See Disneyland During Its Opening Year (VIDEO)

by Libby Zay on


The Disney History Institute has pulled together a bunch of home movie scraps to compile a video of Disneyland in 1955, the park’s opening year. Besides an overview of what Disneyland was like to an average guest back in the day, the film also shows some rarely seen elements, like the lingerie shop on Main Street (it only lasted six months at the park) and a a short-lived ride called Canal Boats of the World (so unpopular there was only one clip of it in operation). There’s also a glimpse of workers putting the finishing touches on the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship, which was only half painted to create a TV promo before the park opened. Viewers might also notice the absence of costumed characters, which didn’t come around until much later. Instead, entertainment through the 1950s included acts like an organ grinder and his monkey, which can be spotted in the film.

[via BoingBoing]

Fall Festival Season Starts Early

by Chris Owen on

Fall Festival season is right around the corner as we close the books on summer and head into September. Oktoberfest is one of the more popular events that starts in late September, but fans of fall festivals and events don’t have to wait that long. In northern areas and higher elevations, leaves are turning and fall festival events are starting in the next couple of weeks.

Oktoberfest in Breckenridge– Breckenridge, Colorado, starts September 14
At the 18th annual Oktoberfest, the largest Oktoberfest in the Rocky Mountains, visitors will find a fun-filled weekend of fall foliage, parties, genuine German cuisine, collectable steins and special accommodation packages. During the event, Main Street becomes a street party with traditional costumes, German food, Oompah and polka music, Bavarian dancers, children’s activities, a keg-tapping ceremony, 5K run and Paulaner bier.

Old World Village Oktoberfest– Huntington Beach, California, starts September 9
Centered on Bratwurst and Beer, this adds bands, a parade, dachshund races and more on an 8-acre site with 50 buildings, where the 1st floor is commercial and living quarters are on top. Within the Old World village is the Old World German Restaurant & the Euro Market, Bakery & German Deli, all part of a family-owned and operated business since 1978.

Snohomish Festival of Pumpkins– Snohomish, Washington, starts September 15
Boasting their annual Pumpkin Hurl and Medieval Faire, Snohomish, Washington, has Trebuchets launching pumpkins in a competition, mounted knights battling on horseback, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and a brewfest during the day. At night they have bonfires, fire pits, a haunted swamp cornfield, a field of screams, a hunt for zombies and more.

Let’s take a look at that pumpkin hurl:



[Flickr photo by Zach Dischner]