Canobie Lake Park
Slogan | Just for fun |
---|---|
Location | Salem, New Hampshire, U.S. |
Coordinates | 42°47′42″N 71°15′01″W / 42.79500°N 71.25028°WCoordinates: 42°47′42″N 71°15′01″W / 42.79500°N 71.25028°W |
Opened | 1902[1] |
Operating season | May– Late October [2] |
Rides | |
Total | 47 |
Roller coasters | 4 |
Water rides | 4 |
Website |
canobie |
Canobie Lake Park is an amusement park located in Salem, New Hampshire, United States, about 30 miles (48 km) north of Boston, Massachusetts.
Description
Canobie Lake Park opened on August 23, 1902, as a trolley park for the Massachusetts Northeast Street Railway Company.[3] The amusement park has opened every summer since then. In the park's early years, it was known for its flower gardens, promenades and gentle attractions. From the 1930s to the early 1950s, Canobie Lake Park’s Dancehall Theater became known as an entertainment destination hosting names such as Guy Lombardo, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra; in later years, such acts as Sonny & Cher and Aerosmith appeared.[1] Today, owned by three different families, the park features over 50 rides, including roller coasters, a log flume, a hand-painted antique carousel, a steam train, a Ferris wheel, the "Starblaster", "Dodgems", "DaVinci's Dream", over a dozen kiddie rides, a variety of foods, prize games, three arcades, live entertainment, fireworks, and more.
The Yankee Cannonball, a 1930s-era wooden roller coaster, is one of the park's best known rides. The park also has a looping, steel roller coaster named the Canobie Corkscrew, designed by Arrow Dynamics. It was formerly located at Old Chicago, where it was called the "Chicago Loop".[4] There is also a kiddie coaster, called "The Dragon".
The park also features one of the few dark rides in New England, titled "Mine of Lost Souls". Passengers board a "mine car" and are transported into the depths of a dark mine, which begins to collapse. Another flat ride at Canobie is the "Psychodrome", a 12-car Scrambler ride located in a dome, with special effects lighting and music.
Located towards the back of the park, along the lake, is a Chute-the-Chutes ride titled "The Boston Tea Party". Riders board a large boat and are transported up a lift hill. They turn around and plunge down a tunnel into the water below, creating a large wave.
Also in the back portion of the park is a rotor ride named "Turkish Twist". Riders stand with their backs to the wall of a cylindrical drum (with no ceiling, so others can watch from above). The entire drum begins spinning, and the riders are pushed against the wall by the strong centrifugal force. The floor then drops out from beneath them, while they remain stuck to the wall.
In 2001, the park opened "Ocean Trip", which has been replaced by "Boston Harbor Patrol" (to fit the "Boston Tea Party" theme).
2002 was the park's 100th season. In that year, it opened an S&S Power Double Shot ride named "Starblaster".[5] In 2003 the park opened "DaVinci's Dream", a Chair-O-Planes-type ride. "Wipeout", a tropical surf theme ride, replaced "Kosmo Jets" (an SDC Telecombat ride). It opened for the last three days of the 2004 season, and was officially opened in 2005. Also in 2005, the park opened a new water park called "Castaway Island". The park also added a ride called "Skater". "Skater" took up some of the removed Rockin' Rider site, but has since been moved to the old location of the "Paratroopers" ride (which will be sold and has been removed from the park). In 2007, Canobie Lake opened a HUSS Frisbee named "Xtreme Frisbee" at the original "Rockin' Rider" site.
In 2011 the park added Untamed, a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter 320+ model. This is the fourth Euro-Fighter to be added to the US and the only one that resides in the North East. It is the first roller coaster to be added to Canobie Lake since the Canobie Corkscrew, which opened in 1987. The ride features a 72-foot vertical lift and a beyond vertical drop at a 97 degree angle. Untamed also takes riders through three inversions, a vertical loop, an Immelmann maneuver, and a Zero-G-Roll. The ride reaches a top speed of 43.5 mph and has a length of 1185 feet.
