Ferris wheel, carousel stay in GOTL
By MARGIE TRAX PAGEStaff Writer
mtrax@starbeacon.com
GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE - - Fat raindrops splattered on the Tilt-o-Whirl and ran down the noses of the carousel horses at Erieview Amusement Park Tuesday morning as each ride was auctioned off to the highest bidder.
The lights on the Ferris wheel and Salt 'n Pepper Shaker twinkled and people from Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Nebraska clamored to own a piece of the 61-year-old amusement park.
"Things are going well. I am pretty pleased with the turnout," park owner Don "Woody" Woodward said. "I feel pretty good about this. You can't imagine the things we found for auction," he said.
Nothing was held back at the auction. Vintage vending machines, popcorn makers, signs, t-shirts, and even restaurant chairs were held up for bid. More than 300 people attended the auction, snapping up signs for $500, vending machines for $200, restaurant equipment for $50 to $175, and everything in between.
"We could have had 100 more lots (in the auction), but we just ran out of time to get it all ready," Woodward said. "Some of this stuff I didn't know we had. Some of it pre-dates me," he said.
Youngstown resident Sue Moderalli had no intention of purchasing anything at the auction but she wanted to see her favorite amusement park one last time.
"I am so sad to see all this gone. These small parks are so rare nowadays," she said.
Moderalli has been vacationing in Geneva-on-the-Lake for 12 years and said the resort village is like a second home to her. Moderalli spent her time at the auction taking photos of the rides she will miss so much.
"I am especially concerned about the carousel. I hope it goes to a nice place, someplace where it will be appreciated," she said.
The carousel won't go far, nor will the Ferris wheel or the Erieview train.
These key components of the park are here to stay. The Ferris wheel will move just a few hundred yards to the Old Firehouse Winery and the carousel will be moved to Geneva-on-the-Lake's Adventure Zone Family Fun Center, Woodward said.
The beloved Erieview Park train, which gave riders a stunning view of the water, is also staying with a private owner in the Geneva area, Woodward said.
"I am so glad to see the main pieces stay local. Those rides are Erieview's signature rides and it is nice to know where they are," he said.
The smallest rides brought the biggest prices. Though Paddle Wheel Boat owner Kaylee Belle hoped to buy the tiny hand-cranked car ride for $2,000 for Conneaut Lake Park, the ride sold for $8,000. The Tilt-o-Whirl and flying scooters were the lowest-priced rides at $6,000, Woodward said.
Fright Zone, which is the last ride of it's kind, was sold as a whole unit and Woodward hopes it stays that way.
"I would really like to see it stay together. It is history, after all," he said.
All the rides must be off Erieview Park property within two weeks and Woodward said he is happy to move on after the auction.
"I am very glad (the auction) is over. I am anxious to move on and start preparing the property for what is next," he said.
Woodward will not reveal his plans for the park, saying only that he has three possibilities lined up for the property and hopes to have some portion of the redevelopment open at the beginning of the next summer season. The rest of the redevelopment will be constructed over two to three years in "logical stages," he said.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 10/4/2006
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