Cult attraction at Rye Playland celebrates its 95th anniversary

The Dragon Coaster at Rye Playland, which opened in 1929, will celebrate its birthday weekend on Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21, the park announced.

Designed by Frederick A. Church, the wooden roller coaster is 24 meters tall and has a track length of approximately 1,035 meters. It is the only one of Church’s roller coasters still in operation on the East Coast and one of 48 roller coasters recognized by American roller coaster enthusiasts as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark.

Ahead of the attraction’s birthday weekend, the park will initially mark the occasion with dragon-themed activities from Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14. This includes a kite-making station where children can decorate custom artwork that will then become part of a large three-dimensional dragon body.

This dragon will then be carried on poles during the park’s festive dragon parade on July 20 and 21 at 4 p.m. The second weekend of the festival will also include a concert series, fireworks on Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20, boat races and more.

“The Dragon Coaster has been a staple in family history for generations and has created 95 years of exciting memories that we wanted to honor and celebrate this summer,” said Evonne Keeler, CEO of Playland, adding, “We are excited to embrace that history with Playland’s Dragon Festivities, which will delight guests of all ages all weekend long.”

Click here to follow Daily Voice Rye and get free news updates.