In an era of pricey theme parks and gated admission, one Pennsylvania amusement park is still letting guests in for free.Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, has been admission-free since it opened nearly a century ago.Knoebels opened its doors on July 4, 1926 — and will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, as the nation celebrates America's semiquincentennial.AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY SPARKS TRAVEL RUSH AS EXPERTS ISSUE URGENT BOOKING WARNINGMany of the earliest amusement parks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries operated without admission fees, especially so-called "trolley parks," which made money from charging guests for rides, food and drink.Park owner Brian Knoebel, 52, recently told PA Local he had to "had to pinky-swear" to never change the free-admission model.Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania has operated without a general admission fee since opening in 1926.(Helen/Alamy)"It's who we are," he said.
"It’s that traditional park."Knoebel said he recognizes that grandparents "get more satisfaction out of watching their grandkids ride the rides than they do themselves."NEW HOTELS FOR FAMILY-FRIENDLY TRAVEL IN AMERICA, FROM FLORIDA TO TENNESSEE AND MORE"And Grandma and Grandpa are on a limited income," he said."So they don’t pay to park.
We don’t force you to buy food in the park — if you want to bring a picnic lunch, then bring a picnic lunch."Knoebel, who said his ancestors came to America from Germany and worked as lumberers, said the amusement park began as a modest venture.Knoebels officials say the park's old-fashioned atmosphere remains central to its identity ahead of its centennial celebration.(Helen/Alamy)"After church on Sunday, they’d come down and park their horse and buggy off to the side, and frolic in the stream and have a little picnic," he told PA Local. "My great-grandfather would feed and stable your horses for, I believe, a quarter."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERKnoebe...