After years of hearing the jingle "there's more than corn in Indiana, at Indiana Beach," Apex Parks announced yesterday the closure of the amusement park on Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana. The park was originally owned and operated by the Spackman family until sold to corporate firms in 2008 and again in 2015. Our family enjoyed our earlier trips from Bryce's infancy in the mid-90s to the early years of our younger boys, but grew dismayed when commercialism sullied what had been a delightful family-friendly experience, full of time-honored traditions and fun. A sad day for all!
An Amateur Ode to Indiana Beach
by Wendy Hill
2/19/2020
An Amateur Ode to Indiana Beach
by Wendy Hill
2/19/2020
94 years is an awful long time
for rich amusement on only a dime.
Family friendly, for oh so long.
Why did it have to go so wrong?
But greed crept in and loyalties shifted;
The crowds grew thin and interest drifted.
When making a buck usurped building a dream,
memories of good times gave way to a scheme:
give up the locals, increase the fees,
sacrifice the goal of trying to please.
The mighty dollar crushed happiness.
Could we have really expected less?
We'll cherish the memories of times gone by:
walking the boardwalk, riding the rides,
eating an elephant ear, hearing a band,
digging our toes down into the sand.
A quarter a shot in the arcade.
Collecting tickets for a worthy trade.
The Double Shot ride was a show-stopper;
for tiny tots, it was the Frog-hopper.
The Hoosier Hurricane provided a shake;
The Shafer Queen, a trip round the lake.
We dared the Sky Coaster, a chance to fly;
The Double Shot ride was a show-stopper;
for tiny tots, it was the Frog-hopper.
The Hoosier Hurricane provided a shake;
The Shafer Queen, a trip round the lake.
We dared the Sky Coaster, a chance to fly;
The swings on the water, as wind swept by.
The Cornball Express and the Falling Star,
Little ones jumped on a plane, boat, or car.
We went upside down on the Steel Hawg;
Cooled on hot days with a ride in a log.
Ate pronto pups and bought names in wire;
watched water-skiers jump through the fire.
The snapshots vivid, the memories true,
Indiana Beach, we bid you adieu!
Oh for those sweet years! Look at their faces!
Our fearless fellows!
Brotherly love.
Trevor scavenged someone's glasses left on the ground - goofball!
The Cornball Express and the Falling Star,
Little ones jumped on a plane, boat, or car.
We went upside down on the Steel Hawg;
Cooled on hot days with a ride in a log.
Ate pronto pups and bought names in wire;
watched water-skiers jump through the fire.
The snapshots vivid, the memories true,
Indiana Beach, we bid you adieu!
Oh for those sweet years! Look at their faces!
Our fearless fellows!
Brotherly love.
Trevor scavenged someone's glasses left on the ground - goofball!
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