Tag: Amusement Park

LANDMARK AMUSEMENT PARKS PROMISE NEW THRILLS IN WESTERN CONNECTICUT

America’s oldest amusement park, Lake Compounce in Bristol, proves once again that it is totally up to date this season, debuting a spectacular new laser light show and a new campground while Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, celebrating its 106th birthday this year, promises new water park fun and new entertainment thrills at its Carousel Theater. Quassy’s popular Summer Idol singing contest also returns this year.

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CELEBRITY-CHOICE DOGS, LASERS AND TIPIS at LAKE COMPOUNCE

A spectacular new laser light show beginning July 4th. ‘Illuminate the Night”, will feature a 50-foot water wall veiling the lake with simultaneous synchronized music, projections and lasers. It will light up the sky at Lake Compounce every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through August 24th

Lake Compounce is also introducing the first East Coast branch of Hollywood’s legendary Pink’s Hot Dogs, a favorite of show business celebrities. Park visitors will be able to sample and see why Pink’s was number one in a Fox News Top Ten list of America’s best hot dog stands.

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The new Bear Creek Campground will have its grand opening July 1, beckoning visitors with the chance to sleep in a traditional tipi. The tipis are equipped with electricity and mini refrigerators and can sleep four to 6. The campground also offers 20 fully-furnished cabins, 56 RV sites equipped with water and electricity, and 30 tent sites.

Lake Compounce, established in 1846, is now part of the Palace Entertainment family of parks. Millions have been spent in the last few years to equip the park with state of the art roller coasters and thrill rides and Connecticut’s largest water park. See the full line-up at lakecompounce.com

EXPANDED WATER PARK, ENTERTAINMENT BECKON AT QUASSY

“The Beat is On” at Quassy Amusement Park and Waterpark, guaranteeing family fun when the Bucket Brigade takes the stage with its unique show “at the Carousel Theater July 4 to 27. These drummers extraordinaire use buckets, oil drums, tubes and all manner of wacky instruments to produce an irresistible beat, and they get the audience into the act, as well.

Quassy also plans its third popular Summer Idol singing talent competition for teens and pre-teens. Auditions are set for July 7 with shows scheduled on July 20, 27 and August 3.

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The Wooden Warrior roller coaster and the Crazy Cups ride are among many recent additions that bring the venerable park up to date while maintaining its old-fashioned charm.

Last year Quassy almost doubled the size of its Splash Away Bay water park, adding thrill features like BulletBOWL, a two-person tunneled tube ride that drops more than 30 feet and travels more than 210 feet. The tube emerges from the tunnel by spinning into a gigantic bowl where speed and centrifugal force keep riders glued to the outside of the bowl. For a full list of rides, see Quassy.com

For more information and a free copy of UNWIND, a full-color, 152-page booklet detailing what to do and see, and where to stay, shop and dine in Fairfield County and the Litchfield Hills of Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit their web site at www.litchfieldhills.com.

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THE SIMPSONS MAKE A SPLASH AT LAKE COMPOUNCE’S CROCODILE COVE WATERPARK ON AUGUST 22nd

Lake Compounce

TV’s longest-running scripted show, The Simpsons, is hitting the road and will make an appearance at Lake Compounce’s Crocodile Cove Waterpark on Wednesday, August 22nd to host a themed waterpark takeover. Entrance to the event is free with park admission and Crocodile Cove will be open from 12noon to 7:00 P.M. This event is free with admission to the park.

Guests can dive-in and celebrate along with The Simpsons, and be the first to ride a Springfield donut inner tube that would make even Homer jealous. They can also pose for some great family photos with The Simpsons, water park style.

