Gallery: Camden Park through the years

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Riders experience the loop on the Thunderbolt Express at Camden Park on U.S. 60. in August 1997. Camden Park bought the ride from Kings Island in Mason, Ohio.

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From left, Ashley Riley, Ann Alderman and Kellie Thompson, from Fayette County, W.Va., enjoy a ride on the Scrambler at Camden Park in May 1998.

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Riders make their way down the first big hill on the Big Dipper Saturday, Oct. 6, 2006, as part of Spooktackular at Camden Park in Huntington.

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School kids react in May 2004 as they travel along the tracks of the Camden Park's Big Dipper roller coaster.

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Brooke Lively, 3, of Peytona visits with the "Easter Bunny" in May 2004 during Camden Park's Eggstravaganza.

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Katie Lewis, 11, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, gets a lesson in shaping balloon animals from magician Garry Boothe of Wayne in Novebmer 2004 as part of the festivities during the kickoff of "Christmas at Camden Park."

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At left Kayleigh Bolt, 2, her mother Kristen Bolt, and her brother Kiante Bolt, 5, all of Huntington stop by the Christmas tree to have a photo taken at Camden Park in November 2004 as they and others celebrate the kickoff of "Christmas at Camden Park."

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Buffalo Elementary School Safety Patroller Aaron Fillinger, 11, takes a break from the rides Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at Camden Park. Nearly 1,000 AAA safety patrol members from across the state visited the park for a day of rides and fun.

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Safety patrollers check out the view from Camden Park's chair lift Tuesday, May 24, 2005. Nearly 1,000 AAA safety patrol members from across the state visited the park for a day of rides and fun.

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Culloden Elementary School Fire Patrollers Ian Hope, left, 10, and Hunter Fitzwater, 9, take a ride on The Whip Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at Camden Park.

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Central City Elementary Safety Patrollers Ester Wilson, 12, and Justin Jarvis, 12, take a break from the rides to enjoy some cotton candy together Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at Camden Park.

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Billy "Crash" Craddock performed in September 2001 at Camden Park. The concert was part of a two-day national act set that puts a cap on summer at the park.

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Master puppeteer Gordon Holey presents Madcap Puppet Theatre in May 2005 at Camden Park in Huntington.

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Tyler Nicely, 10, Hali Nicely, 13, and Kasey Walker, 12, all of South Point, Ohio, ride the Spider Saturday, Oct, 6, 2006, as part of Spooktackular at Camden Park in Huntington.

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Christa Reynolds rides the Ferris wheel with her nephew Evan Goodall and friend Dillon Mullins Wednesday, August 17, 2005, as employees and their families celebrate Heiners 100th anniversary at Camden Park.

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Employees and their families celebrate Heiners 100th anniversary at Camden Park Wednesday, August 17, 2005.

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Nine-year-old Madison McDowell, front, of Ravenswood, W.Va., reacts after splashing through the log flume ride at Camden Park with Samantha Williams, 9, and Randy Jones on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005.

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Visitors take a ride through the Haunted House Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, at Camden Park.

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Visitors take a ride through the Haunted House Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, at Camden Park.

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Visitors take a ride through the Haunted House Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, at Camden Park.

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Cousins Chris Cooper, 9, and Katie Wood, 9, of Huntington ride the Whip Sunday, May 7, 2006, at Camden Park.

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Pat Hayward of Fort Gay shares a funnel cake with her grandson Danny, 6, Sunday, May 7, 2006, at Camden Park.

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Laura Damron, 11, of Huntington rides the Big Dipper Sunday, May 7, 2006, at Camden Park.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch Visitors ride the Paratrooper on Monday, Sept. 4, 2007, at Camden Park.

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Jacob and Julia Suttles of Huntington ride the motorcycles at Camden Park during the opening of Spooktackular in Huntington Saturday, Oct. 6, 2006.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch Stephanie Stapleton and Cody Wheeler, 5, of Louisa ride the Paratrooper on Monday, Sept. 4, 2007, at Camden Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch Kiplyn Cooper, 14, at left, and sister Brianna of Ironton ride "The Flying Scooter" on Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Camden Park during opening weekend.

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Quentin Logan, 10, of Gallipolis, Ohio, takes a solo trip on Camden Park's "Spider" ride Sunday, May 4, 2008, during the park's opening weekend.

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Abby Ross, 4, of Kenova takes a ride with cousin Tyler Hensley on the Camden Park carousel Sunday, May 4, 2008, during the park's opening weekend.

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A group of thrill-seekers takes a dip on Camden Park's main attraction "The Big Dipper" on Sunday, May 4, 2008, during the park's opening weekend.

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Four-year-olds Luke Slater, left, and Jaden O'Brien, both of Charleston, enjoy a boat ride at Camden Park on Sunday, May 4, 2008, during the park's opening weekend.

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Devin Maynard, 3, of Williamson, W.Va., works his way along the track on the handcars at Camden Park on Sunday, May 4, 2008, during the park's opening weekend.

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The newly constructed miniature golf course at Camden Park is pictured Thursday, May 29, 2008.