ScrEEEmfest
On certain weekends in September and October, Canobie Lake Park opens its doors in the afternoon and evenings for ScrEEEmfest, a special event run by the park that features Canobie's most popular rides plus five walk-through haunted attractions. Past "haunts" have included Merriment Incorporated, The Dead Shed, The Village, Head Hunters at Cannibal Lake, Cannibal Island, Demons of Darkness, and Virus.[6] The three most-popular "haunts" (Merriment Incorporated, The Dead Shed and The Village) have been featured every year since the event's incarnation. The event also features kid-friendly entertainment including a Pumpkin Palace, a petting zoo, and Monster Parade.[7]
Rides and attractions
Name | MFG | Year added | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Thrill rides | |||
Canobie Corkscrew | Arrow Development | |
Canobie's first inverting coaster. Originally manufactured in 1975, the Canobie Corkscrew operated at Old Chicago from 1975 to 1980 as the "Chicago Loop". It operated from 1982 to 1986 at the Alabama State Fairgrounds as "Corkscrew". It began operating at Canobie Lake in 1987. The Canobie Corkscrew is one of the first steel looping roller coasters manufactured in the world and is part of a series of Arrow corkscrew models produced from 1975-1979. |
Pirata | S.D.C. | |
Modeled after an old Spanish galleon |
Psychodrome | Eli Bridge Company | |
An indoor Scrambler ride with music and various visual effects |
Starblaster | S&S Power | |
Replaced the "Moon Orbiter". The ride was installed by Ride Entertainment Group.[9] |
Turkish Twist | S.D.C.[10] | |
|
Untamed | Gerstlauer | |
Steepest coaster in the Northeast with 97-degree drop |
Wipeout | Chance Rides | |
Replacement of the "Kosmojets" |
Xtreme Frisbee | HUSS | |
Replacement of the Galaxi coaster |
Yankee Cannonball | Philadelphia Toboggan Company | |
Classic wooden coaster loaded with air-time hills |
Family rides | |||
Antique Carousel | Looff/Dentzel/Stein & Goldstein | |
|
Antique Cars | Arrow Development | |
|
Blue Heron | |
A 20-minute boat ride on Canobie Lake | |
Boston Harbor Patrol | |
||
Canobie 500 | Arrow Dynamics | |
|
Canobie Express | Crown Metal Products | 2 ft (610 mm)[11] narrow gauge steam engine and propane-fired[3] | |
Caterpillar | Harry Traver | |
Bought from Palisades Amusement Park |
Crazy Cups | Philadelphia Toboggan Company | |
|
DaVinci's Dream | Wood Design bv | |
|
Dodgems | |
Bumper car ride | |
Giant Sky Wheel | Preston Barbieri | |
|
Kiddie Dragon Coaster | Zamperla | |
|
Mine of Lost Souls | Sally Corporation | |
Dark Ride |
Over the Rainbow | Zamperla | |
|
Skater | Zamperla | |
|
Sky Ride | SkyTrans Mfg.[13] and Universal Design | |
|
Twist & Shout | Sellner Manufacturing | |
|
Wave Blaster | Zamperla | |
Only ride of its kind in the United States |
Zero Gravity | Battech Enterprises | |
Replaced similar Round Up ride |
Water rides | |||
Boston Tea Party | Hopkins Rides | |
Soaking wet ride |
Castaway Island | WhiteWater West | |
AquaPlay RainFortress water play structure |
Policy Pond Log Flume | Hopkins Rides | |
|
Tall Timber Splash | WhiteWater West Industries | |
Double water slide coaster |
Kids rides | |||
Alpine Swing | Sartori Rides International | |
Kiddie version of Da Vinci's Dream |
Autobahn | |||
Boats | |||
Fire Engines | |||
Flower Power | William Mangels | |
Kiddie Whip |
Helicopters | |||
Jeeps | |||
Jump Around | |
A kiddie version of Wave Blaster | |
Jungle Bounce | S&S Power | |
|
Junior Sports Cars | Arrow Dynamics | |
|
Kiddie Canoes | Venture Manufacturing | |
|
Kiddie Carousel | |
||
Mini Dinos | Zamperla | |
|
Mini-Skooter | Zamperla | |
Kiddie version of the Dodgems |
Pony Carts | |
||
Sea/Land Rescue | Allen Herschell & Zamperla | |
|
Sky Fighters | |||
Tanks | |||
Other rides and attractions
- Castaway Island (added in 2005[15])
- "The Old Man O' The Mountain" Rock Wall
- Fireworks
- Games and Arcades
- Shows at the Country Stage, Midway Stage and Dancehall Theater
- Music by the Canobie Ramblers at the Log Flume Gazebo
- "Canobie Critters", with names Patches, Molly, Bruno, and Dapper.
