America’s First Amusement Park is gearing up for its end of season celebrations. Lake Compounce will close out the 2024 season with a fireworks spectacular on Sunday, December 29 at 8 p.m. so Guests can marvel at the spectacular show above the lake after a heart-warming visit to the park’s 12^th annual Holiday Lights, Southern New England’s Only Theme Park Holiday Event.  

Then on December 31, families are invited to ring in the new year Lake Compounce style as the park countsdown to 8 p.m. during its annual Kids New Year’s Eve Bash presented by PepsiCo. Kiddos are invited to dance the night away at a bubble dance party with their favorite characters, enjoy sweet holiday treats, and countdown with everyone to 8 p.m. with a free juice box toast courtesy of PepsiCo.  

The party is a part of Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce and will run from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 inside the Starlight Theatre. Admission to Kids’ New Year’s Eve is included free with park admission.  

Holiday Lights runs daily through Dec 31; Thursday, Sunday, Monday & Tuesday from 3 – 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday from 3 – 9 p.m. Tickets are available online for as low as $19.99.  

Quassy Amusement and Waterpark, Middlebury, Conn., will soon take delivery of its  new Wave Swinger from Wooddesign Amusement Rides BV, The Netherlands, Quassy President Eric Anderson told Amusement Today.

“The first two of the four containers have been shipped and we should have them in a few weeks,” Anderson said.

The Wave Swinger is one of two new rides being installed by the family-owned park for 2025. Quassy is also adding a spinning coaster from Italian manufacturer SBF/Visa Group, represented in the U.S. by Rides-4-U, Somerville, N.J.

RIVERVIEW, Fla. — David “Doc” Cooksey Rivera — a talented artist, historian, showman, and Mason — passed away at his home on December 14, 2024, at the age of 77.

Born on September 28, 1947, in San Diego, California, Rivera lived a life as full and colorful as the carnival murals he painted. His early years were shaped by the steadfast love of his grandparents, who raised him until he was 12. Afterward, he briefly stayed with an uncle in Indiana, where a basement filled with circus billboards sparked his lifelong passion for the carnival world. At a young age, Rivera discovered a “new language” in those vibrant advertisements, charting the course for his future and fueling a dream that would take him across every state, many countries, and oceans.

A veteran and voracious reader, David was a man of endless curiosity, intellect, and adventure.

Rivera was a dedicated Freemason, serving as Worshipful Master of De Soto Lodge 105 F&AM in Riverview, Florida, and as a member of the York Rite Masonic Body. He was also a passionate historian and artist, known for his large-scale murals and, as the Executive Director of the International Independent Showmen’s Museum, where he preserved and celebrated the history of the outdoor amusement business. Over his 14 years in the role, he also wrote numerous articles and was nearly finished with a three-part documentary on the American carnival, solidifying his legacy as a chronicler of this vibrant piece of Americana. His wife Debbie plans to finish the documentary in his honor.

David often said he had done everything he ever wanted to do, and his life was proof of that sentiment. Humble yet accomplished, hardworking yet free-spirited, he embodied generosity and wisdom. His sharp wit and adventurous soul left an indelible mark on everyone he met.

David was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, and his sister Debbie. He is survived by his devoted wife, Debbie, daughters Marie and Virginia, grandchildren Mark, Sierra, Ty, Maddox, and Dallas, great-grandchildren Alexis and Braxton, and stepchildren Stacey and Sam.

Though he has passed, the stories, murals, and memories he leaves behind will continue to inspire and delight generations to come. David’s vibrant spirit will live on in the lives of those he touched and the legacy he built as an artist, historian, showman, and friend.

A celebration of David’s extraordinary life will be held December 20th, 2024 at 1 pm at the International Independent Showman’s Museum at 6938 Riverview Drive, Riverview, Florida 33578.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the International Independent Showmen’s Museum in his honor.

All of us at Amusement Today wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and the Happiest of Holidays!

EXTRA! EXTRA! Your Desktop Edition will not publish on Dec. 23, 24 & 25, 2024.

The daily email newsletter will return to normal publication on Thursday, December 26, 2019.

This holiday season, LEGOLAND Resorts in California, Florida and New York are joining the other seven LEGOLAND Resorts worldwide to invite guests to take part in the LEGO Group’s annual Build To Give campaign. This heart-building initiative brings joy to children in need while offering playful experiences that help develop essential life skills like creativity, communication, and confidence.

As part of the Parks’ holiday events, guests can visit the Build To Give workshops at each location to create LEGO hearts of all sizes. By sharing their creations on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn with the hashtag #BuildToGive, they support a greater cause: for every heart created and shared, the LEGO Group will donate a LEGO set to a child. Since 2017, the LEGO Group has donated millions of sets to children in hospitals, underserved communities and children’s homes across 24 countries, spreading the superpower of play and creativity.

