Matthew Caulfield offers a grim prognosis for the Paramount King's
Dominion Gavioli, but I might suggest "small glimmer of hope".
This park was recently purchased by Cedar Fair, who will soon remove
the Paramount name and who have a somewhat favorable if not perfect
history of operating organs at their Cedar Point park. I believe
they also have an operating Wurlitzer 153 at Dorney Park in Allentown,
Pennsylvania, and now a Wurlitzer 157 at another of their newly acquired
parks, Kings Island, in Ohio. I think the Kings Dominion Gavioli was
on the carousel when purchased from the family who operated it at Roger
Williams park in Providence, Rhode Island. It had been silent during
its last few years at that location.
In his tally of Coney Island amusements to remain after this coming
Labor Day, Vincent Morgan omits one significant icon: the 1928 Wonder
Wheel in Deno's Wonder Wheel Park at Denos D. Vourderis Place and
Boardwalk. The park houses a large array of rides including the 1955
Pretzel dark ride, Spook-A-Rama. To my knowledge the Vourderis family
plans to continue in business despite the scorched-earth policy of the
development company that bought much of the property in the amusement
zone. Also, the family of the late Ronnie Guerrero, owners of West
12th St. Amusements, may continue the operation of their four rides.
Bill Luca
Salem, Massachusetts
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