# Dopefest at a North Central PA Amusement Park Phunfest? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 24, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopefest-at-a-north-central-pa-amusement-park-phunfest/551305 "2010-08-24T16:43:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopefest-at-a-north-central-pa-amusement-park-phunfest/551305/1 "2010-08-24T16:43:39Z")
This is to see if there is any interest in a Dopefest at Knoebels Grove Amusement Park for Saturday October 9th - the 25th annual Phoenix Phall Phunfest. I will have a table under the Phoenix-burger stand for the swapmeet during the day that can act as a primary gathering spot and we can always take over one of the regular eating tables or two as well. Knoebels is a very different kind of park and maybe well suited to this; I usually describe it as some sort of KGB training center that still thinks Leave it to Beaver is how Americans live. There is no parking fee, no admission, no gate, you can bring your own food and sodas (no alcohol), the carousel still has a brass ring and there are two world-class wooden coasters. If you have a dog on a leash and under control it is just as welcome as you are. If you ride a lot you can get a wristband; only want to ride one or two rides, you can get tickets. Want to just walk around and see things? Won’t cost you a dime. Free shows, two free museums and plenty to see with no charge. If you don’t want to haul food, the park food wins international awards and the cost is about the same as Denny’s or IHOP at the most. In other words it can be as cheap or as expensive of a day as you want to make it. **Phunfest** is a 300+ vendor craft show, covered bridge festival, costume party and more all held in the park; mostly around the parking/picnic area. Here is your chance to walk around an amusement park all day dressed as your favorite cite! 😃 Phunfest really is a great time and as I recall from when I floated the idea of an opening day party a few Dopers already attend fairly regular. Where the swapmeet is held is slightly away from the crafters so its a good chance to take a breather and visit over some hot chocolate. If you are a nearby Doper with a family who thinks this is all a little silly, this could be tailor-made. The swapmeet is from like 10am-3pm or so but the tables are there all night; once I claim “mine” we could share it as long as we want. Dopers could “gang up” or just lurk around as they pleased. I could even teach you how to ITOT (informal take-over time – everyone gets in line at an appointed time and rides together) on the bumper cars; which just happen to be the old 500lb Lusse models that are like hitting each other with real cars! That alone could be fun. To see what the park is like > **[America's Largest Free-Admission Amusement Park | Knoebels Amusement Resort](https://www.knoebels.com/)** > > Knoebels is America's largest free-admission amusement park with something for everyone - rollercoasters, kid-friendly rides, swimming, camping, golf. for the event [http://www.knoebels.com/pdfs/Phunfest\_2010.pdf](http://www.knoebels.com/pdfs/Phunfest_2010.pdf) This general idea, as I said, didn’t work for opening day - lack of interest. Let’s see the reaction to this time. And besides, it gives me a good excuse to head there this weekend and scout some more. Like I need an excuse. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopefest-at-a-north-central-pa-amusement-park-phunfest/551305/2 "2010-08-24T20:03:23Z")
See ya there – this’ll be our 14th PPP. ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopefest-at-a-north-central-pa-amusement-park-phunfest/551305/3 "2010-08-25T00:03:41Z")
Hmm. . . ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopefest-at-a-north-central-pa-amusement-park-phunfest/551305/4 "2010-08-25T02:11:28Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > See ya there – this’ll be our 14th PPP. Then we probably already know each other; I think this is like 14 or 15 for us. Does it help any if I admit to being DAFE and one of the Knoebels Clones from last year? I got to come up with some sort of marker for my table. I wonder where I can get a plush turkey and a mortar board to fit it? ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopefest-at-a-north-central-pa-amusement-park-phunfest/551305/5 "2010-08-28T01:42:46Z")
I loved Knoebels when I was a kid–went every year with my folks. Wish I could go to a Dopefest there but my best friend from high school is getting married that weekend so I’m afraid I have to pass. Have fun! ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopefest-at-a-north-central-pa-amusement-park-phunfest/551305/6 "2010-08-30T00:36:16Z")
They have Black Diamond well underway but I see no way it will be ready for Phunfest. I avoided using the “F word” (Flying Turns) around any family members but some of the employees say there are hopeful signs. Everything else looks set and they will be haunting the antique cars (as usual), the train and possibly something else. On a side note, the official name of the Phoenix-burger stand is Phoenix Junction. I keep forgetting that little detail. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopefest-at-a-north-central-pa-amusement-park-phunfest/551305/7 "2010-09-13T14:51:21Z")
I’ll give this one bump and then send it to the grave and PM Hal. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopefest-at-a-north-central-pa-amusement-park-phunfest/551305/8 "2010-09-14T04:42:26Z")
As usual, I’m interested but need transportation. It sounds like a lot of fun.