Quassy Amusement Park is an amusement and waterpark in Middlebury, Connecticut, and is one of only 11 trolley parks still operating in the United States. It has 20 rides on its 20 acres (81,000 m2). Quassy consists of a full-fledged amusement park plus a waterpark called Splash Away Bay. Swimming in Lake Quassapaug is available. In 1901, a writer pronounced Lake Quassapaug as "the handsomest bit of natural water on Earth". Today, beach clubs and houses surround the entire lake. The park is home to the award-winning Wooden Warrior roller coaster, which opened in 2011. Quassy offers swimming, picnicking, a catering service, an arcade, a waterpark, and live entertainment including school bands, dance groups and magic shows.
| Previously known as Lake Quassapaug (1908-1982) | |
 | |
| Location | Middlebury, Connecticut, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°31′38″N 73°09′01″W / 41.5271°N 73.1504°W |
| Opened | 1908 |
| Owner | George Frantzis II Eric Anderson |
| Slogan | Affordable Family Fun |
| Operating season | Late April through early October |
| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 38 |
| Roller coasters | 2 |
| Water rides | 15 |
| Website | www |
The park uses an all-day ride and waterpark wristbands or pay-by-ride system. A wristband is required to enter the waterpark and beach area, or guests may pay a separate admission. Admission to the park is free but a parking fee is charged.[1]
History
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Quassy originally opened as a trolley park, owned and operated by an electrified rail line. It has been a staple in Connecticut entertainment for more than 100 years. In 1908, Quassy became a stop along the trolley line between Waterbury and Woodbury. As more people got off at this stop, Quassy became a summer resort area. In 1937, three businessmen purchased the property and began to develop it.[2] After World War II, Quassy established itself as a full amusement park.
Rides and attractions
edit| Ride name[3] | Attraction Type | Opening year[3] | Manufacturer[3] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roller Coasters | |||
| Little Dipper | Kiddie Roller Coaster | 1952 | Allan Hershell |
| Wooden Warrior | Custom designed wooden family coaster | 2011 | The Gravity Group |
| Thrill Rides | |||
| Reverse Time | Reverse Time | 2016 | SBF Visa Group |
| Paratrooper | Hydraulic Lift Paratrooper | 1997 | Frank Hrubetz & Co. |
| Super Himalaya | Music Fest | 2023 | Reverchon |
| Tidal Wave | Pirate 32 | 2020 | SBF Visa Group |
| Yo-Yo Swing | Yo-Yo | 2006 | Chance Rides |
| Bumper Cars | Bumper Cars | 1979 | JLGH |
| Free Fall'N | Drop Zone | 2010 | SBF Visa Group |
| Frantic | Frisbee | 2015 | Visa International |
| Family Rides | |||
| Helicopters | Helicopter | 1958 | Allan Herschell |
| Ghost Hunt | |||
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Tilt-A-Whirl | 1977 | Sellner |
| Big Flush Water Coaster | Big Flush | 1999 | White Water |
| Grand Carousel | Grand Carousel | 1990 | Chance Rides |
| Quassy Express Train | C.P. Huntington | 1948 | Chance Rides |
| Crazy Cups | Midi Tea Cup | 2012 | Zamperla |
| Skipper's Clippers | Visa Pirate Jet | 2017 | SBF Visa Group |
| Up, Up & Away | Samba Balloon | 2017 | Zamperla |
| Kiddie Rides | |||
| Jet Fighters | Sky Fighter | 1952 | Allan Hershell |
| Boat Ride | Kiddie Boat Ride | 1952 | Allan Hershell |
| Frog Hopper | Frog Hopper | 2000 | S&S Worldwide |
| Kiddie Bumper Cars | 2015 | VISA International | |
| Splash Away Bay Water Park Rides | |||
| Saturation Station | WaterColors | 2003 | SCS Interactive |
| Tunnel Twisters | Tunnel Twisters | 2006 | ProSlides Technology |
| BulletBowl | BulletBowl | 2013 | ProSlides Technology |
| FreeFALL Extreme Bodyslides | FreeFALL | 2013 | ProSlides Technology |
| Fish Pond | Splashpad | 2013 | Vortex Aquatic Structures |
| Slide City | (various models) | 2016 | ProSlide Technology |
| Category 5 Rapids Raft Rides | (various models) | 2018 | ProSlide Technology |
| Rocket Rapids Water Coaster | Water Coaster | 2022 | ProSlide Technology |
| Attractions | |||
| Quassy Beach | Lakeside Beach | - | - |
| Quassy Quest Laser Maze | Laser Tag | - | - |
| Quassy Queen | Excursion Boat | - | - |
| Redemption Arcade | Arcade | - | - |
| Midway Games | Game Booths | - | - |
| Quassy Zoo | Fiberglass Animals | - | - |
Defunct attractions
edit| Ride name[3] | Attraction Type | Opening year[3] | Closing year[3] | Manufacturer[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Mouse | Wild Mouse | 1960 | 1983 | B. A. Schiff |
| Mad Mouse | Monster Mouse | 1983 | 2010 | Allan Herschell |
| Trabant | 1965 | 2015 | ||
| Dune Buggies | 1972 | 2016 | ||
| Space Age | 1983 | 2016 | ||
| Galleon | Galleon 33 | 2008 | 2019 | Zamperla |
Gallery
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Entrance
Saturation Station
YoYo ride
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Connecticut Family Outings Facility - Quassy Amusement Park - school field trips, thrill rides, NY Archived June 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Connecticut History. "Quassy: One of the Last of the Old-Time Trolley Parks". ConnecticutHistory.org
- ^ a b c d e f g "Rides and Attractions". Quassy.com. Retrieved April 15, 2018.