“It was magic. It was the playground of summer.”
— Tim Wagner

Wednesday, September 10 at 8 pm on
WNED-TV — Premiere

Rebroadcast Dates:

• Saturday, September 13 at noon
• Sunday, September 14 at 3 pm
• Saturday, September 20 at 5 pm

The sweet taste of a cinnamon Halls sucker or a powdered sugar waffle on a warm summer day …

The butterflies in the pit of your stomach as the Comet plunges more than 85 feet …

Dancing and romancing during the ferry ride from Buffalo on the elegant Canadiana.

If you’re tall enough to ride, WNED has your ticket back. Enjoy one more “Laff-in-the-Dark” and many other nostalgic highlights from Crystal Beach.

For just over a century (1888-1989), millions of Western New Yorkers and Southern Ontarians created memorable moments here. Now, this new WNED documentary revisits the beloved Ontario, Canada amusement park through the personal recollections of some of its greatest fans.

“The film is a celebration of a place that had a big impact on childhood for generations,” said Senior Producer Lynne Bader-Gregory. Incorporating “tons of footage” from former patrons’ family film reels, “it looks very much like a home movie,” she said.

Topics include:

• the beach itself (named for its silica sand crystals)
• major attractions (the Cyclone rollercoaster and its successor the Comet; the Magic Carpet/Magic Palace; the Laff-in-the-Dark funhouse)
• the dance hall/ballroom
• the Canadiana ferry boat

While capturing the experiences that live on in the hearts of park goers, Remembering Crystal Beach Park also follows the trail of some park icons that have found new life in other forms or places. These include Crystal Beach’s classic 1948 roller coaster (relocated to Lake George, N.Y.) and signature treats, such as Halls suckers and loganberry drink.

“This film gives viewers the experience of being there,” said WNED President and CEO Donald K. Boswell. “Whether you’ve visited Crystal Beach personally or just wonder what all the excitement was about, you’ll see what made this park special and unique for so many.”