ALTOONA, Iowa — Raise a stein because one of Iowa’s most beloved fall traditions is back for its 10^th season. Adventureland Resort is set to host its annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 14 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. This year’s event is extra special as it coincides with Adventureland’s ongoing 50^th celebration, making it a day guests from Iowa and beyond won’t want to miss.  

Oktoberfest at Adventureland is where adults get to be kids again, without any kids, enjoying a day filled with exhilarating rides, live music, delicious food and, of course, plenty of beer. This event is strictly 21-plus, ensuring an unforgettable experience tailored just for adults. Guests will be required to present a valid ID to join in the fun. 

Event Highlights: 

Live Music (Main Stage): 

• Noon – Not Quite Brothers 
• 3p.m. – The Little Mermen 
• 7p.m. – Pork Tornadoes 

Adventureland will be buzzing with a variety of other live music throughout the park, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere. But it is more than just the music, there will be live entertainment, games, contests and Adventureland’s world-class rides.  

• Authentic German Food: The park will offer mouth-watering German foods that will transport foodies straight to Bavaria. 
• Games: Guests can participate in fun and competitive games designed to entertain and engage. 
• Contests: Kids at heart can challenge their friends in thrilling contests including eating and stein hoisting. 
• Madhouse Wresting: An all-new wrestling show will take place during the event at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. 
• Adult Beverages: Dozens of beers will be on tap in true Oktoberfest fashion.  

Launched in 2015 as a small event in the Alpine Village section of the park, Oktoberfest quickly grew into one of the most beloved traditions in the state. The one-day event continued to expand each year, eventually including the entire park. Combined with all the fun of Adventureland’s 50^th celebration, this year’s event will honor the favorite parts of Oktoberfest over the last decade.  

Tickets for Oktoberfest are now on sale for as low as $39.99, for a limited time only. Silver, Gold and Platinum Season Passholders can get in free.

Join us on July 31 as we honor our water park heroes who keep Lake Compounce safe and fun. Our lifeguards are not only dedicated but also trained and certified by Ellis & Associates, the global leader in integrated lifeguard training and aquatic risk management. Each of our lifeguards undergoes a rigorous minimum of 26 hours of training to ensure they are fully prepared before their first day on the job.

We invite guests to celebrate our lifeguards in Crocodile Cove, Connecticut’s largest water park. Activities include:

• Sign the Lifeguard Appreciation Banner: Show your support and receive a limited-edition Kyle croc charm, while supplies last
• Water Safety Tips: Learn valuable safety information to keep your family safe in the water
• Meet & Greet with Wildcat: Spend time with our friendly mascot
• Special Treats at the Sweet Shoppe: Enjoy delicious goodies dedicated to our lifeguards

Don’t miss out on the fun—save over 45% on tickets when you buy online! With only 26 days left to enjoy Crocodile Cove Water Park this season, the countdown is on. The park is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Barbara Knoebel Memorial Golf Tournament was held on July 22 as part of the Annual PAPA Summer Meeting at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, PA.  This year’s event received unprecedented support from the amusement industry, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, and several local businesses in the Lehigh Valley, raising nearly $7,500 for the PAPA Scholarship Fund. 

The 74 registered golfers played a round of golf at The Club at Twin Lakes in Allentown, PA, and were treated to a beautiful day of golf, lunch, and presentation of the newly created, coaster-themed, Barbara Knoebel Memorial Golf Tournament Champions Trophy. The unique trophy was created by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters Inc. Graphic Artist and Paint Shop Supervisor Brad Little. 

Golf Chairman, Pete Barto (PB Amusement, LLC), attributed the substantial growth of this year’s golf tournament to the incredible support of Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, volunteers, and a fun-for-all atmosphere that welcomes golfers, and non-golfers, to enjoy a great day of networking and camaraderie. 

Barto said, “We have really focused on promoting this event as a fun industry event.  We are not looking for golf ringers, or players that take the game too seriously.  We just want friends that enjoy spending time with each other to have a fun social event that raises money for a great cause.”

A number of PAPA members (and non-members) were introduced to the game of golf for the very first time at this tournament.  The 4-person team scramble format allowed golfers of all skill sets (even for those that only play once a year, in this event) to have fun and contribute to their team’s success.  The tournament featured a $10,000 Hole-in-One Contest, $5,000 Putting Contest, and numerous other on-course fun activities like the “Wheel of Destiny” and “Plink-n-Swing”.

