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NEWS
Park plays host to Frisbee dogs, balloon artists and others
Trainer Tad Bowen shows off frisbee tricks during the America's Best Frisbee Dogs show on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008, as Camden Park celebrates Labor Day weekend.
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HUNTINGTON -- Beckley resident Matt Allen hadn't been to Camden Park since he was 16.
But when the 32-year-old's son Jorgen was set to turn 11 on Sunday, the pony-tailed metal music fan knew just the place to rock out his boy's birthday.
"It's his birthday, and it's a pretty day, and we're going to get our ride on," said Matt, who was wearing a Slayer T-shirt.
The Allens weren't alone.
Camden Park, which is open 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today, is in the midst of a big three-day Labor Day Weekend celebration.
Shawn Wellman, rides supervisor at the historic, family-run park, said the park is winding up its regular season with a lot of special activities, including America's Best Frisbee Dogs at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. today. Also, balloon artist Gary Boothe and award-winning folk rocker Steve Free and his band are on hand for multiple performances.
"We've had a good weekend already and as soon as church lets out, we're going to be slam packed," Wellman said as packs of parents and kids streamed into the park.
"Scrambler, Big Dipper, Scrambler, Big Dipper," a kid yelled jumping up and down just after entering the gates, undecided on which ride to hit first.
"That's the part I love," Wellman said, busting out laughing. "Kids come here, and they don't have to wait an hour and a half to ride a ride. They can ride and ride and ride until their stomachs and their parents can't handle anymore."
Wellman said the summer has been a great one for the park.
In July, the park celebrated the 50th anniversary of its big wooden rollercoaster, The Big Dipper, and also this summer opened up the 18-hole West Virginia Adventure Golf, a putt-putt course designed and built especially for Camden Park by the world-famous course builder Castle Golf, out of Arizona.
"We got off to a little bit of a slow start with all the rain in May and June, but when it started drying out in July and August, we just got packed to the gills," Wellman said.
Wellman said they've had a great summer attendance-wise and although they're still looking at the data, Camden Park seemed to have not only gotten visitors from most states (which is normal), but attracted a bit more locals as well.
Cruz and Betty Oquendo of Danville, W.Va., in Boone County said Camden Park is a great place that's close but that's loads of fun for their family of five that ranges from 11-year-old Christina to 2 1/2-year-old Jeremiah.
"We love it because it's big enough to have a lot of rides, but small enough where you don't have to worry about your kids every second," Betty said. "You can see them, so it's really good family fun without it being stressful for us."
With school starting back up for everyone, including Wellman, who teaches math at Rock Hill High School, the park will now be open 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays in September. It's gearing up for the 10th anniversary of the Halloween-themed attraction Spooktacular, which runs 6 to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in October including Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, and Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
"The maintenance guys are already working on it," Wellman said of Spooktacular. "They're trying to build a cannon that shoots fire and a pirate ship. They love Spooktacular because it gives them that chance to use their imagination and their mechanical skills."
If you go:
LABOR DAY HOURS: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today
SPECIAL EVENTS: America's Best Frisbee Dogs, who have performed at more than 500 NFL games, perform at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. today. Also, balloon artist Gary Boothe and award-winning folk rocker Steve Free and his band are on hand for multiple performances.
WHERE: Camden Park, West Virginia's only amusement park, located five miles west of Huntington along U.S. 60 west.
HOW MUCH: Admission is $20.99. Get coupons for $5 off online at www.camdenpark.com.
STARLIGHT: Admission is $7.99 after 5 p.m., when the park closes at 7:30 p.m.
WHAT ELSE: New this year is the 18-hole West Virginia Adventure Golf, a putt-putt course designed and built especially for Camden Park by the world-famous course builder Castle Golf, out of Arizona.
SEPTEMBER HOURS: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays in September including Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27.
AFTER HOURS MINI GOLF: Camden Park's new West Virginia Adventure Golf is open Sundays after the park closes at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $7.50 per person. While the park is open, cost is $6 per person.
SPOOKTACULAR: The 10th anniversary of the Halloween-themed attraction takes place 6 to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in October including Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, and Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
MORE INFO: Call 304-429-4321 or go online at www.camdenpark.com.