- Canobie Lake Park "Funsquad", a flash-mob type group of people providing an interactive experience of hula-hooping and dancing to guests of all ages.
Retired attractions
Name | MFG | Year added | Year retired | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bowling alley | |
|
After purchasing the park in the 1960s, the owners burned all the pins from the bowling alley to keep warm during their first winter.[3] | |
Calypso | Mack | |
|
Replaced with the "Moon Orbitor" |
The Canobie Brass | N/A | |
|
A brass band that played three shows daily on the stage directly across from the entrance to the Yankee Cannonball. Members of the band were students from the University of Lowell College of Music, Berklee College of Music and Boston University. Instrumentation fluctuated somewhat, but the typical ensemble was alto sax/clarinet, tenor sax/flute, trumpet, trombone, electric piano, electric bass and drums. |
Equinox | KMG | |
|
A twisting, spinning and flipping ride. Removed due to mechanical issues. |
Fascination | |
|
Replaced with the "Jackpot Casino" | |
Figure 8 roller coaster | Frederick Ingersoll | |
|
|
House of Seven Gables | |
|
Walk-through haunted house | |
Jr. Roller Coaster | |
|
||
Kosmojets | SDC | |
|
Telecombat, originally purchased from Palisades Amusement Park. Replaced with "Wipeout" |
Matterhorn | SDC | |
|
Replaced with a concession stand "Hotdog Diner" |
Moon Orbitor | |
|
Replaced with the "Star Blaster" | |
Ocean Trip | SBF | |
|
Replaced with Boston Harbor Patrol |
Paratroopers | |
|
Originally purchased from Palisades Amusement Park. Replaced with "Skater". | |
Petting Zoo | N/A | |
|
|
Rockin' Rider | S.D.C. | |
|
Originally called Galaxi at Canobie before being rebranded/renamed; Replaced with "Xtreme Frisbee" |
Round Up | |
|
Replaced with "Zero Gravity" (Round Up) | |
Roller skating rink | |
|
Used to house ScrEEEmfest haunts | |
The Swamp | Pretzel | |
|
A dark ride that was replaced with the Can Alley game and employee center building |
Swimming pool | |
|
Removed to make room for a newer and larger main entrance; was also made redundant by the "Castaway Island" mini-water park. | |
Tiki-Maze | S.D.C. | |
|
Formerly the Crystal Orbiter, on broken motor-driven platform |
USA Missile | |
|
SBNO as of mid-1990s. The USA Missile is one of a small number of "space simulator" rides built early in the Space Age to a design by John Taggart and Sam Daugherty.[16] Passengers sit facing the nose of the rocket, which is then inclined. A movie is shown on a screen at the front as a crude simulation of space flight.
