Pennsylvania HR 448: A Resolution designating July 4, 2026, as "Knoebels Amusement Resort Day" in Pennsylvania, celebrating 100 years of operation in this Commonwealth.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3044
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 448
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY STEHR, HAMM, M. MACKENZIE, RAPP, MADDEN,
STAMBAUGH, HADDOCK, BRENNAN, NEILSON, KAUFFMAN, GILLEN,
PICKETT, MALONEY, RADER, STENDER, SCHEUREN, ROWE, HOHENSTEIN,
FLICK, TWARDZIK, HEFFLEY, BRIGGS, ARMANINI, WATRO,
BENNINGHOFF, CIRESI AND LEADBETER, MARCH 19, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, MARCH 23, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Designating July 4, 2026, as "Knoebels Amusement Resort Day" in
Pennsylvania, celebrating 100 years of operation in this
Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, Knoebels Amusement Resort, commonly referred to as
"Knoebels," is a family-owned-and-operated amusement park and
campground located in Elysburg; and
WHEREAS, Knoebels is the largest free admission park in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, Knoebels opened on July 4, 1926, upon a beautiful
valley in central Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The Knoebel family purchased a plot of land in 1828
for $932 and used the land predominantly for farming until the
early 1900s; and
WHEREAS, The location later turned into a popular picnic
destination named "Knoebels Grove," where visitors could enjoy
the creek-fed swimming hole and purchase soft drinks and snacks;
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and
WHEREAS, Popularity for Knoebels Grove grew and the Knoebel
family began to lease plots of land along the creeks as summer
cottage sites, with some of these cottages still existing on the
property today; and
WHEREAS, In 1926, the Knoebel family's entrepreneurial vision
included adding a restaurant, a steam-powered carousel and
transforming the old creek-fed swimming hole into a concrete
filtered swimming pool named "The Crystal Pool"; and
WHEREAS, The Crystal Pool became the focal point of the park
with over 50 attractions, rides and games added for visitors to
enjoy; and
WHEREAS, Knoebels thrived over the years, spanning 150 acres
and featuring 64 attractions that include roller coasters and
water rides; and
WHEREAS, In those thriving years, the amusement park endured
many challenges with Mother Nature; and
WHEREAS, Due to the amusement park's proximity to water
sources, Knoebels has suffered substantial damage to property
from major flooding in 1972, 1975, 1996, 2004, 2006 and 2011;
and
WHEREAS, Despite Mother Nature's best attempts at
destruction, Knoebels continues to reopen year after year, with
the help from dedicated staff and loyal community support; and
WHEREAS, Knoebels is more than just a free admission, free
parking and free entertainment amusement park, Knoebels is a
shining example of what Pennsylvania is known for; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate July 4,
2026, as "Knoebels Amusement Resort Day" in Pennsylvania and
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celebrate a century of pure Pennsylvania amusement and
entertainment.
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