Last week was a busy week. Two of my sisters and Bentley (the dog) came to visit. We explored around Atlanta. That is another story for another time. No blog for last week, but here is mine for the coming week.
Summer makes us think about visiting different outdoor venues. Growing up in Pennsylvania there were many to choose from, and some that cost nothing to visit. These were the best kind with a family of six kids. We never got weeks at the shore, trips to Europe, or cruises. It was still summer, so why not enjoy what you have nearby.
There were many attractions that didn’t cost a fortune. Memories that will always be with me are the family visits to Rolling Green and Knoebel’s Grove Amusements Parks. The venues were rented out by Piper Aircraft Corporation for their employees to enjoy. The “Piper Picnic” occurred in June of each year and was the highlight of our summer.
Now for a bit of history of Rolling Green Park which was in Selinsgrove, PA and opened in 1908. In 1907 there was a trolley that ran from Selinsgrove, PA to Sunbury, PA. This means of transportation could provide the people to a fun destination. By linking the trolley to Rolling Green Park, this would get more people to ride the trolley, which meant more revenue for the trolley company. Keep in mind this was a different era. Everyone didn’t have a car. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Do you think the ride could have been five cents each way?
The park was built on 46 acres. There were many amusements within the park that included Bingo, concerts, games, bands, a pool, a theater, and more. Something for everyone! The park closed in 1971 due to Hurricane Agnes. This devastating storm swept through Pennsylvania at the end of June. My hometown was flooded by the Susquehanna River but did recover. I remember shoveling flood mud in our basement. Onto happier thoughts.
The Saturday of “the” picnic would arrive. Yes, we were excited. We might even have a new outfit, which consisted of shorts and a halter top. Mom would pack a picnic lunch in a cardboard box (because we could not afford the concessions at the park). I remember her baked ham! Yum! Probably there was a jug of Kool Aide, some potato and macaroni salads.
We would choose our pavilion near the roller coaster. I can still hear the clickety clack of the cars making their way up the hill, the sounds of screaming and the site of hands in the air when it would roll down the hill and around the track. My mother told the story of a rattlesnake making a nest in one of the cars. Interesting! When I think back, I don’t remember riding this coaster. Perhaps I was not the right age or height.
Dad would always manage to get us more “free tickets”. Each employee was entitled to a certain amount for the day. Sometimes they would just give us a special tag to wear. Rides here we come! We could ride until we left that evening.
Rides I remember were the Ferris wheel, which sat beside the lake. The Fun House was up the hill and had cars to ride throughout that scary adventure. At least at that time we thought it was scary.
The bumper cars were very popular. This ride always had a certain smell about it. We bumped into each other. Now that I think about the bumper car experience could have been classified as dangerous. Find your archrival and ram into them! Trust me when I say, it was not a soft hit! Sometimes you were spun around, and hit the wall. It was next to impossible to get back out to the “floor”. Other cars were waiting for you!
The park had a grandstand where music would be playing throughout the day. One could sit and just enjoy the various bands and performers.
Six kids and how to keep track of them? The little ones stayed with mom and dad. Those of us that were older would have to check in a few times a day. It was plain fun and no one worried about being kidnapped or bothered. Those were the days of innocence.
Like almost every other park, there was the carousel. You would choose a majestic horse that would hopefully go up and down. Some horses were stationary. These were your last resort. Round and round we would go with the organ music playing, and the wind hitting you in the face. What a great feeling! Most likely you could grab a brass ring for a free ride. You kept the silver rings that you grabbed around your finger until the carousel stopped, and throw them back into the return shoot for the next group of riders. All ages enjoyed this magical ride with the beautifully, colored horses!
For many years we went to Rolling Green for the Piper Picnic, but they decided to change venues. Now we would go to Knoebel’s Grove Amusement Park. It was established in 1926 and located in Elysburg, PA. The park is still family owned, operated, and enjoyed by many to this day. Knoebel’s Grove is free admission. You pick and choose what you want to ride and pay with tickets that you have purchased.
Things I remember about this park were you went down a hill to get into the park. The pool was very cold, but so much fun. I took my bathing suit and enjoyed it after I had enough rides! I believe the pool was painted blue to provide the illusion of blue water. So much fun!
Rides were the best. There was a “kiddie coaster” to ride. At the time I don’t remember them having an adult size roller coaster. Now there are three wooden coasters, and three steel coasters. The loopty loop planes were just that! There were two cars opposite each other. The ride would go around and turn you upside down, and just plain make you sick! Still, you had to ride it once that day. The bumper cars were fun, as was the haunted house.
Once again, the best ride in the park for both young and old was the carousel with its organ music and beautiful horses. The little train would take you around the park. Something for everyone.
We still had our picnic lunch packed and ready to eat. The concession I remember the most was the roasted chickens that were being cooked. You could smell them as you walked past the booth, but I don’t think I ever had one. Six kids — remember?
This amusement park was devastated by bad weather throughout the years, and Hurricane Agnes in 1971. The determination of the family restored the park and added more rides for all to enjoy.
I returned to Knoebel’s Grove with my sisters a few years ago. My one sister elected to hold the purses while my other sister and I went on the wooden coaster. We boarded a car (not electing to sit in the front car — too scary), and then made our way up the first big hill. As we arrive at the top there was a large clap of thunder. Yes, a thunderstorm had come upon us. I decided that if this was my time to go, I would go out with a bang and contentment. We exited the ride laughing our heads off and soaking wet! You see, I love roller coasters. Probably the need for speed? I love NASCAR.
Perhaps these kind of amusement parks are a thing of the past, and you are lucky to come upon one. Now it is Disney World in the sunny state of Florida. Disney World just doesn’t have the carnival atmosphere of the old time amusements. There is just something special about these venues. I feel myself lucky that the 50’s and 60’s gave my family and I the experience.
As I say many times, “Those were the days my friend, I thought they’d never end”. Great experiences for the times.
Blessings from The Blogging Grandma