Team Hersheypark (Jeremy Underkoffler, Robert Gordon, Jason Roth, and Brad Kirkham) claimed victory for the 2^nd year in a row with a score of 10 under par, squeaking out a two-stroke victory over past champions, The Killer B’s (Bradford Doolittle, Melissa Bamford, Brian Knoebel, and Pete Barto).  Reports have already surfaced that the Barabara Knoebel Memorial Golf Tournament Champions Trophy will be proudly on display for the year in Hersheypark’s Boardroom.

In addition to the record-breaking attendance, and contribution to the scholarship fund, the tournament featured 17 sponsors and multiple individuals making personal donations.  Platinum Level Sponsor, S&S Worldwide, and Gold Level Sponsor, Sordoni Construction Services, Inc., were kind enough to cover the cost of food and beverages for the tournament.  “Without their support, the quality of this type of tournament would not have been possible”, Barto said. 

Silver Sponsors for the event were The Killer Bs, Zamperla, Gateway Ticketing, Fitzpatrick, Lentz & Bubba, P.C., Barry Isett & Associates.  Bronze Sponsors and Supporters of the event were Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Premier Rides, Lehigh Valley Iron Birds, Haas Wilkerson Insurance, Atlantic Culinary Environments, Inc., Four Points Sheraton Allentown Lehigh Valley, Sally Dark Rides, Discover Lehigh Valley, Cetronia Ambulance Corps, Monica Hodges, Jim Hennessey, and Representative Ryan MacKenzie. Illumination Brewing (Funk Brewing) also generously donated to the event.

The PAPA Barbara Knoebel Memorial Scholarship Fund awards numerous cash scholarships to well-deserving employees of PAPA member attractions.  The scholarship application asks applicants to submit a 300-word essay that delineates their experience and accomplishments while employed in the amusement industry, and to share how that experience has assisted them with their personal and career goals.  The deadline for Pennsylvania Park Employees to submit 2024 scholarship applications is August 30, 2024.  Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their Human Resources Department for applications.

Plans are already being made for next year’s golf event to build on the success of this year.  PAPA members are encouraged to schedule their travel plans to build in time to play in this great event next year.

MANSFIELD, Texas — Hawaiian Falls Mansfield and Roanoke waterparks will be hosting Back-to-School supply drives Monday, August 5 – Friday, August 9. In exchange for school supplies from a curated list, guests can purchase a $10 daily admission ticket (regularly $35.99 for guests over 48-inches tall and $25.99 for guests under 48 inches.) Kids two and under are always free.

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke’s drive will benefit the Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange (GRACE.)

Sponsored by Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Hawaiian Falls Mansfield will accept school supplies for the Mansfield ISD Clothes Closet.

“We love summer and certainly are in no hurry for it to end,” said Ron McKenzie, Hawaiian Falls Marketing Director. “But heading back to school is also a really fun time for kids. However, it can be stressful to parents who may not be financially able to buy new school supplies for their children. We want to help make sure every kid has the right supplies to succeed academically. Help us support our local schools and we’ll give you a great deal so you can close out summer with your family!”

Hawaiian Falls will accept school supplies at the front gate of either park. To receive the $10 ticket, good for one Day Pass for an Adult or Child, donate a minimum of five (5) of the following items for each discounted ticket:

• Backpacks
• One-inch 3-ring binders
• Block erasers
• Scientific calculators
• Colored pencils
• Composition books
• Construction paper (9×12, 100 count or less)
• 24-count crayons
• 8-tab dividers
• Folders (with pockets and brads)
• Glue bottles
• Highlighters
• Index cards (100-count)
• Manila paper (9×12, 100-count or less)
• Markers (10-count)
• Notebook paper (wide-ruled, 100-count)
• Pencil pouches
• Pencil sharpeners
• Rulers
• Safety scissors
• 1-subject spiral notebooks (wide-ruled)
• Watercolors

GRACE was organized in 1987 as a response to the growing need for emergency assistance services in far northeast Tarrant County, an area almost 20 miles from state, county and other major resources at that time. Local churches responded to community needs with a plan for distributing available resources through Grapevine’s Ministerial Alliance.

