Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Knoebels smashes single-day attendance record
| Share This Story: |
  
|
ELYSBURG — Knoebels Amusement Resort had the busiest day in its 82-year history Saturday when some 30,000 people — and 6,000 vehicles — streamed into the park, co-owner Richard “Dick” Knoebel said.
Knoebel said the influx of fun, food and fantasy seekers caused a traffic jam as the massive parking fields north of the park overflowed.
“It was difficult, but we got it done,” he said about finding enough parking. Knoebels made use of a neighbor’s fields for some 800 cars and trucks and parked another 100-plus at the park’s recycling center.
“It was the best crowd we ever had,” Knoebel said.
Diana Taylor, an employee of the Oasis at Knoebels, was amazed at how many people visited the park Saturday.
“It was just crazy,” she said. “We had a line all day and it didn’t stop once.”
Taylor was at the Oasis from 10:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Saturday, serving pizza the entire time.
“We went through 20 or 30 boxes of pizza pie shells; there are 10 shells per box,” she said.
Knoebel, recounting the busy day while addressing the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, which held its monthly meeting at the park Tuesday, said there are likely several factors that played into the record attendance. He attributed most of it, however, to “guilt week.”
“‘Oh! We promised to take the kids to Knoebels before school starts,’” Knoebel said in mocking the late-August cry of parents, slapping his palms against his forehead for effect.
Taylor wasn’t sure that the upcoming school year was all that was responsible for Saturday’s attendance.
“I’ve never seen it that busy,” she added.
Saturdays and Sundays in August are popular times to hold company picnics and reunions, Knoebel said. Asked if higher gas prices kept more people closer to home, helping Knoebels’ spike in attendance, he said that may be the case; however, he said the resort is becoming more well-known, too. He noted the praise Knoebels received earlier this year in cooking celebrity Rachel Ray’s magazine; a story on the front page of the Sunday, May 25, Philadelphia Inquirer, and recent publicity in the New York Times travel section.
“People told us they didn’t know this place was here” until they read the Times piece, Knoebel said.
Flying Turns? No go
Knoebel, who spoke to 20 chamber members for about a half-hour, relating his long history in the park and the dedication of family and staff, said the newest of the park’s 50-plus rides, the Flying Turns, still isn’t ready.
“It’s not likely this year anymore, sorry to say,” Knoebel said. “We’re very disappointed about it, but we’re very excited that we’re going to have the only Flying Turns ride in the world.”
And that is part of the problem. Such a ride has not existed for some 50 years, so there are no experts with whom to consult.
“It’s a really good ride, but it’s not ready to be open to the general public,” he said. “We’ve got to tame it down.”
Knoebel, who noted he rode the ride himself — and there are pictures to prove it — said, “I know we’ll lick the problem.”
Flying Turns involves the re-creation of a classic ride popular in the early 20th century. Passenger cars ride in a trough with no further guide than the curved walls surrounding them, creating a bobsled-like effect.
Sandy Winhofer, chamber director, noted Knoebels’ local impact.
“Knoebels is a valuable resource for our area,” she said. “They support the chamber very much.”
The amusement resort employs 2,000 people throughout the summer months and has 135 year-round workers.
“So we support a lot of families,” Knoebel said.
Knoebel said the influx of fun, food and fantasy seekers caused a traffic jam as the massive parking fields north of the park overflowed.
“It was difficult, but we got it done,” he said about finding enough parking. Knoebels made use of a neighbor’s fields for some 800 cars and trucks and parked another 100-plus at the park’s recycling center.
“It was the best crowd we ever had,” Knoebel said.
Diana Taylor, an employee of the Oasis at Knoebels, was amazed at how many people visited the park Saturday.
“It was just crazy,” she said. “We had a line all day and it didn’t stop once.”
Taylor was at the Oasis from 10:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Saturday, serving pizza the entire time.
“We went through 20 or 30 boxes of pizza pie shells; there are 10 shells per box,” she said.
Knoebel, recounting the busy day while addressing the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, which held its monthly meeting at the park Tuesday, said there are likely several factors that played into the record attendance. He attributed most of it, however, to “guilt week.”
“‘Oh! We promised to take the kids to Knoebels before school starts,’” Knoebel said in mocking the late-August cry of parents, slapping his palms against his forehead for effect.
Taylor wasn’t sure that the upcoming school year was all that was responsible for Saturday’s attendance.
“I’ve never seen it that busy,” she added.
Saturdays and Sundays in August are popular times to hold company picnics and reunions, Knoebel said. Asked if higher gas prices kept more people closer to home, helping Knoebels’ spike in attendance, he said that may be the case; however, he said the resort is becoming more well-known, too. He noted the praise Knoebels received earlier this year in cooking celebrity Rachel Ray’s magazine; a story on the front page of the Sunday, May 25, Philadelphia Inquirer, and recent publicity in the New York Times travel section.
“People told us they didn’t know this place was here” until they read the Times piece, Knoebel said.
Flying Turns? No go
Knoebel, who spoke to 20 chamber members for about a half-hour, relating his long history in the park and the dedication of family and staff, said the newest of the park’s 50-plus rides, the Flying Turns, still isn’t ready.
“It’s not likely this year anymore, sorry to say,” Knoebel said. “We’re very disappointed about it, but we’re very excited that we’re going to have the only Flying Turns ride in the world.”
And that is part of the problem. Such a ride has not existed for some 50 years, so there are no experts with whom to consult.
“It’s a really good ride, but it’s not ready to be open to the general public,” he said. “We’ve got to tame it down.”
Knoebel, who noted he rode the ride himself — and there are pictures to prove it — said, “I know we’ll lick the problem.”
Flying Turns involves the re-creation of a classic ride popular in the early 20th century. Passenger cars ride in a trough with no further guide than the curved walls surrounding them, creating a bobsled-like effect.
Sandy Winhofer, chamber director, noted Knoebels’ local impact.
“Knoebels is a valuable resource for our area,” she said. “They support the chamber very much.”
The amusement resort employs 2,000 people throughout the summer months and has 135 year-round workers.
“So we support a lot of families,” Knoebel said.
|
| |
| Man run over by garbage truck | Councilman trashes proposal |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of The News-Item.
Jerry Costa wrote on Aug 21, 2008 3:30 PM:
" I was born and raised in the aera, but moved to Peoria AZ in 1976.
Last week I was in town for my 40 class reunion, and on Wed I took my wife to the Park. I was amazed at how much it grew in the last 40 years, but the prices were remakable. We really enjoyed the park. The only let down were the French Fries. They weren't in the white cups and they are no longer peeled. Maybe they were just better because I was a kid back then.. LOL "
Last week I was in town for my 40 class reunion, and on Wed I took my wife to the Park. I was amazed at how much it grew in the last 40 years, but the prices were remakable. We really enjoyed the park. The only let down were the French Fries. They weren't in the white cups and they are no longer peeled. Maybe they were just better because I was a kid back then.. LOL "
