Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, September 2010 update

Upcoming activities at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach

September 4,5,& 6 – Playland Lives On Forever!

Bay Area residents know that September 4, 1972 was the final day of operation for Whitney’s Playland at the Beach in San Francisco. Within weeks we lost the Fun House, Laughing Sal, the roller coasters, the games, the excitement, and all that fun. Fortunately Playland will live on forever in our hearts and in our Playland-Not-at-the-Beach Museum of Fun, as you will discover this 3-day weekend.

We are bringing back the good old days! We will be conducting behind-the-scenes tours showing how volunteers built every section of this museum. We will be showing how it all came together — opening our archives for guests to look through our photographs and memorabilia. We will also be showing off the three new exhibit areas that are currently under development — you will be the first people to see them. There will be special contests for everyone. Bring the kids and the grandkids too.

We’re all indoors so the heat outside won’t matter. Come have a grand time! You are also welcome to bring a picnic lunch. We provide the eating areas (indoors) as well as refrigerator, ovens, ice makers, range, and microwave ovens.

There will be entertainment all weekend long too:

Saturday at 1:15 and 3:00: Professor B’s Flea Circus!

Professor B has been training fleas from around the world for many years and has put together the most amazing congress of unusual acts you have ever seen. You will see alive before your very eyes all of the following:

+ The world’s only Rock ‘n’ Roll Flea doing his imitation of the King: Elvis Presflea
+ Fifi LaFlea, the Parisian high wire walker — will she make it all the way across?
+ The Daredevil High Diver, Evil Fleanevil, fearlessly climbs to the top of the ladder and then plunges head first into a small pool of water!
+ The world’s only Mind-Reading Flea, the amazing Fleo!
+ A flea fired out of a cannon to be caught in the hand of a member of the audience! Never to be forgotten! The Austrian strong flea, Arnold!
+ A flea-powered carousel entirely propelled by the strength of two amazing fleas!

There are skeptics out there who claim there is no such thing as a Flea Circus. See for yourself or, better yet, bring a camera to prove to your friends that everything is as described.

Sunday and Monday: Amazing Magicians performing both afternoons!

At Playland-Not-at-the-Beach pay one low price to play all day — over 30+ pinball machines set on Free Play, Penny Arcade devices, carnival games, magic shows, historic films. Only $10 for youths (up to 14 years old), $10 for seniors (55 and up), and $15 for General Admission. Parking is free! If you wish to visit one of the local eateries for lunch, re-entry to the Museum of Fun is free.

Special on Monday, Labor Day, September 6th: Adults get in for the child’s price — $10. Just print out this coupon and bring it with you. Without this coupon the price is $15.

Adventure Weekend is Saturday & Sunday, September 11 and 12:

Put on your helmet and pull out your bullwhip. Become Indy Jones or Dora the Explorer as you try to solve our mysteries. We supply the treasure maps, the compasses, and all the tools to discover the hidden treasures. Beware the Chamber of Laughter and don’t get fooled by Esmeralda the Foolish Fortune Teller. She’s just trying to get you lost! These adventures are geared for every age from 5 to 105.

This October – Magic Classes with Heather Rogers

We are proud to announce in early October The Return of Heather Rogers providing two evenings of Magic Classes — Beginning and Advanced. Watch for details on our website and in future newsletters.

Don’t miss our Extra Day to PLAY This Weekend!

This weekend is Labor Day Weekend, and Playland-Not-at-the-Beach will be open for all three days — Saturday, Sunday & Monday, September 4,5,6 from 10 AM to 5 PM.

To see our other Extra Days to Play visit our website: http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org

“Remembering Playland”

“Remembering Playland”, the documentary all about Whitney’s Playland in San Francisco, continues to play at 12:30 each day at the Balboa Theater. Or you can order it on Remembering Playland DVD from our Playland Souvenir Shop. Just go to our website www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org or call (510) 232-4264 ext. 24. The DVD version has fifteen minutes of extra footage not shown in the theater.

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach nonprofit Museum of Fun, open to the public every Sat, Sun and school holiday. Open evenings for private events 365 days a year. 10979 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (510) 592-3002. http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org . Admission $10 for kids (to 13), $10 for seniors (55 and up), and $15 for general admission. Admission includes 34 free pinball machines, penny arcades, carnival games, treasure hunts, miniature dioramas, and surprises around every corner. ACE members receive a $5.00 discount on admission upon presentation of their ACE membership cards.

— Thanks go to Frank Biafore for contributing this article.

Playland-Not-at-the-Beach
web site: http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Playland-Not-At-The-Beach/99162687027