Industry Remembers Barbara Knoebel
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TM www.AmusementToday.com Vol. 13, Issue 10 JANUARY 2010 $5.00 Kiddieland rides auctioned, Industry remembers Barbara Knoebel Knoebels Amusement all of our park careers we have Six Flags saves Little Dipper Resort matriarch Barbara known Dick and ‘Barb.’ We Scott Rutherford Knoebel died peacefully at her both run family amusement Amusement Today home surrounded by family parks and have grown up in on Nov. 27, 2009 following a them. We had many visits and A Chicagoland tradition long, valiant battle with can- eventually the topics would since 1921 – Kiddieland in cer. She was 66. lead to common incidents Melrose Park – ended with Barbara Ellen (Cook) that happened in the previ- a giant auction held on Nov. Knoebel was born May 3, 1943 ous years and how we settled 24, 2009. The event attract- in Lykens, Pa., the daughter of them. As you know, when ed over 500 potential buy- the late Charles and Elizabeth park people get together we ers from as far as California Cook. She was a 1961 gradu- talk about park business, inci- and New York for the 400-lot ate of Lykens High School and dents, promotions, etc. Barb sale conducted by Norton furthered her education at Barbara Knoebel always was fun loving and Auctioneers of Coldwater, PHOTO COURTESY WHR INC. Polyclinic Hospital where she 1943-2009 you could believe that when Mich. David Norton, Norton became a Licensed Practical she said something, she knew Ride prices realized Nurse In addition to her husband what she was talking about. Auctioneers, at work dur- Barbara married Richard and sons, she is survived by She had a personality that include: the 1925 PTC car- ing the Kiddieland auc- ousel with 16 monogram (Dick) Knoebel in 1968, a four granddaughters: Haley, made you feel good to be with tion. horses, $400,00; circa 1963 marriage that lasted until her Hannah, Abigail and Ashley; her. German Carousel, $35,000; Roller, Glass Pitch, Milk death – a span of over 41 a brother, Walter Cook; sister- “This past year when Arrow gas cars, $27,500; Cans, Ringshot, Cat Rack, years. They are the parents in-law Ruth Cook; brother- she and Dick were chosen by Allen Herschell Umbrella and Skee Ball sold for $150 of two sons, Richard A. and in-law Ronald Knoebel and Amusement Today as Persons ride with both elephants and to $1,100 each. Various sig- Brian L. Knoebel. his family; and sister-in-law of the Year during the Golden helicopter tubs, $17,000; 20 nage sold in lots for up to At Knoebels Amusement Leanna Knoebel Muscato and Ticket Awards, I knew that she older bumper cars with the $4,950. Picnic tables sold for Resort, Barbara was an impor- her family. She was preceded was recognized for her part building, $18,700; Everly an average of $75 each. Also tant member of the family in death by brothers Charles of the team, and was proud Midget Racers, $10,400; sold at the auction was food business. She worked along- “Boom” Cook and Donald for them at being recognized. Hampton Dune Buggy, kitchen, maintenance, and side Dick as manager of the Cook. Working in a family situation, $11,750; Mangels Kiddy office equipment along with park office and group sales Services were held at The working daily year around, Whip, $9,900; Herschell other miscellaneous park manager. In the latter capacity, Elysburg Presbyterian Church, and operating a continuing Skyfighter, $13,200; San items. she assisted groups in plan- Dec. 4 -5, 2009. expanding operation requires Antonio Flying Saucers, One of the high points ning outings and arranged Donations can be made in effort and stick-to-it-tiveness, $6,600; Sellner Pump Cars, of the auction was the pur- catered meals for thousands Barbara’s name to Give Kids only a dedicated wife, mother, $9,900; Sellner self-propelled chase of the 1950-built PTC/ of guests each season. the World (www.gktw.org). business woman could exist Ore Cars with track, $9,900; Herb Schmeck Little Dipper Barbara and Dick Speaking on behalf to accomplish this. Barb was Eli Bridge #5 Ferris Wheel, wooden roller coaster by Six were recently recognized of their small parks group, a such a person and we will $12,100.00; and SARW Kiddy Flags for $35,000. This won- as Amusement Today’s 2009 Wonderland Park (Amarillo, have fond memories of her.” Wheel, $7,700. derful ride will be rebuilt Persons of the Year during the Texas) owners Paul and Speaking on behalf of the Games such as Bowler 4See AUCTION, page 3 publication’s annual Golden Paula Borchardt remembered Pennsylvania Amusement Tickets award ceremony. Barbara