This ride was originally built for Palisades Park in 1958 by Todd Shipyard in California. It was then known as the "Ansco Rocket Ship".[17] Once it had been moved to Canobie, it was painted white with an American flag motif and renamed to "USA Missile".[18] Some time later, it was repainted again to mimic the markings used on such launch vehicles as the Saturn rockets.[19] Similar rides include Coney Island's Astroland Star Flyer. | |
Vertigo Theatre | |
|
Replaced with Autobahn to make room for "Wave Blaster" | |
The Whip | |
|
Was replaced with Matterhorn and then Equinox. Now picnic tables reside in that spot. | |
Wild Mouse | B. A. Schiff & Associates | |
|
Used wood supports and steel track. The Paratrooper replaced the Wild Mouse and later the Skater |
Xtreme Frisbee | HUSS | 2007 | 2016 | Removed due to mechanical issues |
Food service
Food service at Canobie is provided by Sodexo. There are twenty one permanent food stands and multiple mobile carts throughout the park. There is also a catering area that large groups can rent out and prepay for their food.
Midway
Name | Stand # | Location | Food |
---|---|---|---|
The Trellis | |
In front of the Carousel | Cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, cheeseburgers, hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken sandwiches, French fries, onion rings, tossed salad, chicken Caesar salad, milk, apple juice, water, coffee, hot chocolate, tea, soda, souvenir soda, souvenir refill |
Lemonade Stand | |
Next to the Crazy Cups | Lemonade, strawberry lemonade, pretzels, nacho cheese |
International Food Festival | |
Across from the Midway Stage | Cotton candy, candy apples, soft serve ice cream, hot dogs, Philly cheese steak, Italian sausage, personal cheese pizza, personal pepperoni pizza, French fries, frappes, baked potatoes, soda, souvenir refill |
Hot Dog Diner | |
Behind the Carousel | Steamed hotdogs, grilled hot dogs, dill pickles, Lays baked potato chips, Doritos, Gatorade, water, orange drink, root beer, soda |
Fried Dough | |
At the front entrance | Fried dough, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, strawberry sauce, whipped cream, strawberry shortcake dessert shot, soda, souvenir refill |
Village
Name | Stand # | Location | Food |
---|---|---|---|
Funnel Cake | |
In front of the Corkscrew | Soft serve ice cream, funnel cake, monkey bread, soda, souvenir refill |
Lumberjack Ice Cream | |
Across from the Log Flume | Soft serve ice cream, hard serve ice cream, sundaes, ice cream cookie sandwich, frappes, root beer, soda, souvenir refill |
The Chicken Coop | |
Next to the Village Stage | Chicken tenders, sweet and sour sauce, sweet chili sauce, barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey mustard, French fries, cheese fries, ranch topping, nacho cheese, Gatorade, soda, souvenir soda, souvenir refill |
Candy Shop | |
Across from Timber Splash | Fudge, assorted candy, rock candy, poofy pops, caramel apples, cotton candy |
Dancing Bear Canteen | |
Across from Timber Splash | Ribs, pulled pork sandwich, BBQ rib sandwich, grilled chicken, cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger, hamburger, hot dogs, mac & cheese, peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables, baked beans, corn on the cob, French fries, apple juice, Bud Light, soda, souvenir refill |
Popcorn Box | |
At the front entrance | Bagged popcorn, small bucket of popcorn, large bucket of popcorn, soda, souvenir refill |
Lakeside
Name | Stand # | Location | Food |
---|---|---|---|
Portofino | |
Next to Da Vinci's Dream | Cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, chicken tenders, pasta, meatballs, garlic bread, chicken Parmesan, meat lasagna, tossed salad, chicken caesar salad, milk, water, Bud Light, Heineken, wine, soda |
Yankee Whaler | |
Across from the Boston Tea Party | Soft serve ice cream, hard serve ice cream, cotton candy, popcorn, soda, souvenir soda, souvenir refill |
Son's of Liberty Tavern | |
