Dale Scott partners with a robot for a Delaware State Fair magic show. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

HARRINGTON — Dale Scott has performed his magic aboard the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner, the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey., and even had a daily summertime show at the Palace Theatre in Myrtle Beach, S.C., a couple of years ago.

However, he says there’s something about traveling and performing his illusions at fairs and carnivals across the country that keeps him going.

Mr. Scott and his wife and assistant, Ana, are busy entertaining audiences at the heat-infused Delaware State Fair this week with “Scott’s Crazy Comedy Magic Show” as well as “Scott’s Future of Magic,” drawing oohs and ahhs from fairgoers with mind-blowing levitation and several other tricks.

By the time the fireworks explode high in the sky to signal the state fair’s conclusion on Saturday night, he will have performed a total of 40 times.

“I performed on a lot of different cruise lines, we did corporate events, festivals, fairs … all kinds of different events,” Mr. Scott said. “Then about five years ago we started doing a little bit more in the fair industry, but we still do a lot of other events as well.

“It’s a lot of fun. Wherever the families and the kids are, you know, there’s the magic. They love it, so we try to keep it going.”

Dale Scott does two different magic shows daily at the fair. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

Mr. Scott puts on two daily roaming shows, known as “Scott’s Crazy Comedy Magic Show” at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. throughout the fairgrounds. Don’t be surprised to walk away with a balloon animal if you’re a kid.

His bigger and more polished stage show, “Scott’s Future of Magic,” takes place nightly at 6 and 8 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent at its new location by The Machinery Lot.

“My wife is actually here [in Harrington] and she’ll be in the robot suit, of course that’s the magic secret,” Mr. Scott said. “We want people to come and see the show with the robot and we’ve got some other new illusions. We’re actually floating a kid in the air, which is pretty cool.

“We like to get some interaction with all the kids as much as possible.”

Mr. Scott is a versatile performer who has been entertaining audiences since he was only 8 years old. He has the ability to easily communicate with children, whom he routinely incorporates into his act.

After all, he said he entered the world of magic with the help of his dedicated mother, who would lock him in a laundry bag and clock how long it would take him to escape.

Mr. Scott’s act has obviously grown over the years.

“He had really good magic,” said 10-year-old Lyndsey Thomas, of Middletown, after watching him perform. “I don’t know how he stuck a light saber through a balloon without making it pop, and I really liked his robot.”

Mr. Scott is no stranger to state fairs. His uncle was a fair manager when he was growing up in Cincinnati so he’s accustomed to the sights, sounds and yes – smells – that fairs routinely offer.

When he was 12 he learned the art of stilt walking and was booked as the youngest professional stilt walker in the world as “Too Tall The Clown.” He stood 13 feet in the air and amazed audiences at fairs, shopping malls, grand openings and parades.

That led Mr. Scott to expand his range and scale by creating extravagant illusions and becoming a more polished showman.

One thing is for sure.He is always looking for new ways to make his show better.

“We create new things,” Mr. Scott said. “Like, the robot is new this year and the kids floating in the air, so we add new magic in to keep it fresh … not just for us, but for all of the guests.”

Kids are amazed by the magic at Dale Scott's show. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)