DelGrosso's Park: Difference between revisions

Delgrosso's Amusement Park
Previously known as Bland's Park
	File:Delgrossosparklogo.jpg
Location	Tipton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Opened	1907
Owner	The DelGrosso Family
Slogan	A Family Tradition
Area	Tipton, PA
Attractions
Roller coasters	3
Water rides	5
Website	http://www.delgrossos.com

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Revision as of 20:43, 26 May 2011

DelGrosso's Amusement Park is a family-oriented amusement park located in Tipton, Pennsylvania, a northern suburb of Altoona, Pennsylvania. The park was purchased by the DelGrosso family in 1946 and was named "Bland's Park" until 2000. In 2000, the DelGrosso family decided to change its name to "DelGrosso's Amusement Park." The park is known for its family-friendly ride line-up, food and games as well as free parking and admission. The park hosts picnics and special music events in its pavilion/picnic area. The park owns two uncommon rides, an Eli Bridge Ferris wheel, and the Space Odyssey, one of the three "Caterpillar" rides still in operation.

History

Formerly known as Bland's Park until 2000, the small family-friendly amusement park is located in Tipton, in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Altoona railroad businessman Fred Delgrosso purchased the amusement park in 1946.

DelGrosso's Amusement Park was originally opened by the Rinard brothers on the Blands' family farm in 1907. The park fell into disrepair during the Great Depression. It was purchased in 1946 by Fred DelGrosso, at which time only a few picnic shelters remained. The DelGrosso family has continued to invest in the park with various additions and improvements and continues to operate it today.

The DelGrosso family is also the founder of DelGrosso Foods, Inc. DelGrosso Foods produces and distributes pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti noodles, and other Italian specialty items.

The current park

Highlights of the park include go-cart racing, an extensive kiddie-land, small water rides/waterpark, miniature golf, pavilion and catering amenities. The park hosts several annual events throughout the year. The “Summer Thunder” fireworks show for the 4th of July is a highlight of the park's season. Other events include the Native American Pow Wow, Italian Festival and Harvestfest which is a fall festival held in September to close out the season. The park also hosts "Spaghetti Wednesday" which features a special Italian dish each Wednesday during the summer.

The park resides on both sides of Old Route 220. The water rides/waterpark, go-kart racing, miniature golf, water-side concessions and parking lie on the southeast side of the road, while the games, park rides, pavilions and park-side food reside on the northwest side of the road. There is a wheelchair-accessible walking bridge connecting both sides of the park over Old Route 220. Ride and waterpark passes may be purchased on either side of the park.

At the beginning of each day, the park salutes the United States with The Star Spangled Banner. At this time everything in the park is halted as the national anthem is played.

Roller coasters

After the 2003 season, the park sold its Pinfari "Zyklon" roller coaster, installed in 1987, to Blue Diamond Park (Which Closed In 2008). A Zamperla "Crazy Mouse" was installed in its place in 2004. In the same year a Fajume "Wacky Worm" kiddie coaster was added to the park.

In 2006, the park purchased the "Revolution," an Arrow loop and corkscrew, from Libertyland for $55,000 USD at auction. The coaster is still on-site as of May 2011 and at this time has no official opening date.

For the 2010 season, the park installed four new rides: a Chance-Morgan Pharaoh's Fury (an Egyptian-themed pirate ship ride), a Chance Morgan Yo-Yo (a roundabout swing ride), a Sellner Dizzy Dragons (a kiddie ride similar in concept to tea cups) and the X Scream (a 140 foot drop tower ride). The park also retired the Balloon Race and the Sea Dragon to make room for these additions in 2009.

Rides

Pharaoh's Fury
Yo-Yo
Scrambler
Tipton Creek Railroad
Free Fall
Tilt-A-Whirl
Paratrooper
Space Odyssey
Flying Bobs
Super Spiral
Dodgems
Casino
X Scream Tower
Carousel

Kiddie rides

Fire Trucks
Corvette Race Cars
Boats
Elephants
Whales
Turtles
Dizzy Dragons
Helicopters
Merry-Go-Round

Roller coasters

Crazy Mouse
Wacky Worm

Past

Zyklon
Little Dipper
Two Bumper Car Rides
Flying Scooters
Sea Dragon
Balloon Race
Ferris Wheel
Red Baron

Water attractions

Tipton Waterworks
Tipton Rapids

Red Tower:

Midnight Express
Great White
Gravity Groove

Green Tower:

Twin Twisters

Upcharge attractions

Altoona-Tipton Speedway (Go-Karts)
Mini-Golf

External links

40°38′09″N 78°17′46″W / 40.6358°N 78.2961°W / 40.6358; -78.2961

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 After the 2003 season, the park sold its [[Pinfari]] "Zyklon" [[roller coaster]], installed in 1987, to Blue Diamond Park (Which Closed In 2008). A [[Zamperla]] "Crazy Mouse" was installed in its place in 2004. In the same year a Fajume "Wacky Worm" kiddie coaster was added to the park.
-In 2006, the park purchased the "Revolution," an [[Arrow Dynamics|Arrow]] loop and corkscrew, from [[Libertyland]] for $55,000 USD at auction. The coaster is still on-site as of July 2010 and at this time has no official opening date.
+In 2006, the park purchased the "Revolution," an [[Arrow Dynamics|Arrow]] loop and corkscrew, from [[Libertyland]] for $55,000 USD at auction. The coaster is still on-site as of May 2011 and at this time has no official opening date.
 For the 2010 season, the park installed four new rides: a Chance-Morgan Pharaoh's Fury (an Egyptian-themed pirate ship ride), a Chance Morgan Yo-Yo (a roundabout swing ride), a Sellner Dizzy Dragons (a kiddie ride similar in concept to tea cups) and the X Scream (a 140 foot drop tower ride). The park also retired the Balloon Race and the Sea Dragon to make room for these additions in 2009.