By John Pasternak
Last night was the end to a bittersweet part of my life. Ever since I can remember, I have gone to Geauga Lake. Last night I saw the end of what was truly a special place. I left the park for the last time as I entered it the first time. A person in love with amusement parks.
This experience brought closure to me. I was able to walk the park for hours, tell old tales. We even walked where several rides once were (where they were in the water park.) I was even fortunate to meet past employee’s who worked there in the 90s who shared their story.
For those of you that couldn’t be there, the end was beautiful. While surrounded by present staff, past staff and several long time guests, the park staff lowered the flags in what was almost complete silence. After that, those who didn’t work there walked out of the gate. People on both sides of the entrance watched the gate close for the final time. People cheered as if we were all proud of the work we’d done, not only the current generation but the past as well.
To the current generation of staff: Thank you. Remember this isn’t your fault. You probably worked your tail off this summer. It was evident you weren’t giving up at the end, either. Several times last night I heard park guests say “you would never guess this was the last day.” Keep your heads held high. I know several of the past employees were proud of you.
To the past generation: It was so nice seeing all of you. It was nice to be able to go home one last time and spend time with family. It was nice that after so many years we could talk as if we worked together yesterday:
To everyone: As Yogurt says to Lone Starr in “Spaceballs,”
“Yogurt: Use the Schwartz, Lone Starr! Use the Schwartz!
Lone Starr: I can’t – I lost the ring!
Yogurt: Forget the ring! The ring is bupkis! I found it in a Cracker Jack box! The schwartz is in you, Lone Starr!”
In the long run, it was just a place as Lone Starrs’ ring was just a ring. Geauga Lake will live on in us as long was we tell the stories, have family dinners and meetups. It is because of a summer job I applied for on a whim that I made friends and family that I don’t know what I would do without today.