The Mansfield ISD Clothes Closet has been in operation for almost 23 years, opening in the fall of 1999.  The Clothes Closet is run 100% by volunteers and managed by the Mansfield ISD Council of PTAs.  The Clothes Closet is a means of support to many of the students and families of Mansfield ISD by providing items for free to the qualifying students of Mansfield ISD.  They also provide volunteer hours for the students of MISD and opportunities for the students to learn life skills.  

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro, a leading toy and game company, in collaboration with Amazon, today announced Peppa’s Dance Party, a global campaign to celebrate PEPPA PIG’s 20th anniversary and the Queen of Preschool’s new hit single – the Piggle Wiggle!

Encouraging confidence and igniting playfulness, Peppa’s Dance Party will deliver engaging in-person and virtual play experiences for preschoolers and their families across the globe. For a limited time starting this August, consumers can join live events hosted at Merlin Entertainments’ attractions PEPPA PIG World of Plays in Chicago, Dallas and Michigan and PEPPA PIG Parks in Florida, U.S. and Günzburg, Germany, along with PEPPA PIG attractions at Butlin’s Resorts in the U.K. Visit local websites for dates and times.

Peppa’s Dance Party in-person events will feature a live show encouraging kids and families to get up and get dancing to Peppa’s latest single – the Piggle Wiggle – available to listen on Amazon Music, as well as party games, interactive dress up activities and exclusive products. Fans can also expect appearances from their favourite PEPPA PIG characters!

“For 20 years, PEPPA PIG has been a staple in children’s entertainment across the globe. As we honor the legacy of Peppa on this milestone anniversary, we are proud to team up with Amazon to continue fostering love for learning and play through our iconic character,” said Matt Proulx, Senior Vice President of Global Experiences, Partnerships and Music at Hasbro. “Through Hasbro’s engaging live events and Amazon’s powerful reach in delivering entertaining, educational and wildly fun branded

experiences for children and families everywhere, Peppa’s Dance Party is sure to be one to remember.”

To extend the excitement to audiences worldwide and build upon PEPPA PIG content available digitally on Amazon Kids+, a brand-new Alexa Skill for Peppa’s Dance Party will launch this August to teach children how to do the Piggle Wiggle dance and more. Customers can access this exclusive content directly through the brand-new Alexa skill or by saying, “Alexa, open Peppa’s Dance Party.” A premium version of the new Peppa’s Dance Party Alexa Skill is available with the Amazon Kids+ subscription unlocking fun musical party games with Peppa.

Special products are also available, including the Amazon-exclusive Peppa’s Dance Party Playset, plus brand-new Dancing Muddy Puddles Peppa, Sing With Me Peppa, Peppa Baking range, an array of themed books and partywear for the whole family.

Additionally, fans can continue to enjoy existing PEPPA PIG content, including episodes from the show and free versions of the World of PEPPA PIG and LEGO DUPLO PEPPA PIG apps which will be added later this August, all available on Amazon Kids+.

“We’re excited to partner with Hasbro to celebrate PEPPA PIG’s 20th anniversary,” said Monte Babington, Global Head of Content Amazon Kids+, “Kids love Peppa, and we’re thrilled to bring more of her trademark sense of humor to Amazon Kids+, where they can enjoy thousands of age-appropriate videos, books, and games. We can’t wait for families to join in the dance party celebration, creating special memories with Peppa and Amazon Kids+.”

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Castle Park in Riverside is revealing an all-new haunt fest experience as it sets to transform into Castle Dark this fall. Starting September 20, visitors who dare to test their bravery by traversing through the Castle Dark gates will be met with four all-new maze experiences, three new theatrical shows and two new scare zones. So, beware and enter at your own risk.

The annual Halloween event is celebrating 16 years of screams as the family-friendly amusement park is transformed and taken over by ghosts, goblins, monsters and more– with one goal – to scare the living daylights out of each and every visitor.  

This year’s event, which takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through October 27, features the following new experiences:  

Four All-new Mazes:

• Funhouse of the Demented – A prison overrun by clowns – yikes – chaos is unleashed from the moment dare devils enter and try to escape the funhouse.
• Seance – Entering a séance at a local historic museum that transports visitors to another worldly experience deep in the woods of a forest, tread carefully because the forest hides some deep secrets that only emerge once park-goers are on their journey.

