year after spending an additional $36,000 on fuel in 2007 for the company's 38 trucks, owner Billy Tucker said.

Even ice cream trucks are feeling the heat of rising fuel costs. James Conway, vice president of Mister Softee, said prices are going up for some of the products his trucks deliver.

The gas-powered ice cream trucks use diesel fuel to run their refrigerators, "a double whammy," Conway said.