After spending the day at the Simpsons Summer Celebration, families can continue the fun at home with The Simpsons on Blu-ray and DVD. Fans can enjoy exclusive footage and special features available only on these releases. The Simpsons Seasons 1-14 are currently available; Season 15 will be released on December 4, 2012.
About Lake Compounce Lake Compounce

Part of the Palace Entertainment family of parks, is New England’s Family Theme Park and the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America. With the largest water park in Connecticut, and a brand new water slide called Riptide Racer, the park is now in its 167th season. Now open daily. Regular admission price for the 2012 season is $36.99. Junior admission, which is for guests under 52 inches tall, is $26.99. Senior admission, for ages 61 and up, is $18.99. Children 3 years of age and younger are admitted free. Prices subject to change without notice. All tickets and season passes may be purchased by visiting http://www.lakecompounce.com.

About Palace Entertainment Palace Entertainment

Owns and operates 40 theme parks, water parks and family entertainment centers nationwide, including Kennywood, Idlewild and Storyland on the east coast. The company entertains millions of guests annually and is one of the largest park operators in the US. For more information, visit palaceentertainment.com.

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Quassy Amusement Park Opens April 28, 2012!

New Tea Cup Ride at Quassy

Quassy Amusement Park is putting a new spin on family fun when the lakeside facility opens on April 28. A tea cup ride from Italian manufacturer Zamperla will be introduced at Quassy for the park’s 104th year. The ride features six family-sized cups with individually controlled spinning action all revolving on a rotating platform. The end result will be an interactive, fun experience for all age groups. The new ride will be located adjacent to Quassy’s Carousel Court and ice cream parlor.

Quassy will feature its traditional $35 carload weekend special April 28 and 29. The price includes all-day ride wristbands from noon to 6 p.m. for up to 10 persons in a vehicle. The parking fee is included. The carload special continues the weekend of May 5 and 6.

The annual Egg Hunt for Prizes returns to Quassy at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 29. Youngsters are split up into age groups to hunt for candy and eggs in the great lawn area of the park. Toddlers participate in a goody bag version held at the Carousel Theatre stage.

Quassy will also kick off its annual “Ready To Read” program the first two weekends with meet and greet sessions by young reader favorites “Biscuit” and “Clifford” The Big Red Dog. “Biscuit,” courtesy of Harper Collins Publishers, will be on hand at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. April 28 and 29. “Clifford,” courtesy of Scholastic Books, has the same schedule on May 5 and 6.

Coastermania

In 2011 Quassy Amusement Park introduced its new marquee attraction, the “Wooden Warrior” roller coaster. Since opening in April of last year the ride has received worldwide acclaim from roller coaster and theme park enthusiasts alike.

Earlier this year, the “Wooden Warrior” was named Attraction of the Year (2011) in a ballot by Behind the Thrills, a theme park enthusiasts’ Web site. The coaster was also voted “Third Best New Ride” worldwide in the 2011 Golden Ticket awards, presented by industry publication Amusement Today.

The 1,250-foot ride was designed by The Gravity Group of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the first “junior coaster” in the firm’s portfolio. In addition, Quassy selected The Gravity Group’s sister firm, Gravitykraft, to provide its state-of-the-art Timberliner train for the ride. The “Wooden Warrior” is the first new coaster in the United States to feature the sleek train.

Rides And More

Quassy Amusement Park features more than two-dozen rides and attractions including the popular “Saturation Station” interactive waterpark. “Saturation Station” has more than 30 ways to get drenched with water cannons, cascading fountains and a huge dumping bucket. The modular water play area is also home to the gigantic “Tunnel Twister” waterslides. “Saturation Station” and Quassy Beach will both open for the 2012 season on Saturday, May 26.

In addition, popular rides in the park include the “Music Fest,” “Free Fall ‘N” drop tower, “Paratrooper,” “Family Fun Slide” and “Grand Carousel.” Two Kiddyland areas cater to the tots with a variety of children’s rides.

In the heart of the park is the “Carousel Theatre” stage with daily entertainment during the height of the season. Popular events at the stage include dance and karate days, an annual school music festival and a regional Irish dance competition.

Quassy also has a huge redemption arcade, restaurant, games, paddle boat rentals and excursions on Lake Quassapaug aboard the Quassy Queen.

