DelGrosso's Amusement Park
Encyclopedia
DelGrosso's Amusement Park is a family-oriented amusement park located in Tipton, Pennsylvania
, a northern suburb of Altoona, Pennsylvania
. The park was purchased by the DelGrosso family in 1946 and was named "Bland's Park" until 2000. In 2000, the DelGrosso family decided to change its name to "DelGrosso's Amusement Park." The park is known for its family-friendly ride line-up, food and games as well as free parking and admission. The park hosts picnics and special music events in its pavilion/picnic area. The park owns two uncommon rides, an Eli Bridge Ferris wheel, and the Space Odyssey, one of the three "Caterpillar" rides still in operation.
DelGrosso's Amusement Park was originally opened by the Rinard brothers on the Blands' family farm in 1907. The park fell into disrepair during the Great Depression
. It was purchased in 1946 by Fred DelGrosso, at which time only a few picnic shelters remained. The DelGrosso family has continued to invest in the park with various additions and improvements and continues to operate it today.
The DelGrosso family is also the founder of DelGrosso Foods, Inc. DelGrosso Foods produces and distributes pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti noodles, and other Italian specialty items.
The park resides on both sides of Old Route 220. The water rides/waterpark, go-kart racing, miniature golf, water-side concessions and parking lie on the southeast side of the road, while the games, park rides, pavilions and park-side food reside on the northwest side of the road. There is a wheelchair-accessible walking bridge connecting both sides of the park over Old Route 220. Ride and waterpark passes may be purchased on either side of the park.
At the beginning of each day, the park salutes the United States
with The Star Spangled Banner. At this time everything in the park is halted as the national anthem is played.
"Zyklon" roller coaster
, installed in 1987, to Blue Diamond Park (Which Closed In 2008). A Zamperla
"Crazy Mouse" was installed in its place in 2004. In the same year a Fajume "Wacky Worm" kiddie coaster was added to the park.
In 2006, the park purchased the "Revolution," an Arrow
loop and corkscrew, from Libertyland
for $55,000 USD at auction. The coaster is still on-site as of May 2011 and at this time has no official opening date.
For the 2010 season, the park installed four new rides: a Chance-Morgan Pharaoh's Fury (an Egyptian-themed pirate ship ride), a Chance Morgan Yo-Yo (a roundabout swing ride), a Sellner Dizzy Dragons (a kiddie ride similar in concept to tea cups) and the X Scream (a 140 foot drop tower ride). The park also retired the Balloon Race and the Sea Dragon to make room for these additions in 2009, with the Ferris Wheel going on a hiatus.
Kiddie rides
Roller coasters
Past
Red Tower:
Green Tower:
Tipton, Pennsylvania
Tipton is a census-designated place in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,225 at the 2000 census. It is well known for its amusement park, DelGrosso's, formerly known as Bland's Park...
, a northern suburb of Altoona, Pennsylvania
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
. The park was purchased by the DelGrosso family in 1946 and was named "Bland's Park" until 2000. In 2000, the DelGrosso family decided to change its name to "DelGrosso's Amusement Park." The park is known for its family-friendly ride line-up, food and games as well as free parking and admission. The park hosts picnics and special music events in its pavilion/picnic area. The park owns two uncommon rides, an Eli Bridge Ferris wheel, and the Space Odyssey, one of the three "Caterpillar" rides still in operation.
History
Formerly known as Bland's Park until 2000, the small family-friendly amusement park is located in Tipton, in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Altoona railroad businessman Fred Delgrosso purchased the amusement park in 1946.DelGrosso's Amusement Park was originally opened by the Rinard brothers on the Blands' family farm in 1907. The park fell into disrepair during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. It was purchased in 1946 by Fred DelGrosso, at which time only a few picnic shelters remained. The DelGrosso family has continued to invest in the park with various additions and improvements and continues to operate it today.
The DelGrosso family is also the founder of DelGrosso Foods, Inc. DelGrosso Foods produces and distributes pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce, spaghetti noodles, and other Italian specialty items.
The current park
Highlights of the park include go-cart racing, an extensive kiddie-land, small water rides/waterpark, miniature golf, pavilion and catering amenities. The park hosts several annual events throughout the year. The “Summer Thunder” fireworks show for the 4th of July is a highlight of the park's season. Other events include the Native American Pow Wow, Italian Festival and Harvestfest which is a fall festival held in September to close out the season. The park also hosts "Spaghetti Wednesday" which features a special Italian dish each Wednesday during the summer.The park resides on both sides of Old Route 220. The water rides/waterpark, go-kart racing, miniature golf, water-side concessions and parking lie on the southeast side of the road, while the games, park rides, pavilions and park-side food reside on the northwest side of the road. There is a wheelchair-accessible walking bridge connecting both sides of the park over Old Route 220. Ride and waterpark passes may be purchased on either side of the park.
At the beginning of each day, the park salutes the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with The Star Spangled Banner. At this time everything in the park is halted as the national anthem is played.
Roller coasters
After the 2003 season, the park sold its PinfariPinfari
Pinfari is an Italian brand of portable roller coasters found at travelling fairs. The Pinfari company was founded by Daniel Pinfari in Mantua. The brand has been especially known for compact models with small footprints, such as the popular ZL42. Pinfari was liquidated on 15 July 2004, due to the...
"Zyklon" roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
, installed in 1987, to Blue Diamond Park (Which Closed In 2008). A Zamperla
Zamperla
Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
"Crazy Mouse" was installed in its place in 2004. In the same year a Fajume "Wacky Worm" kiddie coaster was added to the park.
In 2006, the park purchased the "Revolution," an Arrow
Arrow Dynamics
Arrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of...
loop and corkscrew, from Libertyland
Libertyland
Libertyland was Memphis, Tennessee's only amusement park. Opened on July 4, 1976, it was located at 940 Early Maxwell Blvd. It was structured under the nonprofit 5014 US tax code. It closed due to financial reasons in 2005.-History:...
for $55,000 USD at auction. The coaster is still on-site as of May 2011 and at this time has no official opening date.
For the 2010 season, the park installed four new rides: a Chance-Morgan Pharaoh's Fury (an Egyptian-themed pirate ship ride), a Chance Morgan Yo-Yo (a roundabout swing ride), a Sellner Dizzy Dragons (a kiddie ride similar in concept to tea cups) and the X Scream (a 140 foot drop tower ride). The park also retired the Balloon Race and the Sea Dragon to make room for these additions in 2009, with the Ferris Wheel going on a hiatus.
Rides
- Pharaoh's Fury
- Yo-Yo
- Scrambler
- Tipton Creek Railroad
- Free Fall
- Tilt-A-Whirl
- Paratrooper
- Space Odyssey
- Flying Bobs
- Super Spiral
- Dodgems
- Casino
- X Scream Tower
- Carousel
Kiddie rides
- Fire Trucks
- Corvette Race Cars
- Boats
- Elephants
- Whales
- Turtles
- Dizzy Dragons
- Helicopters
- Merry-Go-Round
Roller coasters
- Crazy Mouse
- Wacky Worm
Past
- Zyklon
- Little Dipper
- Two Bumper Car Rides
- Flying Scooters
- Sea Dragon
- Balloon Race
- Ferris Wheel
- Red Baron
Water attractions
- Tipton Waterworks
- Tipton Rapids
Red Tower:
- Midnight Express
- Great White
- Gravity Groove
Green Tower:
- Twin Twisters