https://www.laffinthedark.com/mysticraft/Knoebels/khd.html

Knoebels Haunted House has been thrilling dark ride fans for over 30 years. In this new DVD from Laff In The Dark, you’ll walk the track through the eerie corridors of this classic ride on a guided tour led by Knoebels Haunted House Supervisor Dave Wynn.

Also featured are interviews with park president Dick Knoebel who shares details about the design Knoebels Amusement Park Resort and construction history of the Haunted House, and John Fetterman, designer of Knoebels Twister coaster
and one of the first Haunted House ride operators.

You’ll also learn about the cars and sound effects AND take two full rides - first, in the dark and then with the lights on.

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Kennywood sold the ride system from their former Gold Rusher darkride on eBay (sale ended 7-8-2008).  The ride system was purchased by DAFE member Tom Gore who already owns the Haunted Dungeon in 3-D darkride in the Bricktown area of Oklahoma City. If all goes well, Tom hopes to open the ride in the spring or summer of 2009.

Tom was quick to point out that DAFE members were the last people to ever ride Gold Rusher and that he wants DAFE members to be the first to ride it in its new home.

Several DAFE members have already volunteered to assist Tom in loading the ride for the trip to its new home. Watch Barrel O’ Fun and the Daffy Klub web site for updates. In the mean time, Tom will need a name for the new darkride so put on your thinking caps!

From Tom Gore…

“I do want to say right now, I would LOVE DAFE to be a part in resurrecting the ride once again. Your group rode the last ride at Kennywood and I would like input for set/design for it’s new location and of course to bless the ride for it’s first costumers here in OKC. That would be pretty cool!!!”

“Location will take a little time to hash out and I plan to start banging doors next week on building owners here in Bricktown. I want it to be in a touristic venue. My early thoughts are to set up the ride and have an Oklahoma History ride. You know, the land run, Sooners, Indians, cowboys and buffalo and such. All the scenic features of the Oklahoma Ole days and narrated thru-out the ride.”

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The Geauga County Historical Society is considering relocating the Haybaler barn and saving some of the history of Geauga Lake park for display, and needs support in the form of donations and volunteers. Of immediately concern, the Society needs an indication that there will be support from the community - so please contact Cheryl McNulty at (440) 834-1492 or at sitemanager@geaugahistorical.org.

The Society has been offered the Haybaler barn for free. This is the building where the Haybaler/Matterhorn (aka “Himalaya � in the auction literature) was located. Though this is a relatively newer structure, moving it is more feasible than moving other older structures with significant dry rot (sad to say, including the Palace Theater).

If there is support for the project, the Haybaler barn would be reassembled in nearby Burton, Ohio where it would display Geauga Lake artifacts including the Dandy Lion and Shamu costumes, a recreated Palace Theater marquee, as well as other items from the theater and around the park including signs, mini-bowling games, pictures and posters. They would also like to purchase a car from the Haybaler/Matterhorn from Cleveland Scrap for display.

This project requires money and volunteers, and the society’s board is not yet certain they can take it on. Dis-assembly of the Haybaler building will cost $9,600 and an estimate is pending on reconstruction costs.

Though it may not be one of the older buildings, this project would preserve part of Geauga Lake park. More importantly, it would provide a home for some of the artifacts that the society has been able to salvage from the park, which even now is rapidly being destroyed.

Thanks to Dave Mitchell and Cheryl McNulty for passing this information to DAFE.

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As you know, Conneaut was devastated by the fire that destroyed the ballroom and maintenance shop. When we were at the park for the clean-up weekend, reality hit home, not only when seeing the empty spot where the ballroom was but also when we realized that all their tools big and small were lost. While everyone brought some brooms and rakes to clean up, it was obvious that the park needs to start replacing things just to maintain it in a closed status. I immediately thought that we enthusiasts could help out and volunteered to get the ball rolling.

I figure we all have extra and unneeded tools that we could donate to the park so I am asking that all of the amusement park groups contact their members for donations to the park. They can contact me through this site, or call the park at 814-382-5115.  (If you contact the park directly, please let me know what they are donating so I can keep track of the tools.) The park will also accept cash donations as well, but please contact the park directly.

We know that the park will not open this year, but they are hoping to get the Beach Club open. Some people have questioned why we are cleaning up the park if it is not opening, but it is still open to walk through and should be kept up in the hopes of it eventually reopening. (There were a lot of people walking through the park when we were cleaning up.) Don’t forget the coaster, carousel and many rides are still there so there is always hope that the park make another comeback.

Below are some of the tools that the park desperately needs for the park and campground (which is open.)

• spud bars
• pointed shovels
• picks
• hoes
• shrub trimmers
• chain saws
• rakes
• leaf rakes
• push broom
• sledge hammer
• weed eater
• blowers
• push mowers
• gas trimmer
• pruning tools
• general gardening tools
• hammers
• wrenches
• screwdrivers
• sockets and ratchets
• circular saws
• drills and bits
• Sawzall
• paint brushes, scrappers, drop cloths, and other paint items
• other hand tools and power tools
• wheel barrels and carts
• anything else that would be useful to the park

Eventually, the park will need to replace the major equipment lost in the fire as well such as gas and electric welders, saw tables, drill press and other shop equipment and ride manuals to name a few so keep an eye out for the big stuff too! Conneaut Lake Park is a “public trust” but I don’t know if they have non-profit status. Please pass this on to anyone that you know that may be able to help.

Thanks!

Rick Davis
Director of the Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts

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