The Art of Attractions: Craving Coastal Coasters
There is a natural symbiosis between beaches and amusements. Crashing waves and crashing bumper cars were made for each other. Amid uncertainty, struggle, and strife—and Lord knows we’ve had more than our share this year—there’s comfort to be found strolling along the boardwalk.
My parks and attractions education started at a very young age and included wonderful adventures visiting amusement areas along the New England coast.
One particularly memorable early excursion, which has become part of Levine family mythology, took place at Massachusetts’ Salisbury Beach. I frolicked in the surf and sand; basked in the glory of the Ferris wheel, carousel, dodgem, and other rides; and gorged on soft-serve and giant, fluffy onion rings. I have vivid scent memories of the salt air; the pungent fried onions; the grease that lubricated the Ferris wheel; and the musty, yet somehow intoxicating smell that permeated the carousel building.
As the sun faded, a barroom brawl spilled onto the midway. From a safe distance, we watched as would-be pugilists joined the fray. The police, with their sirens blaring, quickly quelled the melee.
As a toddler, I figured the nighttime spectacular was staged to entertain visitors. It certainly delighted me, and in my wide-eyed wonder, I thought it perfectly capped a day at the beach. I profusely thanked my folks and declared it to be “the best day I ever had.” They got a huge kick out of my gratitude, and we’ve been laughing about the event for decades.
A number of years later, I rode my first major wooden coaster, the “Wildcat,” at Salisbury Beach. I enjoy returning every summer to the beach. The onion rings still taste as sweet, but the coaster and nearly all of the other amusements are long gone. If I listen carefully, I swear I can hear the click, click, click of the train ascending the lift hill and the screams of the passengers echoing in the wind whipping off of the ocean.
Visits to similar places like Old Orchard Beach in Maine, Coney Island in New York City, and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in California stir memories and fulfill longings. It’s heartening to see shore parks and attractions reinvent themselves and thrive as they bring joy to new generations. I applaud those of you who uphold the grand tradition that’s been stewarded with great care and love by generations of operators and owners. I implore you to continue to evolve. Today’s toddlers need you more than ever.
I’ll see you at the beach. I’ll be the one munching on onion rings and waiting for the nighttime spectacular to begin.
A lifelong park fanatic, Arthur Levine has been writing newspaper and magazine travel features about the industry he loves since 1992. He’s been the Theme Parks Expert at TripSavvy.com (formerly About.com) since 2002, and is a regular contributor for USA Today.