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The newly constructed miniature golf course at Camden Park is pictured on Thursday, May 29, 2008.

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The newly constructed miniature golf course at Camden Park is pictured on Thursday, May 29, 2008.

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Students enjoy the rollarcoaster thrills during "School Days" at Camden Park in May 2001. About 1,000 students visited the park for the annual event.

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Twelve-year-old Austin Cornwell takes a swing at a ball on the new miniature golf course at Camden Park on Thursday, May 29, 2008.

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Twelve-year-old Thomas Baisden plays through some challenging terrain at Camden Park's newly constructed miniature golf course Thursday, May 29, 2008.

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Twelve-year-old Thomas Baisden prepares to put at Camden Park's newly constructed miniature golf course Thursday, May 29, 2008.

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Twelve-year-old Dillon Clarkson plays some put put with friends at Camden Park's newly constructed miniature golf course Thursday, May 29, 2008.

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Camden Park's newly constructed miniature golf course Thursday, May 29, 2008.

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Twelve-year-old Kennedy Roberts puts a put toward the flag at Camden Park's newly constructed miniature golf course Thursday, May 29, 2008.

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Camden Park's newly constructed miniature golf course Thursday, May 29, 2008.

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The carousel at Camden Park, shown here in June 2007.

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The carousel at Camden Park, shown here in June 2007.

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Nine-year-old Brayden Kouns of Flatwoods, Ky., rides the log ride at Camden Park on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007.

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Nine-year-old Brayden Kouns of Flatwoods, Ky., rides the log ride at Camden Park on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007.

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Several people take advantage of the log ride at Camden Park on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007.

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Jason Trailer of Portsmouth, Ohio, goes for a ride with his son at Camden Park on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007.

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Spring Valley High School freshmen Stephanie Basenback, left, and Laura Bailey wave from their car on the Skydiver at Camden Park in May 2001.

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Visitors ride the Pony Carts on Monday, Sept. 4, 2007, at Camden Park.

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Visitors ride the Kite Flyer on Monday, Sept. 4, 2007, at Camden Park.

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Visitors ride the Skyliner on Monday, Sept. 4, 2007, at Camden Park.

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Visitors ride experience Swan Lake on Monday, Sept. 4, 2007, at Camden Park.

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Dewey Romans paints a cross that will be park of headstones in a cemetery for the Halloween Spooktacular at Camden Park in October 1999.

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Twelve-year-old Jessie Daniels, left, and 11-year-old Danielle Dials, both of Paintsville, Ky., enjoy a ride of the Scrambler, one of many rides at Camden Park, in May 2002.

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Jimmy, left, Stevie, 13, and Stephanie Strong, 12, of Winfield take a ride on the Spider at Camden Park in August 2002. Camden Park is just one of many local and regional spots that people are enjoying this summer versus long-distrance travel.

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Creepy-crawlies are everywhere at Camden Park in October 2002.

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Camden Park, seen here in July 1998, is one of the reasons people from all over come to Wayne County.

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A group of people enjoy a ride on the Big Dipper rollercoaster at Camden Park in Huntington in August 2002.

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Eleven-year-old Brandon Killen, center, of Lincoln County reacts on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, as he joins his classmates, from left, Douglas Mullins, Matt Cook and Raymond Lambert on the log ride at Camden Park. The students joined fellow saftey patrol students from Logan, Mason, Cabell and Wayne counties in the outing.

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Thirteen-year-old Keisha Barker of Elliot County, Ky., gets slashed on the log ride at Camden Park in May 2002.

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Thrills and chills are coming to Camden Park for the annual Spooktacular in October 2002. Dare to meet the Bad Seed and other frightfully fun creatures at West Virginia's only amusement park.

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Nathan Holley, left, and Corey Hamilton take a spin on the Spider during Camden Park's Halloween Spooktacular in October 2000.

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Seven-year-old Andrew Jarrett of Ashford, W.Va., takes a ride on the merry-go-round at Camden Park in May 2002.

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Madcap Productions Theater of Cincinnati's Dylan Shelton performs "The Story Wizard" with life-size puppets for children at Camden Park in May 2002.

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Consuelo Cline, left, and 7-year-old Chad Cline Jr. fly through the air on a ride at Camden Park in May 2002.

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Parks Becker spreads straw over the entrance of the Hay Bale Maze at Camden Park for their Halloween Spooktacular in October 1999.

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Consuelo Cline, left, and 7-year-old Chad Cline Jr. fly through the air on a ride at Camden Park in May 2002.

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April 2002 opening day visitors at Camden Park try out the newest attraction, the Swan Lake paddleboats.

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Streetcar motorman W.J.B. Gwinn took this photo of the Ohio Valley Electric Railway Co.'s station in front of Camden Park in 1918. The company built Camden Park to generate patronage for its streetcars -- and the strategy must have worked. The streetcar line was double tracked from downtown Huntington to this point, continuing toward Ashland with only a single track. A large side track was built here to hold special cars bringing large crowds to the park to enjoy its rides and dances. Gwinn later moved to Bridgeport, Ohio, where he operated streetcars for several years.

