The Crystal Beach Comet – Let’s Go For a Ride [VIDEO]

Boy does this bring back memories.  Most families in Western New York went to Crystal Beach Amusement Park once a year.  You might go on Kenmore Days, or Trico Day or Westinghouse Day or any one of a number of designated municipal or company days during the summer.

Once you crossed the Peace Bridge it seemed like forever before you got to the park.  You'd travel down Dominion Road, hang a left on Gorham and then, finally, there it was, Crystal Beach and all those colorful buildings and rides.  Come on, come on...park the car....time's a wastin'.  We've got a busy day ahead.

The Magic Carpet Fun House, the Giant Coaster, the weird laughing lady, the Scrambler, Tilt-o-Whirl, the Crystal Beach Dance Hall (that was for the old people), bumper cars and bumper boats, the Wild Mouse.  And there in the distance was the best ride in the park - the Comet.

You had to reach a certain height requirement to ride the Comet and when that first summer came when you were finally tall enough to ride you wondered if you really wanted to.  You had heard all kinds of stories of things that may or may not have happened to people riding the Comet.  But you took a great big gulp and went anyway.

"Keep your arms and legs inside the car, and don't stand up".  Did they really have to tell people that?  Here we go on one of the best roller coasters of its time.  We'll sit in the front seat on this ride.  And look all you want....there's no seat belt.  Have fun.