Canobie Lake Park opens for its 106th year
Eagle Tribune
April 27, 2008
SALEM, N.H. — Dan Chin had his ticket in hand by 11 a.m., ready to be one of the first people on the Corkscrew Coaster.
Then the Methuen teen planned to hit the Xtreme Frisbee, Skater, Boston Tea Party and if he was feeling brave enough, maybe a spinning, floor-dropping ride on the Turkish Twist.
Dan had decided to end his school vacation week with a bang, and lucky for him, Canobie Lake Park happened to be opening its doors yesterday.
“It’s fun,” the 17-year-old said. “My parents have brought me here since I was a kid. It’s definitely gotten better. The rides are a lot cooler.”
Hundreds of people like him visited the New Hampshire landmark yesterday morning to ring in the start of the amusement park’s 106th season.
The park is open today, but then people have to wait again. Canobie is only operating on weekends until Memorial Day weekend, when it begins its summer operating schedule, open every day.
It will stay open through Sept. 28.
The park has managed to continue bringing in crowds, despite the growth of larger parks like Six Flags in the New England area.
Marilyn Hale, of Bow, N.H., said she thinks it’s the history that keeps bringing people to the park. She came when she was a child growing up in Windham, and now she brings her 4-year-old grandson.
“He loves riding the automated cars and the canoes,” Hale said. “Those were my favorite too.”
While the park will not feature any new rides this year, there are more than 85 rides to choose from. Canobie will also offer new music shows and stage performances, including a children’s show based on Bob the Builder and a show just for animal lovers, called “Jump,” which features performance dogs.
Last year, the park installed a new main gate and entrance plaza, and unveiled the Xtreme Frisbee, where riders soar 63 feet in the air and spin.
“A lot of people look forward to opening day every year,” Canobie Lake Park spokesman Chris Nicoli said. “We’re looking forward to a good season.”
When to go - Canobie Lake Park is now open on weekends.
For more information on hours and rates, visit http://www.canobie.com