NAPHA ParkHop23

Our Premier 2023 Summer Event

Hop on the trolley and join NAPHA as we journey to one of the United States’ most historic regions for ParkHop23!  We will visit three of the country's 12 surviving trolley parks in Western Pennsylvania and New York as we celebrate the 125th anniversaries of National Historic Landmark, Kennywood, and NAPHA Heritage Fund Recipient Midway State Park.  Of the more than 4,000 amusement parks that have operated in the United States, only 19 have survived to see their 125th anniversaries, so being able to celebrate two in the same event is something special!  They will be the ninth and tenth amusement parks that NAPHA has welcomed to this exclusive club.


But that’s not all! ParkHop23 will take us to two former amusement parks to explore their remnants, three museums including two NAPHA Heritage Fund recipients, and another park being revived with classic attractions by NAPHA Champion of Preservation award winner Gene Staples - Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World.


NEW for 2023! Event T-Shirts!

Let's wear them to the park and make a statement!

For the first time in decades, NAPHA is pleased to be offering event T-Shirts!
Price is $20.00. Order your shirts when registering for the eventt

If you already registered for the event, you can still place an order.

>Visit the online registration page and select the number of t-shirts you want to purchase. Do not add any other tickets to your purchase. Click next and fill out the information (you already did this when you registered for the event but the system requires it again). Select purchase. Your order will be placed and you will receive your t-shirt at ParkHop23!

T-Shirt Details

This unisex cotton tee is of classic style with quality cotton construction. The shoulders are tapered for a good upper-body fit. There are no side seams, ensuring a clean, unbroken flow. The collar has ribbed knitting for improved elasticity. The materials that went into this product are sustainably sourced and economically friendly.
- 100% Cotton
- Medium fabric (6.0 oz/yd² (203 g/m²))
- Classic fit
- Tear away label
- Runs bigger than usual

Daily Schedule (UPDATED 6/26/23 at 5:37pm)

(while every effort will be made to follow this schedule, it is subject to change)

Pre-Event: NAPHA Archives at West View Hub

Wednesday, July 26th

  • 6:00pm-8:00pm: Some of the NAPHA Archives will be on display, along with West View Hub's West View Park artifacts. 
  • Back issues of the NAPHA Chronicle will also be available for sale at a discounted price. 
  • Nearby, check out the former amusement park site and West View Park Shopping Center sign, Center Avenue Slice, a pizza shop featuring a West View Park mural and memorabilia, and an Alpine Sky Ride vehicle on display.

West View Hub - Details & Directions

https://www.westviewhub.org//


About the hub:
The West View Hub is a community center for the neighborhood of West View. It includes an impressive collection of West View Park items, including the antique carousel panels.


Address:
435 Perry Highway, West View, PA

Hop #1: Kennywood Park
(West Mifflin, PA)

Thursday, July 27th

  • 9:30am: Check-in at main entrance; free preferred parking available until 10:30am. 
  • 10:00am: ERT on Racer and Jack Rabbit
  • 11:00am: First Ride of the Day on Spinvasion
  • 11:30am: Plaque presentation at the Garden Stage followed by group photo in front of Kangaroo
  • 2:00pm: Lunch at Pavilion 8 followed by Heritage Fund Auction and Q&A with park management
  • Post-Lunch: Behind the scenes tour of Noah's Ark and Old Mill. Opportunity to photograph Racer/Jack Rabbit.
  • 9:00pm: Park Closes; ERT on Thunderbolt

Kennywood - Details & Directions

https://www.kennywood.com/


About the park:
Celebrating its 125th season, Kennywood is one of only two amusement parks that are National Historic Landmarks. The trolley park features an incredible collection of rare and vintage rides while offering modern thrills.


Address:
4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, PA 15122

HOP #2: Rock Point Park
(Ellwood City, PA)

Friday, July 28th

(about 70 minute drive from Hop #1)

  • 8:30am: Tour of defunct Rock Point Park grounds, ruins, and artifacts.

Rock Point Park - Details & Directions

http://www.wildwaterwaysconservancy.org/recreational-opportunities.html


About the park:
Rock Point Park operated as an amusement park from 1885 to 1912. Wild Waterways Conservancy purchased the property and now maintain it as a recreational spot, open to the public. Ruins from its amusement park days are scattered on the picturesque park grounds.


Address:
152-774 Rock Point Rd, Ellwood City, PA 16117

HOP #3: Cascade Park
(New Castle, PA)

Friday, July 28th

(about 20 minute drive from Hop #2)

  • 9:45am: Tour of defunct Cascade Park grounds, ruins, and artifacts.

Cascade Park - Details & Directions

https://www.newcastlepa.org/departments/recreation-department/


About the park:
Cascade Park operated as an amusement park from 1897 to 1981. Now a community park, remnants of amusements are scattered on park grounds, including the carousel pavilion and ride footers.


Address:
1928 E Washington St, New Castle, PA 16101

HOP #4: DeBence Antique Music World
(Franklin, PA)

Friday, July 28th

(about 75 minute drive from Hop #3)

  • 1:00pm: Tour of museum 

DeBence Antique Music World - Details & Directions

https://debencemusicworld.com/


About the museum:
The DeBence Antique Music World Museum houses a collection of more than 100 antique mechanical musical instruments dating from the mid 1800’s to the 1940’s.


