It’s roller-coaster season! Every year National Roller Coaster Day is celebrated on August 16. It’s time to visit an amusement park these last couple of weekends of summer. If you’re looking for a thrill or two, let’s go!
Do you remember your first ride on a roller coaster? I do! I was about 8 or 9 years old and definitely wouldn’t describe myself as a dare-devil. I recall that summer when I, literally, took the plunge.
I vividly remember standing in line with my best neighborhood friend, Suzy. As we waited, I stared up at the wooden beams as my feet were planted safely on the ground. The coaster looked large and ominous. I recall trying to feel brave as we heard the cars zipping past with the riders either screaming in delight or out of pure terror. I was clinging to the hope that I would enjoy the ride.
We were in Idora Park, an amusement park in Youngstown, Ohio, which was open from 1899-1984. The roller coaster was named The Jack Rabbit. The scaffolding was all-white and the car rode in between orange stripes on the track. It was built next to the parking lot and was the first ride you saw as you entered the park. We boldly made it our first stop that year.
I was nervous when it was our turn to climb in the car. The only thing holding us in was a flimsy seatbelt. There was a metal bar you had to lean over a bit to grab. I clutched my hands tight around that bar but with sweaty hands, I felt very uneasy. I tried to white-knuckle it the best I could. Who can ever forget the jerking motion of the car when it started up the track? That was followed by the click, click, clicking of the car moving up the steep hill. That sound is still so synonymous with summer.
Looking back, that was the perfect first-time coaster ride. The initial drop was scary but exhilarating with plenty of bunny-hops hills to follow! That’s why it was appropriately named The Jack Rabbit. We giggled the whole ride as the wind blew our hair in our faces. If you want to take a virtual recreation of the ride, click here!
That same summer we also bravely rode the famous Wild Cat at Idora Park which was ranked among the Top 10 coasters back in 1984. Take an original ride from the front seat by clicking here! If you ever rode it, it will bring back some great memories!
The following year it was off to a much larger park, Kings Island, for a ride on the Double Racers. I distinctly remember riding that red, white, and blue twin-car race with my dad with his arm wrapped tightly around me. It was a big drop!
After my first heroic experience on a roller coaster around 1976, I became adventurous and rode many more back in the day. Although, the mild coasters that have simple hills are the only ones I will venture on today. I admit I still white-knuckle the safety bar like it’s my first ride years ago on the beloved and missed Jack Rabbit.
A special thank you to my mother-in-law for rustling up this vintage popcorn box for this week’s photo! I know she has great memories from Idora Park too!
Idora Park was such an iconic local destination growing up in Youngstown. Summers weren’t complete unless you visited at least once. I have many great memories of the whole park which I will share down the road..or should I say, down the hill….