Additionally, guests visiting the Resorts can enjoy festive holiday celebrations across all LEGOLAND Parks. Holidays at LEGOLAND® presented by Hallmark Channel at LEGOLAND Florida and California and LEGOLAND New York Holiday Bricktacular presented by Hallmark Channel is happening now on select dates. Guests can also add some merrymaking to their visit by checking out the LEGO Christmas tree, seasonal shows, cheerful LEGO characters, and indulging in festive food and beverage offerings. Activities are included with general Park admission and select Annual Passes.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Just in time for the holidays, PB Amusement, LLC and Spirello BV has teamed up to donate nearly 9,750 pounds of Spirello (the only Pre-Cut, Pre-Fried, Pre-Frozen, Spiral Potato-on-a-Stick) to Table to Table, a 25-year-old New Jersey’s food rescue organization.  Pete Barto, President of PB Amusement, LLC said, “Robert Luttjehuizen (Owner, Spirello BV in the Netherlands) and I had discussed a few ideas for making positive use of some extra product we had on hand at the end of the season and settled on donating it to a community organization that serves more than 250 community organizations in the area.”  According to the Table to Table website (www.tabletotable.org), the non-profit organization has provided delivery of healthy foods that has helped create more than 300 million meals for food pantries, food banks, shelters, day care/after school programs and senior centers that serve people who are food insecure and economically disadvantaged in northern NJ.

Spirello has been popular product at some of the largest parks in Europe for many years, producing several hundred thousand Spirello for amusement park guests seeking a unique, quick, on-the-go, hot, savory snack alternative to traditional french fries.  Often offered in custom-designed, plug-and-play Spirello^TM themed cottages, the product only recently started distribution in the U.S.  Luttjehuizen said, “I hope we continue to successfully grow distribution in the U.S. and can provide a donation like this to a worthy organization helping to feed the hungry every year.”  Parks interested in learning how to successfully offer Spirello to their snack food offering next year can contact Pete Barto ([email protected]).

TREVOSE, Pa. — Mini Melts USA, the leader in premium beaded ice cream, has announced the appointment of Jerry Law as chief operating officer. Law, who joined Mini Melts in April 2024, brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the frozen food industry and spearheads the brand’s operational and distribution growth across the U.S.

In his role as COO, Law oversees Mini Melts’ nationwide network of more than 25 distribution centers, ensuring seamless delivery of its premium beaded ice cream to thousands of locations, including convenience stores, amusement parks, sporting arenas and zoos. Since joining Mini Melts, Law has focused on strengthening operational efficiencies and scaling the company’s presence in new markets while maintaining the joy and innovation that have made the brand a leader in the frozen novelty category.

“Jerry’s exceptional track record and deep industry expertise make him the perfect addition to the Mini Melts team,” said Dan Kilcoyne, president and chief executive officer of Mini Melts. “His leadership is already making a significant impact as we continue to expand our footprint and deliver on our promise of spoonfuls of fun to customers nationwide.”

Before joining Mini Melts, Law served as CEO of Real Good Foods, a high-growth emerging frozen food brand, where he oversaw the company’s rapid expansion, including building a product portfolio that grew category sales and engaged more than 500,000 followers across social platforms. Prior to that, he held senior leadership roles at J&J Snack Foods Corp., where he led the $880 million snack food division, overseeing 16 plants and more than 4,200 employees, while driving record-breaking revenue growth. Law holds a background in engineering and earned a master’s degree in marketing from Drexel University.

“Joining Mini Melts during this exciting stage of growth is an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact,” said Law. “This is a company built on delivering joy, and I look forward to collaborating with the team to expand our reach and continue delighting customers with our premium ice cream.”

PLAINVIEW, Texas — The iconic Mindbender at West Edmonton Mall will live on — in spirit — at the National Roller Coaster Museum, thanks to a donation of a scale model of the retired Schwarzkopf coaster from Galaxyland.

The all-metal, static display is the first artifact to be donated from Canada and was used by the park’s maintenance department. Over the ride’s 30-year history, the model was used as a reference for safety inspections and other operational needs for the triple loop coaster.

“We could not be more excited to welcome this unique piece of amusement ride history to our collection,” said Jeff Novotny, President of the NRCMA Board of Directors. “What better way to celebrate the centennial of Anton Schwarzkopf’s birth than by preserving this unique piece of his incredible legacy.”

The model, which is over five feet long, three feet wide and four feet tall, was shipped with the assistance of WhiteWater West, who donated their time and resources to preserve this unique part of the legacy of Anton Schwarzkopf.