• Labyrinth – The haunting depths of the Labyrinth of Lost Souls await. The dearly departed are waiting in the wings as guests venture through the maze’s winding corridors and endless pathways, as each twist and turn is shrouded in mystery.
• Sinister Inn – Traverse to a new realm as you take on this new 5-D virtual reality maze experience that will leave your heart-pounding as you walk through the haunted hallways of the Inn of your nightmares. You will surely regret not packing your bags and leaving the Inn when you had the chance.  

Three All-new Theatrical Shows:

• Countess Elura – Prepare for the triumphant return of Countess Elura with an all-new spectacle! After all, she is the new Queen and must be celebrated as such.
• Sliders of the Kingdom – Gather round, one and all and behold the mesmerizing sliders of the kingdom. See their scary-good tricks and skills near Saw Mill Plunge.
• Lady Lou Teatime – Drop by for a tete-a-tete with Lady Lou, where the tea is simply to die for!

Two All-new Scare Zones:

• Midway Breakout – As darkness descends, prepare to meet with the delightfully twisted clowns of Castle Dark. Step right up and brace yourself for an unforgettable showdown as you laugh your way from the Park Entrance all the way through Midway.
• Dark Lands – Explore the Castle secrets that lurk within the fog and prepare to meet Lord Amethyst and Sir Sardonyx as they roam the area alongside their loyal knights. Creep through the darkness starting at Plaza Cafe all the way through to the Castle.

For the guests seeking more treats than tricks, Castle Park’s family-friendly, daytime Dia de Los Muertos event invites families to join in the fun every Saturday and Sunday, from 12 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. beginning September 21 through November 2 to celebrate Mexican and Latin American fall traditions. The lively event celebration boasts beautiful decorations and themed traditional entertainment, plus activities for kids including pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating.

ST. LOUIS — Intercard’s latest cashless technology is featured at the newest Game Palacio luxury FEC in the DLF Mall of India in the city of Noida. The 30,000 square foot center features boutique bowling, an 80-game arcade and fine dining. It is the eighth Game Palacio venue to use Intercard technology.

The installation was handled by Rohit Mathur and CSML, Intercard’s distributor in India. CSML also installed the FEC’s Brunswick bowling equipment including custom-crafted black and gold lanes. The company is in the process of building an additional five locations for Game Palacio. The upscale chain is the creation of brother and sister team Prasuk and Priyanka Jain’s Snow World Entertainment.

“We are honored to partner with CSML to serve the growing Indian amusement market,” says Alberto Borrero, Intercard’s senior vice-president of international sales. “Some of the leading domestic and international operators in India use Intercard cashless technology and we look forward to working with more of them in the future.”

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. and ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights debuts the all-original haunted house, “Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines,” headlined by an all-female assemblage of classic Universal Monsters – The Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula’s Daughter, She-Wolf of London and the undead, mummified Egyptian princess Anck-Su-Namun–beginning Friday, August 30 at Universal Orlando Resort and on Thursday, September 5 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The “Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines” haunted houses will introduce guests to an all-new terrifying storyline, as they find themselves in the center of the ultimate battle between two unexpected alliances of classic female Universal Monsters. Fans will encounter Saskia Van Helsing, a new fearless huntress and daughter of revered Abraham Van Helsing – who killed Count Dracula by driving a stake through his heart and destroying his reign of terror. Saskia now faces Dracula’s daughter, Countess Marya, who arose from the dead to seek revenge for her father and destroy the Van Helsing bloodline. With a mission to kill, Dracula’s daughter, from 1936’s Dracula’s Daughter, forms a deadly alliance with the She-Wolf, inspired by the 1946 film She-Wolf of London, and Anck-Su-Namun, from the 1932 film The Mummy – only to be intercepted by Saskia and an unlikely ally, The Bride of Frankenstein. The terrifying adventure will take guests on a journey between the hunted and the hunters in a life and death battle with only one bloodline left to survive. 

As the movie studio that invented the horror film genre, this haunted house at Universal Studios Hollywood will have even more relevance as it will reside within legendary Sound Stage 12 on the studio back lot, the original filming location for such Universal horror movies as Dracula  (1931), Frankenstein (1931) and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), among others revered classic and contemporary films.