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Buffalo Elementary School safety patrol students, from left, Paige Pack, Elizabeth Scarberry and Jesse McCarty splash water on each other on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at the log ride in Camden Park. The students joined fellow saftey patrol students from Logan, Mason, Cabell and Lincoln counties in the outing.

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E. Patsy Rogers Hazelett at Camden Park in 1944. Photo submitted by Michele G. Hankins.

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Maddie Wolfe, 3 of Oak Hill, W.Va., enjoys a bite of cotton candy in May 1998 at Camden Park.

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Camden Park's Camden Queen, date unknown.

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Camden Park employee Parks Becker wipes down one of the 12 new dodgem cars in May 2000 at Camden Park in Huntington.

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Lina Sorbilli and her brothers Mario "Moe" and Tony get the autograph of WSAZ-TV personality "Steamboat Bill" in 1959. Photo submitted by Lina Sorbilli.

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Gary Donalson of the swing band Blue Max performs in July 2003 at Camden Park during the 100th year anniversary party.

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Lu Shoemaker with her grandfather at Camden Park. Photo submitted by Lu Shoemaker.

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Mathew Hall, 11, left, and Billy Brewer, 9, both of Rio Grande, Ohio, crash head on in the Bumper Cars at Camden Park in June 2003.

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Sara Jo Browning fills basket with candy in October 1999. The baskets will be given to the first 500 children each night at the Halloween Spooktacular at Camden Park.

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Camden Park's big Happy Clown sign, circa 1989.

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Lincoln County students, from left, Douglas Mullins, Brandon Killen reacts as they descend down the ramp in the log ride on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at Camden Park. The students joined fellow saftey patrol students from Logan, Mason, Cabell and Wayne counties in the outing.

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Five-year-old Minda Martin and her seven-year-old sister Meili Martin, both of Proctorville, feed the goats at the petting zoo set up for the Children Festival in August 2003 at Camden Park.

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Garry Boothe of Wayne creates a balloon animal September 2003 during Camden Park's Labor Day Celebration.

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Rick Poore of Mt. Shasta, Calif, photographs his family in April 2003 on Camden Park's new ride The Kite Flyer. Poore, a Huntington native, traveled from California back home to Huntington to visit family and friends.

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Alisha Brown, 14, and her mother, Connie Jarvis, of Wellston, Ohio, brace themselves during the drop on the Log Flume at Camden Park in July 1998.

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The Big Dipper, built in 1958, is still one of the most popular rides at Camden Park, shown here in May 1998.

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From left, Louise, Allen, 5, and McKenley Yates slide down the Log Flume at Camden Park in June 2003.

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Kyle Moreland, 3, takes a big bite of his hotdog while his mother Regina holds it up at Camden Park in July 1998.

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From left, Fairmont State College students William Enders, Chiaki Tanaka, Yusuke Inoue and Shunsuke Nagamine whip around a turn on the Big Dipper roller coaster at Camden Park in July 1998.

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Greg Caskey works on the electricity for the Haunted House at Camden Park in October 1999.

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More than 1,000 safety patrol students from Logan, Mason, Cabell, Wayne and Lincoln counties participated in an outing at Camden Park on Tuesday, May 23, 2006.

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John Stuart, left, drove six hours from Logansport, Ind., to get an autograph from NASCAR star Ernie Irvan at Camden Park in July 1999.

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Camden Park general mainance employees Roger Brooks, right, and Parks Becker carefully measure and place concrete blocks in May 2000 that will part of the new stage along the midway of Camden Park.

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Travis Erwin, 6, tries to hand Zaz the clown a juggling pin during the festivities at the Camden Park Halloween Spooktacular in October 2000.

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A masked Tony Hunt, left, and his mother, Valerie, take a spin on the Paratrooper during Camden Park's Halloween Spooktacular in October 2000. Tony's brother, Brandon, and father, Chris, are one car behind.

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Camden Park featured the new ride Skydiver as part of it attractions in May 2001.

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Sarah Graves, right, and her big sister Kathy mug for the camera in a photo booth at Camden Park in 1974. Photo submitted by Sarah Graves.

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Robert "Bob" Burley started out as a traveling salesman for Camden Park. He worked there many years. This photo was taken just outside his office at the park. Submitted by Clinton Burley.

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The "Spider" at Camden Park gathers a large line in June 2003 during the park's 100th anniversary party.

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Pearl Lester and Pauline Billups spent their six-hour honeymoon at Camden Park. Photo submitted by Ron Lester.

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Angela Henderson and Roger Bentley of Ironton take in the fireworks display June 2003 at Camden Park during the park's 100th year anniversary party.

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Buffalo Elementary School students Mikaela Earl, left, and Lakin Boggs eat cotton candy as they join more than 1,000 safety patrol students from Logan, Mason, Cabell, Wayne and Lincoln counties in an outing at Camden Park on Tuesday, May 23, 2006.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch Camden Park's original roller coaster, the New