Across from the Boston Tea Party | Chicken tenders, BLT sandwich, grilled Reuben, turkey club, tuna wrap, pulled pork sliders, tossed salad, chicken Caesar salad, mac and cheese, waffle fries, bacon and cheese fries, nachos, clam chowder, spinach and artichoke dip with chips, popcorn, peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables, milk, water, apple juice, Bud Light, Heineken, coffee, tea, wine, frozen drinks, soda |
Minuteman Fried Clams | |
Next to the Dancehall Theater | Fried clams, clam roll, lobster roll, chicken tenders, fish and chips, clam chowder, French fries, onion rings, soda, souvenir refill |
Lower
Name | Stand # | Location | Food |
---|---|---|---|
Cafe D'or | |
Next to the Midway stage | Starbucks coffee, Starbucks decaf, espresso, latte, cappuccino, chai latte, cafe mocha, caramel macchiato, cafe americano, hot chocolate, Starbucks iced coffee, Starbucks iced decaf, iced tea, iced chai tea, iced mocha, iced latte, iced cappuccino, iced macchiato, iced americano, frozen explosion, san pelligrino, apertif, flavored syrup shot, blueberry muffins |
Pizza Ria | |
Across from the Star Blaster | Cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, meatball sub, turkey sub, roast beef sub, ham and cheese sub, Italian sub, tossed salad, chicken Caesar salad, chicken noodle soup, broccoli and cheddar soup, Lays baked potato chips, Doritos, apples, soda, souvenir soda, souvenir refill |
Gables Grill | |
Next to Untamed | Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, double cheeseburgers, chicken club, hotdogs, chicken tenders, French fries, cheese fries, peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables, mac and cheese, milk, apple juice, water, soda, souvenir refill |
Poncho Cantina | |
Behind the Pizza Ria | Nachos, grande nachos, chicken tacos, beef tacos, chicken quesadilla, fries, cheese fries, chili cheese fries, fried dough, soda, souvenir soda, souvenir refill |
Be Bop Diner | |
Next to Skee Ball | Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken sandwich, French fries, water, soda |
Gallery
-
The Caterpillar
See also
References
- 1 2 Canobie Lake Park History
- ↑ http://www.canobie.com/hours.php
- 1 2 3 Seed, Douglas, & Khalife, Katherine (1996). Salem, NH. Volume II - Trolleys, Canobie Lake, and Rockingham Park, Images Of America. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-0438-5.
- ↑ "Salem's Canobie Lake Park Has Given 80 Years of Fun", New Hampshire Sunday News (Manchester, NH), June 17, 1990, Colleen Cowette
- ↑ s&swebwide2
- ↑ Canobie Lake Park ScrEEEmfest Haunts - Official Page http://www.canobie.com/screeemfest/haunts.htm. Missing or empty
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(help) - ↑ Canobie Lake Park ScrEEEmfest Official Website http://www.canobie.com/screeemfest/kids.htm. Missing or empty
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(help) - 1 2 3 "CANOBIE SPECIAL", Boston Globe, April 16, 1989.
- ↑ "Projects". Ride Entertainment Group. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
- ↑ Sandy, Adam. "The Flat Joint". Retrieved July 14, 2012.
- ↑ Surviving Steam Locomotive Search
- 1 2 "More sure signs of spring: Canobie Lake Park opens", New Hampshire Sunday News (Manchester, NH), April 29, 2001
- ↑ "SkyTrans Mfg. List of Clients". Retrieved 14 July 2012.
- ↑ "For your amusement - Region's theme parks have a host of new rides to thrill and chill you", Boston Herald, July 5, 1998, Karyn Miller-Medzon
- 1 2 "Canobie's new Castaway Island water complex opens", New Hampshire Union Leader, May 26, 2005
- ↑ "Coney Island Space Age Icon - will it be destroyed?". Coney Island History Project. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ↑ "Palisades Amusement Park - Rides and Attractions". Palisades Amusement Park Historical Society. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ↑ "CanobieFan - Decommissioned Rides". CanobieFan. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
- ↑ "USA Missile (Canobie Lake Park)". ThrillNetwork LLC. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
External links
- Official Canobie Lake Park web site
- Unofficial Canobie Lake Park web site
- Unofficial Canobie Lake Park Appreciation site
- Canobie Lake Park at the Roller Coaster DataBase
- Detailed review of Canobie Lake Park, circa 2001
- Ride change info, circa 2003
- Canobie Ramblers Official site