A Classic Band Organ at Quassy


Educational Programs

More than a dozen educational programs are underwritten and presented by the park each year. Students can explore the workings of the amusement rides with the “Fun With Physics” booklet, accredited by the American Association of Physics Teachers. It contains more than two-dozen pages of activities that can be completed during a visit to Quassy.

Behind-the-scenes tours, photography workshops, Art In The Park and roller coaster model competitions are among the other educational offerings.

Quassy is also the location of choice for birthday parties, catered company outings, family reunions, church picnics, sports team and league banquets and team building events. Catered group outings are held in the privacy of the park’s pavilions or patio area overlooking the lake.

Specials With Families In Mind

Being family-affordable has always been a goal of the locally-owned park. All-day ride and “Saturation Station” passes are $19.50 for those under 45 inches tall and $23.50 for 45 inches and taller. Individual ride tickets are also available.

The best value at Quassy is a family of four season pass for only $235. Included are the rides, “Saturation Station,” Quassy Beach and free parking ($6) with each visit. Individual season passes are $75 each. Quassy season pass holders are also entitled to a number of “season pass perks” during the summer.

Friday evenings starting May 25 feature 50-cent rides, hot dogs and small soft drinks. “50-Cent Fabulous Fridays” will continue through Aug. 31.

The $35 Saturday night carload special starts May 26 and continues through Sept. 1. For only $35 up to 10 persons in a vehicle receive an evening (after 5 p.m.) wristband, parking included.

For more information about Quassy Amusement Park visit www.quassy.com or call 1-800-FOR-PARK.

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Quassy’s New Roller Coaster Named Attraction Of The Year

"Wooden Warrior" Roller Coaster, Middlebury, CT

Quassy Amusement Park’s “Wooden Warrior” roller coaster has been named Attraction of the Year in a poll conducted by the theme park enthusiasts’ Web site Behind The Thrills.In making the announcement today, Racheal and Erik Yates, who operate the popular site, said the “Wooden Warrior” has been a huge success for Quassy, a small family-owned park in Middlebury, Conn.

“We’re absolutely delighted by the news,” said Quassy President Eric Anderson. “We were up against some other fantastic attractions from throughout the world.”

Attraction of the Year was a new category added to a list of 10 awards presented by Behind The Thrills. Nominations for this distinguished award were submitted by readers.

“We received over a hundred different attractions (nominations) from parks all over the world,” the Yates said in announcing the honors. “Not all of the attractions were new. In fact, a lot of the new attractions barely made our top 30 to be placed on the ballot.”

Roller coasters, dark rides and some classic attractions at large theme parks were among the nominations.

The Yates went on to say: “The little roller coaster (“Wooden Warrior”) stood up against an army of bigger, meaner, more technologically advanced rides and came out victorious!”

Quassy’s new coaster captured 35 percent of the vote with * “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” TM, at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure, coming in second with 12 percent of the tally. “The Voyage” roller coaster at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind., placed third in the voting.

The “Wooden Warrior” has received praise from coaster and theme park enthusiasts since opening last April.

“The ride speaks for itself,” noted George Frantzis, a Quassy owner. “It’s a small ride that offers a fantastic experience for its size. We’ve been told that time and again by our guests and coaster experts who have traveled great distances to ride it.”

The 1,250-foot ride was designed by The Gravity Group of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the first “junior coaster” in the firm’s portfolio. In addition, Quassy selected The Gravity Group’s sister firm, Gravitykraft, to provide its state-of-the-art Timberliner train for the ride. The “Wooden Warrior” is the first new coaster in the United States to feature the sleek train.

“The resulting ride is fast, smooth and a lot of punch for a little coaster,” the Yates said in their award statement.

Quassy Amusement Park will open its 104th season on April 28. For more information visit www.quassy.com.

Also, visit these related Web sites: www.behindthethrills.com and www.thegravitygroup.com.

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