saying, “For almost 4See KNOEBEL, page 3 INTERNATIONAL AMUSEMENTPARKS WATERPARKS BUSINESS MIDWAY/CLASSIFIEDS SEE PAGES 5-8 SEE PAGES 9-14 SEE PAGES 15-20 SEE PAGES 21-32 SEE PAGES 33-39 FREE Dated material.Dated RUSH! NEWSPAPER PLEASE POSTMASTER: December 30, 2009 Mailed Wednesday, PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. PAID NEWS EVERY DAY US POSTAGE US 2,000 SUBSCRIBERS AND COUNTING! PRSRT STD PRSRT Never miss out on the lastest news! Sign up at www.AmusementToday.com 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY January 2010 TM Gary Slade Founder and Publisher [email protected] Making the extra effort Sometimes the difference in life, your work, or even your favorite sport can be as simple as the effort you put into it, or in this case the extra effort. As the end of 2009 was wrapping up two noteworthy extra efforts took place. The first was by our trade association, IAAPA. The November convention and trade show was held for the first time in Las Vegas. All in all everything seemed to run fine and attendees appeared to be in good spirits, be it from associating with their friends and colleagues or perhaps from celebrating winning from a table game. Suppliers overall seemed to be happy with the show floor foot traffic and the quality of buyers on the floor. Certainly the two big downsides at the show Andrew Mellor was the aisle numbering system which everyone agreed Viva Las Vegas! didn’t work and the high costs the suppliers had paid to be on the floor. Surprisingly, in all the time I’ve and everything in between, all encom- But back to extra effort. Amusement Today congratu- been in the amusement industry, I’d passed in some amazing buildings lates IAAPA for making the extra effort in placing hand never been to Las Vegas before last that simply take your breath away. sanitizer bottles in the suppliers booths. It was truly November when my annual pilgrim- It was, I think, a good move to take age to the IAAPA Attractions Expo the show to a different city. It gave it a amazing to see just how many people took the time took me to this incredible place. fresh perspective and helped to attract throughout the day to cleanse their hands. I had obviously heard a great deal new attendees. It gave people another The second set of kudos go out to Mark Shapiro and about it, read about it, seen films about Mellor reason to attend, if the Expo itself and Six Flags for stepping up to the plate by gaining the win- it, etc., etc., and was indeed delighted all that goes on around it isn’t enough, ning bid at the Kiddieland auction for the Little Dipper to hear that one of the latest movies about and brings more diversity to the whole Expo junior wooden coaster, a favorite among Chicago faithful Vegas, The Hangover, was one of the films on week. Okay, so the actual show venue wasn’t for many generations. offer on the flight over from England. That as good as the new facility we have become Shapiro said the coaster will be moved to its Chicago really set me up for the week (if you haven’t used to in Orlando, but it did the job and park, Six Flags Great America, for the 2011 season. He seen it, you must!) It was, of course, every- another superb shop window for the industry stated that he is saving it, not only due to his own fond thing I’d expected. was provided. memories of the ride, but to also let future generations Also surprising, however, was the fact The general appeal and excitement of Las enjoy a ride on this starter version. that this was the first time IAAPA had taken Vegas aside, it was good to visit with numer- At a time when our industry has lost so much in the the industry’s largest annual event to Las ous manufacturers exhibiting at the show and Vegas in all its 91 year history. That really is to get their take on the past 12 months and last decade, it’s a breath of fresh air to know that we still quite amazing when you think that the place how business is shaping up. It would be fair have people that do care enough about our historical past has been built to entertain millions of people to say that the overall feeling was consider- enough to save it for future generations. every year and features all the elements that ably more optimistic than one might have Thanks IAAPA and Six Flags for making the extra go into an amusement or theme park (and expected and I hope this can be taken through effort. It’s the little things that go a long way. others that don’t, of course) – from rides the next year and repeated, or bettered, in —Gary Slade and attractions to live shows and theming, Orlando.