Address:
1261 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA 16323

HOP #5 : Waldameer & WaterWorld
(Erie, PA)

Friday, July 28th
(about 70 minute drive from Hop #4)

  • 4:30pm: Arrive and meet at Lakeview Picnic Shelter for dinner
  • 9:00pm:  Park closes
  • 9:15pm:  ERT on Ravine Flyer II

Waldameer & WaterWorld - Details & Directions

http://www.waldameer.com


About the park:
Located at the base of Presque Isle, Waldameer is the fourth oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania, the tenth oldest in the nation, and one of only thirteen trolley parks still operating in the United States. The park is packed with amusements.


Address:
220 Peninsula Drive, Erie, PA 16505

HOP #6: Midway State Park
(Bemus Point, NY)

Saturday, July 29th

(about 60 minute from Hop #5)


To celebrate Midway Park's 125th season, NAPHA members are encouraged to dress in their best 1890s-1920s fashion. A prize for the best dressed.

  • 9:45am: Meet at Midway Park
  • 10:00am: ERT on Bumper Cars and Little Dipper
  • 11:00am: Historical talk, museum time, Costume Contest, Plaque Presentation

Midway State Park - Details & Directions

https://parks.ny.gov/parks/midway


About the park:
Midway State Park features a collection of vintage children's rides and a few family rides. The park, owned by New York State Parks, celebrates its 125th season this year.


Address:
4859 Route 430, Bemus Point, NY 14712

HOP #7: Herschell Carousel Factory Museum
(North Tonawanda, NY)

Saturday, July 29th 

(about two hour drive from Hop #6)

  • 3pm: tour of museum and carousel ride


After the tour, you are free to spend the evening enjoying the Niagara Falls area with fine restaurants and other amusements.

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum - Details & Directions

https://www.carrouselmuseum.org/


About the museum:
Within the walls of this museum, carousels, kiddie rides, and more were made for parks across the globe. The factory is a museum, showcasing the incredible history of Allan Herschell's companies. 


Address:
180 Thompson St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120

HOP #8: Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World
(Grand Island, NY)

Sunday, July 30th

(about 15 minute drive from Hop #7)

  • 8:45am: Arrive at Niagara Amusement Park
  • 9:00am: Back area tour, including inside of Flying Witch dark ride (incomplete)
  • 10:00am: ERT on Silver Comet, Flying Machine, Bumper Cars
  • 11:00am: Plaque Presentation plus a special surprise gift from the park. After tour: Snack voucher distributed.
  • Niagara Amusement Park - Details & Directions

    https://niagaraamusementpark.com/


    About the park:
    This park opened as Fantasy Island in 1961 and had several names over the years. In early 2020, Apex Park Group announced the park was closed forever. A year later, Gene Staples (who also purchased Indiana Beach) saved the park from becoming history.


    Address:
    2400 Grand Island Blvd, Grand Island, NY 14072

    Volunteer

    NAPHA Events are only possible with the volunteerism and support from NAPHA Members. You'd be surprised how much a small task such as passing out wristbands or corralling the group can help make the event more enjoyable for our fellow members. Please consider volunteering to help for as little or as much as you want. Indicate on registration form if you'd like more information. 


    Please help us advertise the event by inviting your friends to our ParkHop23 Facebook event page.

    Register Today! Registration Deadline: July 9th

    Registration Type

    NAPHA Members

    Non-NAPHA Members

    Full Event (July 27-30)

    $205

    $235

    Pennsylvania Only (July 27-28)

    $150

    $175

    New York Only

    $75

    85

    Children Under 2 (full or partial event)

    $25

    $25

    Non-members may attend if registering with a NAPHA member.

    Kennywood, Waldameer, and Niagara Amusement Park Season Pass Discount:


    • Season passholders can deduct $24 (Kennywood), $12 (Waldameer), or $23 (Indiana Beach/Niagara/Clementon) from their registration price.
    • Attendees applying the Season Pass discount must present that pass to enter the park(s) for ParkHop23. 
    • If registering via mail, indicate on registration form which park the pass is for.
    • If registering online, enter the applicable code into the coupon box:

    Season Pass Type

    Coupon Code

    Kennywood

    KENNYWOOD

    Waldameer

    WALDAMEER

    Niagara, Indiana Beach, or Clementon

    NIAGARA


    • If more than one person on registration is using a season pass, place the number of passes in front of the code. For example, if two people are using a Kennywood season pass, the code is 2KENNYWOOD. 
    • If you have season passes to more than one park, email jlitvik@napha.org for specific coupon code.

    Terms & Conditions

    The payment of fees by, for, or on behalf of participants holds harmless the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) and its respective Directors/Representatives from any and all liabilities related to this event and all event activities! Registration by members and/or their guests implies that event participants are bound by NAPHA’s code of ethics/code of conduct. All safety mandates established by the host parks MUST BE FOLLOWED. Failure to abide by any posted/verbal safety directives will result in direct consequences for the member/guest in violation of stated safety measures, up to, and including, revoking of event privileges and/or organizational membership. No refunds given. Every effort will be made to follow the stated itinerary; however, all activities are subject to modification by our hosts (or the weather). No arrangements have been made for accommodations. Submitting your registration means that you, and everyone in your party, have read and agreed to the above registration statements. All registration materials will be at the event - an email with information will be sent prior to the event. Additional information may be requested by emailing jlitvik@napha.org or calling 724-493-9766. Fees include requested admissions/wristbands, exclusive ride times, and stated meals.