ONTARIO

London

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Frolic-Land
(1959 - 1959)

    This park grew out of the midway at The Western Fair Grounds in London. See Salter's Grove and The CEC Midway Exhibition Groundsfor more on The Western Fair.) Conklin Shows had been providing a midway for the fair but decided to open a season-long park starting in 1959. Opening day was Friday, May 15. It presumably ran through the fair's time and then closed for the season, likely early in September.

    Rides included an "Auto Skooter", Ferris Wheel, Funhouse, "Himalaya", "Hot Rods", "Hurricane", "Junior Hot Rods", "Laff-in-the-Dark", Merry-Go-Round, pony rides, "Rotor", "Water Boats," and a "Whip". Another carousel is mentioned, but this may refer to an automobile or similar children's carousel type of ride.

    The Funhouse, was called the "Allotria" and was the same model as one at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. The "Rotor" operated for at least the 1959 season by its inventer, Ernest Hoffmeister. (See the CEC Midway Exhibition Grounds for world's fair information.)

    Also mentioned are two roller coasters. The basic one may have been a kiddie or junior steel, but the adult one was one of the imported Conklin "Wild Mouse" rides. They already had some at The Canadian National Exhibition, and several permanent parks in Canada.

    New information from Jim Conklin of Conklin Shows says that Frolic-Land was basically designed to appeal to young kids. It consisted of mostly kids rides with no major rides of any significance. It was not financially successful and only operated one season. Jim was the young manager of part of the park at the time.

    Given the conflicts with the "Billboard" article, I can only assume that the adult rides were there for the fair only, while the rest of the season was just a kiddie-land style of park.

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