Waldameer Amusement and Water Park in Erie, Pennsylvania

Why is Labor Day the saddest day in Erie, Pennsylvania? Because Waldameer closes for the season. I've been to Waldameer several times with my grandchildren, and their trips to this park are the highlight of their summer. (Even if we did get a bit too close to the fireworks one year, when ash literally rained down on us, and 2-year-old Katie clamped onto her mother for dear life screaming "Make the boom-booms stop!")

An Erie tradition and family-owned enterprise, Waldameer has been an amusement site for 114 years. It began as a "trolley park" in 1896 when the Erie Electric Motor Co., leased and developed Hoffman's grove, a popular picnic spot overlooking Lake Erie. They renamed it Waldameer, German for "woods by the sea."

Trolley Parks were started in the 19th century by streetcar companies to encourage people to patronize the trolleys on weekends. Picnic groves and recreation areas along or at the ends of streetcar lines eventually grew with the addition of pavilions, hosting dances, concerts and fireworks. Swimming pools, Ferris wheels, carousels, roller coasters, boats rides, ball fields and restaurants were eventually added, leading to the development of large amusement parks.

Waldameer is the fourth oldest still-operating trolley park in existence, the fourth oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania and the 10th oldest amusement park in the U.S. Located at the entrance to Presque Isle, Waldameer began with a dance hall, carousel, three roller coasters, and a beer garden with singing waiters. Waldameer expanded under GM (and later owner) Alex Moeller in the 1920s, the golden age of amusement parks, adding scores of rides over the next 20 years, including the Ravine Flyer and Monkey World.

A tragedy on the original Ravine Flyer roller coaster occurred in 1938 when the ride experienced problems clearing a hill. A man died when he fell onto Peninsula Drive as he stood up to calm his hysterical sister, and the ride was subsequently dismantled. When Monkey Island closed in the 1950s, reportedly the monkeys were sold to the government for the space program.

Moeller died in 1965, and Paul Nelson, his adopted son, took over. Expansion slowed in the next two decades, but in the 1980s Nelson took a major gamble and opened WaterWorld. The subsequent 20 years have seen even more expansion which, unfortunately came at a cost -- the old carousel and Blue Goose ride were sold off for a million dollars. Visit this page for the complete history of Waldameer.

Most recently, Nelson saw his dream come true of opening the Ravine Flyer II, a roller coaster which spans Peninsula Drive, the four lane road that enters Presque Isle, and provides spectacular views of Lake Erie. Designed by Gravity Group, this ride won Amusement Today's 2008 "Golden Ticket," the most prestigious award in the industry, as best new ride in the world that year. Take a virtual ride on the Ravine Flyer II here. The Comet roller coaster, circa 1951, was awarded the American Coaster Enthusiasts Coaster Classic Award, an award dedicated to wooden roller coasters. Waldameer's Pirate's Cove and Whacky Shack are creations of Bill Tracy, one of the greatest designers/builders of dark attractions in the amusement industry. Waldameer is presently in the midst of the third largest expansion in the park's history. (Tour Waldameer on this video.)

Today, more than 75 rides include spine-tingling thrillers, family classics, and traditional rides for tots, as well as WaterWorld. Waldameer features picnic areas, midway games and food concessions, four gift shops and fireworks on or around Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. Free live professional musical and dance entertainment is offered throughout the day.

Parking and admission to the amusement park is free; there is an admission fee for WaterWorld, no charge for tubes. Waldameer also welcomes group outings, offering private picnic groves and catered picnics, a Summer Youth Recreation Special, birthday parties and a two-hour day care special for tots. Click here to purchase season passes or gift cards.

Waldameer is a "slam-dunk, don't-miss" on a trip to Erie. Visit their website here for more details.

Sources: ACE website; Amusement Today; BillTracy.net; America'sBest; NAPHA.org; Ravine Flyer accident in 1938