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co-owner of the park, of the negotiations involving his late grandfather. The park and its carousel also survived more turbulent
years during the Second World War and with the end of the war in 1945, the following year saw Quassy promoting new rides for the coming summer season. A new clambake pavilion and more rides were added in 1948 as the property was gradually transformed into a traditional family amusement venue, while during the following years, the Frantzis family gradually acquired more interest in the park as the other partners began to relinquish their shares. What is thought to be the first complete kiddyland
purchased from the well-known Allan Herschell Co. of New York, famous for its carousel rides, was added to Quassy in 1952, this being a four-ride package consisting of a Little Dipper roller coaster, Sky Fighter jets, boats and pony carts. With the exception of the latter, all the rides continue to entertain young visitors today after more than 50 years of operation at the park. The Morris carousel operated at Quassy until 1989
when the owners decided it should be retired. An auction to dispose of the ride piece by piece brought national attention to the park and selected menagerie figures sold for more than US $40,000 each. By the time the auction came to a close, more than US $630,000 had been raised, the proceeds allowing the park to place an order for a new 50ft grand carousel for
the following year from Chance
Rides in Kansas. Somewhat significantly, at the time Chance also owned the former Allan Herschell Co. and was building carousels based on the original Herschell blueprints. The new carousel was installed in March 1999, with the
inner three rows of resin-moulded horses being replicas from the Allan Hershcell line. Today, a plaque in the roundhouse honours the late George J. Frantzis for his more than 50 years of commitment to the park and the local community.
www.InterPark.co.uk 29
The ‘face’ of Quassy Amusement Park has remained
pretty much the same over the years, with the venue continuing to offer
the laid back atmosphere of the
traditional facility that was the cornerstone of its foundation. And even with the advent of large theme parks over the past few decades – including several within driving distance of western Connecticut – Quassy has managed to maintain its own identity as the alternative to the ‘mega’ facilities. Rarely, for example, do visitors encounter long queue
lines for rides, nor do they experience packed walkways. Pricing has also been a friend to Quassy as the park does not charge an admission fee, instead charging for individual rides or selling ride wristbands, allowing parents and grandparents to spectate while children enjoy classic attractions such as the Sellner Tilt-A-Whirl and the Chance Trabant.
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