in association with


Park Hoppin’ 


Drawn to the light A


round the turn of the 19th/20th Century, the popularity of amusement parks was enhanced by the emergence of electric lighting. A number of parks even called themselves “White City” to promote the


abundance of the electric lighting they featured. Founded in 1903, Coney Island’s original Luna Park consisted of a gaudy cluster of domed buildings and towers illuminated by an eye-popping 250,000 light bulbs. The park specialised in high concept rides that transported visitors to everywhere from 20,000 leagues under the sea and the North Pole to the surface of the moon. A luna trip could also serve as a stand in for world travel. The following year Coney Island's Dreamland was a park in which everything was reputed to be bigger and more expansive than in neighbouring Luna Park. Dreamland had a larger central tower and one million electric light bulbs illuminating and outlining its buildings (four times as many lights as Luna Park). Today we take electric lighting for granted, but a number of attractions have


discovered a new way to feature a light show, and coloured lights at that. In New Jersey, just west of Atlantic City, is Storybook Land, a roadside 20-acre amusement park owned and operated by the Fricano family. Since its establishment in 1955, Storybook Land has been keeping the spirit of childhood alive in an entertaining and educational atmosphere. When I visited last summer, John Fricano urged me to return in December. So I did. Understand that Storybook Land is located in a region of the United States


where most parks operate for a 100-day season, with some beginning at Easter and winding down in mid-October. December is cold, but Storybook Land remains open weekends, then daily through much of December. During the Christmas season, the entire park is adorned with lights and all the rides and snack bars are in full operation. Every night, children experience Christmas magic right before their eyes as Santa Claus appears in his chimney, waves his magic wand, and lights all of the lights in the park. There is a walk-through Christmas tree, a singing wreath and a digital light show playing throughout the night. This was the densest display of Christmas lighting I have ever seen. Christmas at Storybook Land is a sight to behold. On the other hand, Cinderella and me pictured here is not a sight to behold. The Christmas season starts on the second Saturday in November and runs


through until the end of December. All decorating is done in-house by the park's maintenance staff, beginning in late-August, and it usually takes the staff about three months to take down and put away all the lights. In total there are 15 family rides in at Storybook Land, a park that is


perfectly groomed and cared for. Parking is free, and the items in the gift shop are reasonably priced. By the time I arrived Sunday night, just before 5pm, it was already dark. It was cold, but the place was jammed with exactly the type of visitors every park operator dreams of entertaining. Families with small children were having the times of their lives. And why not? The Fricanos are doing something right.


FEBRUARY 2017


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