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Park Hoppin’ In association with Park Hoppin’with Susan Storey A


s I write this, we’ve just returned


from our summer road trip. Inspired in part by childhood vacations, we packed the car, ready to hit the highway. To start our journey, we took


Amtrak’s Auto Train — the only one of its kind in the United States. The train carried us – and our car - from Florida to Virginia. We spent the time riding the rails by playing Uno with fellow travelers, snacking and semi-dozing. Upon arrival in Virginia, we hopped back in our car and drove up to Elysburg, Pennsylvania, to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Knoebels Amusement Resort. Knoebels is a special place. Park President


Brian Knoebel often tells people it’s hard to describe, and that to truly understand the park, it must be experienced firsthand. He’s not wrong. Still family-owned and operated, Knoebels is an anomaly in the attractions industry. The park offers free parking, admission, live entertainment and picnic space, giving guests a rare sense of freedom, simplicity and ownership. Nestled in the grove among fully grown shade trees, the amusement park feels like it’s hidden in a magical forest — a portal to another time, where every moment is worth treasuring and protecting. The traditional midway is replaced by pathways that meander, pedestrian bridges that crisscross the creek and bold, cheerful music from the carousel that can be heard throughout the park. During the anniversary presentation, Brian’s nephew, Ethan Knoebel, told guests, “Knoebels is a place where time slows down, and tradition remains.” What a perfect way to describe the destination. The Knoebel family has created magic in their grove. They have not only survived for 100 years; they are continuing to thrive. Today, members of the fourth and fifth generations lead the park. It’s clear they lead by example. Anyone who works at Knoebels is part of an invested extended family that takes great pride in protecting park and ensuring it will continue to delight families for many generations to come. That kind of legacy does not happen by accident. It is built through countless daily choices to preserve what matters while still making room for what comes next. The park’s collection of rides is eclectic and


nostalgic while still being relevant and exciting. The Phoenix is consistently rated the number one wooden roller coaster in the world. The Flyer looks simple but once you get the rudder moving, it provides soaring thrills over the trees.


SUMMER PART TWO 2026


many, I have memories of times with Dick at industry events like IAAPA Expo and the Golden Ticket Awards. When I first met him 30 years ago, I was in awe of, this man who, while small in stature, was larger than life. Over the years, I’m proud to say he became an industry colleague and friend. I’ve been blessed to work closely with his son Brian, and to support his granddaughter Halley as she’s grown in her career journey. He loved this industry, his family’s park and his incredible family. He would constantly challenge all of us to do better, and definitely lived by the mantra “work hard, play hard.” I think anyone who met him has a favorite “Dick story” — some legendary, some unique, all special. As part of the third generation of family leaders at Knoebels, Dick demonstrated that legacy is not just inherited but should be actively protected and renewed. It’s interesting how milestones and farewells


The Cosmotron features dancing neon lights and pulsing music as guests travel forward and backward. We rode the beautiful Grand Carousel, and while neither of us got the brass ring, my son successfully grabbed seven rings, demonstrating that he figured out the timing while astride his wooden steed. We braved the Twister wooden coaster and were delighted when the Pioneer Train drove past a fawn and doe. At every turn, guests were enjoying the park in their own way: kids giggling, grandparents sharing ice cream and my own teen putting his phone away to focus on riding everything he could. He wasn’t the only one. Knoebels has a way of drawing people back into the moment. We also experienced the park the way founders Henry and Hattie Knoebel envisioned — together with close friends. Many of “our” people were there as well, gathering to honor the park’s milestone anniversary. Close industry friends and colleagues from all over the country, including Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, Baynum Solutions, IAAPA, ACE and RMC, were there. For many years, Knoebels has been recognized for its commitment to safety, connection and camaraderie across the attractions industry. By taking part in the anniversary event, we were also saying, ‘thank you’ to the Knoebel family sharing their park, with all of us. Together, we ate cake, rode rides and honored our friends. In all, it was the perfect summer day. Just after we returned home, Dick Knoebel, the


park’s patriarch, passed away. The news hit us hard. Dick served as president of Knoebels from 1988 until 2025. He was practical, passionate, brutally honest, stubborn and funny. Like so


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often arrive close together. One celebrates what has endured; the other reminds us why it endured in the first place. While Dick was not physically at the park for the anniversary event, we all heard a voice recording he made for that day. His voice rang out above the audience as he said, “Here’s to another 100 years.” Two weeks later, those words ring true as both his personal wish and his family’s promise to the next generations of guests. In his obituary, the Knoebel family wrote, “Dick’s legacy lives on in every laugh, every ride, and every tradition that makes Knoebels feel like home. He loved this park, he loved the guests who made it special, and he loved the team who cared for it each and every day.” Thank you, Dick. You are already missed, and you will never be forgotten.


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