People in our area know Knoebels Amusement Resort as a fun and inexpensive way to spend a day. Now, people all around the country are learning the same thing. Knoebels in Elysburg was recently named the number two amusement park in America, by the Travel Channel.
"We believe it. We come all the time. It's so easy. They don't charge for parking, we just come in, spend a few hours and go home," Mary Jo Skjoldal said.
"We are very thrilled to be number two. We're up there way ahead of the theme parks. We are a very traditional park and I think that's what makes Knoebels special," Leanna Knoebel-Muscato said.
The Knoebel family believes one of the main reasons Knoebels was named the number two theme park in America by the Travel Channel is because of this Grand Carousel, which is celebrating its 100 year anniversary.
"It is really what makes Knoebels what Kknoebels is," Knoebel-Muscato said.
Independence Day was a celebration for the Grand Carousel. Knoebels offered free rides all day on the carousel, and people could learn about the ride's history.
"It's fantastic. It has the old rhythm to it, that's what I like the best about it," Gary Royer said.
Knoebels staff says this carousel is one of few remaining amusement parks where riders can try to catch the brass ring.
"This is actually his first ride today. My mom's been riding it, I'm sure my grandparents have been riding it. It's cool to know that you're doing something that people have been doing for 100 years," Jessica Renard said.
Many of the other rides at Knoebels also have a lot of history, and there are new ones as well...which keeps people coming back to the number two amusement park in the country year after year.