The return of the Universal Classic Monsters haunted house also reunites GRAMMY® Award-winning musician SLASH with Universal Studios Hollywood in a collaboration that spans six seasons of Halloween Horror Nights. Once again, SLASH will compose an original score for this all-new haunted house, and the score will be featured along with his past original compositions on a limited-edition vinyl album that will be sold at Universal Studios Hollywood throughout the run of the event.

At Universal Orlando Resort, Emmy®-nominated composer Sara Barone will create an original score for this all-new haunted house to elevate the experience for guests. She recently served as composer for BBC’s “Planet Earth III,” along with Hans Zimmer and Jacob Shea, and Amazon’s “Silver and the Book of Dreams.” Barone currently participates in the Universal Composers Initiative. Led by the Studio’s Film Music team and Universal Talent Development & Inclusion, this two-year program provides composers with unparalleled access to the studio process, in addition to exclusive scoring opportunities such as this year’s Halloween Horror Nights.

A variety of Halloween Horror Nights ticket options for Universal Studios Hollywood are now available, including General Admission with savings up to $40 on select nights when purchased online, Universal Express, After 2 P.M. Day/Night, the Early Access Ticket,which provides access to select haunted houses beginning at 5:30 p.m. (subject to change), in advance of the scheduled 7:00 p.m. event opening time, the premium R.I.P. Tour and popular passes, Frequent Fear Pass and Ultimate Fear Pass, which enable guests to experience the scares again and again.

Performance Review Institute (PRI) Registrar recognizes Ralph S. Alberts Co., Inc. for having met the stringent requirements of ISO 9001:2015 international standards, their ongoing commitment to satisfying stakeholders, and their dedication to continual improvement of their management system.

Ralph S. Alberts Co., Inc. announces that it has received certification to ISO 9001:2015 Standards.

“As a company, we value Excellence, Innovation, and Integrity as a means of delivering the best products to our customers in the best time. Becoming certified to the ISO 9001:2015 standards is a result of the commitment of our entire team to these values,” said Seth Alberts, President and CEO – Ralph S. Alberts Co., Inc. “We are proud to receive this certification and will continue to exceed quality standards for our customers.“

“Ralph S. Alberts Co., Inc. has demonstrated its commitment to world class quality management by implementing and becoming certified to the ISO 9001:2015 standard. They have joined an elite number of organizations worldwide who have achieved certification to this globally recognized quality  standard,” said Randy Daugharthy, Vice President – Registrar at the Performance Review Institute Registrar. “PRI Registrar is proud to partner with Ralph S. Alberts Co., Inc. in this accomplishment and look forward to continued support of their objective of quality excellence.”

The Ralph S. Alberts Co., located in Montoursville, PA, is registered as a Single Site management system, demonstrated in conformance with ISO 9001:2015 international standards. Their Scope of Registration includes: Manufacturer of custom products that specializes in tooling fabrication and various production methods including injection molding, hand casting, polyurethane foam molding, EVA injection molding, and fiberglass reinforced plastics.

Things get spooky once more! The ‘Ghost Castle’ in Germany’s largest theme park, a true classic in the Italian themed area, is finally opening its doors again! The popular family attraction, which first opened in 1982, has not lost its charm, but has been completely redesigned.

Ann-Kathrin Mack, Partner at Europa-Park and responsible for MACK Solutions: ‘Many of us, including myself, loved the Ghost Castle when we were young and we want future generations to be able to experience this joy too. The new theming ensures that the ride is exciting but not too scary, but it can still be a little test of courage – just like it have been in the past.’’

Visitors are transported through the palace in small gondolas as ghostly voices can be heard and eerie figures can be seen everywhere. They can look forward to familiar scenes as well as new spooky fun. In addition, Lorenzo is now up to mischief, his story based on the historical figure of the early Italian Renaissance ‘Lorenzo de’ Medici’.

The attraction tells the story of the rise of Lorenzo, which comes to an abruptly stop thanks to the treacherous Pazzi family. Lorenzo is after revenge and comes into possession of an old stone tablet with strange symbols and meaningful writings. The text, written in an unknown Latin language, promises eternal life to anyone who follows its instructions. Lorenzo dedicates his entire life to pursuing this plan. During the four-minute dark ride, guests find out what he experiences and whether he will ultimately manage to escape death. MACK Solutions is responsible for the storytelling, which features impressive special effects, projections and illustrations.