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Endless Surf, innovator in surf pool technology, is celebrating a landmark year recently highlighted by high-profile project announcements and the growing success of its next-generation wave technology. Making global headlines with news from the Gold Coast of Australia to the shores of Brazil and Cabo, Endless Surf is gaining serious momentum heading into 2025 after debuting its first waves in Munich this past summer. With surfing’s popularity surging worldwide, Endless Surf wave pools are proving to be transformative anchor attractions for venues looking to meet the demands of modern visitors.

Palm Valley Gold Coast: A World-Class Surf and Golf Destination
Three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning recently unveiled Palm Valley, Australia’s first surf and golf resort, located just 7 kilometers from Main Beach at Parkwood International Golf Club. This project, powered by Endless Surf’s cutting-edge wave technology, will be a staple for outdoor and leisure tourism in Australia by blending a championship golf course, a luxury hospitality resort, and a high-performance surf lagoon.

The Endless Surf lagoon at Palm Valley will cater to all skill levels with customizable wave settings, creating an inclusive surf experience for beginners and professionals alike. Set to open in mid-2027, Palm Valley is positioned as a premier training venue for elite surfers preparing for Brisbane 2032, with the potential to even host Olympic events.

“Surfing has given me everything,” said Mick Fanning. “Palm Valley is my way of giving back, creating an inclusive space that showcases the future of surf parks.”

Cabo Real Surf Club: Endless Surf’s Expansion into Mexico
In Los Cabos, Endless Surf is powering the upcoming Cabo Real Surf Club, a destination combining surf and luxury living. The new community marks North America’s first development with a private Endless Surf wave basin, complemented by a wide range of sport and wellness-driven amenities. With Endless Surf’s advanced wave technology at its core, Cabo Real promises to deliver a world-class surf experience while embracing the region’s natural beauty and vibrant culture. With $50m in homesite sales already achieved, construction is well underway, and the community is set to open in 2026. 

Brazil Surf Clubs: Two Landmark Destinations
Endless Surf, in partnership with Brasil Surfe Clube (BSC), has announced two groundbreaking surf lifestyle hubs: BSC Costa Verde and BSC at Região dos Lagos. These projects will feature the largest wave pools in the Southern Hemisphere, utilizing Endless Surf’s ES48 technology capable of producing over 750 waves per hour. Scheduled to open in 2026, these clubs will redefine surf culture in Brazil by integrating surfing, wellness, and the arts into vibrant community spaces.

“These projects represent a new era for surfing in Brazil,” said Ricardo Laureano Siqueira, CEO of BSC. “With Endless Surf’s world-class technology, we’re creating destinations that celebrate Brazil’s passion for surfing while strengthening communities.”

Surf Proving Itself as an Anchor for any Venue Type
These recent announcements highlight the versatility of surf parks as anchor attractions across various business models. From Palm Valley’s integration of sport and lifestyle to Cabo Real’s real-estate-driven approach and Brazil’s membership-based community hubs, each venue is capitalizing on surfing’s universal appeal and adaptability to help anchor its specific masterplan. These examples demonstrate how the surf park market is booming and how developers can capitalize this global trend to support nearly any venue type.

Earlier this year, Endless Surf launched its first surf lagoon at O2 SURFTOWN MUC in Germany, which can be categorized as a pure-play surf park. From booked out session calendars to electric events and festivals, SURFTOWN has seen major success. The surf park is exemplifying the maxim “if you build it, they will come” and validating the business case for solely surf-focused destinations.

Endless Surf is also proving its place within the themed entertainment space as well. The company’s second project is now nearing completion at Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia, where an ES lagoon will serve as a major attraction within the Aquarabia water theme park.

Shaping the Future of Surf Parks
As Endless Surf closes out a remarkable year, the company’s momentum is undeniable. From the global debut of its technology in Germany to high-profile projects in Australia, Mexico, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, Endless Surf is well positioned to continue shaping the inland surfing movement worldwide.

Heading into 2025, Endless Surf is poised to expand its global footprint further, with over a dozen additional projects in development. With this strong pipeline of projects, Endless Surf is setting new standards for inland surfing worldwide and helping developers capitalize on the surging global interest in surfing.

ST. LOUIS — Intercard’s global family of customers continues to grow with installations of its cashless technology at leading venues in Australia and Canada.

Village Entertainment’s Action Zone Arcade was recently launched at the popular Warner Bros. Movie World theme park on Australia’s Gold Coast. This 30-game family entertainment center offers a high energy arcade experience boasting Australia’s first Goatz N Ropes and Wizard of Oz Emerald City Edition games.

RécréOFUN, a growing indoor playground chain in Quebec, Canada, recently opened its fourth location in Sherbrooke. It features a 20 game arcade, as do the RécréOFUN centers in Montreal, Quebec City and Trois Rivieres. All of them have switched from tokens to Intercard cashless technology.