Fun, Food, and Fantasy

"Everyone of all ages can have fun at Knoebels! Anytime, anyday, there is nothing you can't do!", says Madison Sypniewski with a wide smile stretched across her friendly face. Madison is an energetic employee at Knoebels, America's largest free admission Amusement Park. Different people, each with unique personalities, can have an amazing experience at the park. With thrilling rollercoasters, rides for different ages, a crystal-clear swimming pool, extreme water slides, and a relaxing camping area, there is always something delightful to do. Along with all of these attractions, Knoebels has a three pond, eighteen-hole golf course to enjoy. The wide variety of mouth-watering food pulls in local visitors who are looking for a treat. Although Knoebels has so many rides and attractions, an exhilarating wooden rollarcoaster named the Phoenix and the old-fashioned Antique Cars are two of the best known rides.

While entering the crowded amusement park, a cool breeze nips at the nose and an array of red and orange leaves just begin to fall. Laughter of innocent children and roars of swift rollarcoasters block out the organ music that plays in the background. While waiting in the long line for the Phoenix, anyone can inhale the aroma of salty fried food being cooked at the nearby food court. When approaching the front of the line, a friendly young man who wears a visor over top of his blonde hair, greets new riders. Tanner Shaw operates the Phoenix while wearing a blue Knoebels shirt and cargo

figure 1: Phoenix

shorts. "Knoebels is a great place to work. I like all the different people I get to meet and all my coworkers are awesome", he says in a slightly raspy voice. "Also, you get a different experience everyday so it keeps the job fun", he adds as the ride before me was dispatched. The buttercup yellow train creaked as it pulled into the station. All the riders laugh as they exit the ride and everyone's hair looks as though a tornado swept through it. My ride finally begins to start and we enter a long, pitch black tunnel. The darkness of the tunnel is so intense, even a hand in front of my face would go unseen. Butterflies sworm around in my stomach as the train races down the 78 foot drop, at a speed of about 45 miles per hour. Toward the end of the ride, my body violently jerks out of the seat as the train quickly races over four small humps in the track. The Phoenix is a highly sophisticated rollarcoaster and each operator must pay attention at all times. "What people don't know is that the breaks are manual, so the operator has to turn each individual break on at a certain point or the ride would stop at the wrong time", Tanner explains. One advantage of the ride is that when the park is overflowing with visitors, a second train can be run so the waiting time isn't horrendous. "When we put on a second train though, you must be certified before they allow you to operate the ride", Tanner expresses with a hint of attitude. For passengers, the Phoenix looks like a fast, swift, and fun thrill to experience. On the other hand, for operators, the ride is very complicated and requires their focus and undivided attention.

figure 2: see note

The neighbor ride of the Phoenix is the Antique Cars which have been an attraction at Knoebels for quite some time. The cars drive visitors back in time to the 20th century for an experience unlike any other. The Antique Cars move along a guide rail so even young, reckless children can drive. Before entering the burgundy taxi cab, Madison's sweet hazel eyes meet mine and she collects my tickets (figure 2). Seats in the front and back of each car accommodate as many as can fit. The single gas pedal moves the car when stepped on and stops the car when released for easy operation. When riders begin driving, they slowly pass by the newly renovated go cart track that is a popular ride for younger children. The ride is calming and scenic as it proceeds through an area with ravishing landscaping and goes through a dark red covered bridge. The Antique Cars chug slowly along underneath the Phoenix coaster. When the ride nears the ending point, Madison's long brown hair will be seen in the distance as she helps the previous riders who are exiting. Although the courteous workers of the Antique Cars seem to have one of the easier jobs at Knoebels, most of their challenges come when the park closes. "We have to take the cars off the track and park them at the end of the day", Madison explains in a mellow tone. "In order to get the cars off, you have to take apart some of the track. One time, someone forgot to put the track back together and a young boy ended up driving off the road and into the parking area", she chuckles. "My favorite thing about working the Antique Cars is that during Halloween we make the ride scary", Madison says. "We use a lot of spooky decorations throughout the ride and sometimes we sit by the track to scare riders." During the Halloween weekends at Knoebels, the line for the Antique Cars looks like it could stretch from the U.S. to China. The Antique Cars attract so many different faces whether it be during the summer months or in October.

Before adventuring out into a different area of the park, I run into Marissa Kleman, a red-haired, athletic young woman who just rode the Antique Cars. "Knoebels is my home away from home", she says with passion in her voice. "My family owns a cottage here at the park so everytime I visit, the Antique Cars is the first ride I go to!", she exclaims. "I love how relaxing the ride is and the friendly workers make my day." A variety of people enjoy Knoebels because of the cheerful environment. By having free admission, parking, entertainment, and picnic facilities, the park can be experienced without spending a boat load of money. The consistently top rated rollar coaster, the Phoenix, and the historical Antique Cars add excitement and amusement to the well-known park. Leaving Knoebels causes even adults feel a glimpse of sadness. To learn more about Knoebels or plan a visit, view their website!