A Story by Linda Coletta

"So long to the Rocky Point Sign"

New England clam cakes and chowder, sweet corn on the cob, mouth-watering watermelon, warm summer breezes, and walks on the wharf come to mind as we cruise the coastline passing by the world's largest. Some of us may have toured a last ride through recalling what once greeted us from the right upon entering the park's grounds. A hole filled with dirt replaced the in-ground pool, but the grand memory of plunging into a saltwater swimming arena lives on.

Hundreds of passengers once voyaged steamboats landing at the rocky sea front. The trolley turnarounds then advanced the way to sight the park's first few attractions. Walking, taking a bus, pedaling a bike, hitchhiking for a ride, or pacing through traffic finally marked the journey well worth taken to reach what sat behind the Rocky Point sign.

Families from all cities jam-packed the park to ride the musical carousel circling the melodies of a 60-piece band hoping to grab the brass ring, to find a spot in Kiddieland to view the puppet shows, or to listen for the whistle to board the Huntington Train. People gathered on the beach to applaud the fireworks on the Fourth, talked into recording a single for 35 cents at the penny arcade, or tempted by the fortuneteller to find out what waits ahead. First dates could easily unwind at the Windjammer Lounge while couples perhaps captured moments of passion cramped inside the photo booth. The Palladium Ballroom accommodated many by sorting out the details to create the perfect wedding or to chaperone a high-school formal or to run a political party, or by setting the stage to welcome in the rhythm of ole blue eyes. And the hysterics heard throughout the midway brought on by the slapstick of the "soitenly" Stooges amused the very most.

Waiting in the long hot lines paid off by a wet splash from the Log Flume's water trails. When a sizzling hot dog or an ice-cold soda pop at last to your taste, you knew it was worth the wait. Not only a plus to take in an outdoor concert but if you won a prize by challenging the Midway's Frog Bog game or scored a fastball at the Speed Pitch, the day proved that much better. The ink from the hand stamp washed away, but the memoir of the distorted images formed by parading in front of a funhouse mirror might still reflect.

Imagining the crowd's screams and laughter we envision pairing up on the Feris Wheel, rumbling around in the Rok n Roll, surviving the Scrambler's winded swirls, changing direction halfway into the ride on the Musik Express, dodging the heat from the bumper car sparks, and pleading all through the House of Horrors to relive the excitement. Harnessed in a cabin anticipating the freefall, braced in a Corkscrew's car to loop the double Helix, or stuck on a Skyliner gondola swaying hundreds of feet from the ground faced by Rocky the Lobster instilled enough thrill for anyone.

While some may speak of the great fire that blazed the Rocky Point Hotel, the destruction to the park from the '38 cyclone, or when Hurricane Carol swept through the point others may connect that through each setback shore dinner hall continued to resurrect.

The batting range no longer stands, but as we reached the end of the park we might have been distracted by the past sound of a baseball slamming against a bat echoed by the voice of an auctioneer and considered that it would take a miracle for a miracle to happen. Lifetime chums looked at as bestsellers auctioned off to the highest bidder departing from a long-time address. We held onto the myth of Rocky Point existing just one more season but sadly realized that speeding over the hill to exit the park was in fact the only ride left.

Linda Coletta, a fan of Rocky Point Park, sent us this story. Have a story of your own you'd like to share? Visit our website, www.rockypointmovie.com, for more details.

Comments

[Cheryl Kennedy]

Loved the story by Linda Coletta. It brought back many fond memories of my younger days at Rocky Point and later became a yearly trip (all the way from Burrillville!) for me, my son and his friends on his birthday. Thank you Linda and the movie staff for giving me cause to reflect on such happy days!

[Suzanne Glucksman]

Reading Ms. Coletta's reflections on Rocky Point, certainly brought back many happy memories for me, my husband and my sons. My husband fondly remembers the hot summer days when, as a little boy, he and his mother would ride the bus to cool off in the salt-water pool at Rocky Point. As a family, our memories encompass many a Saturday or Sunday afternoon spent in the kiddie park and,then, as our children grew tall enough to enter the "adult" area to enjoy the roller coaster, bumper rides, fun house, "whip" and water rides, etc. Playing the games was always a challenge and we ended up with many stuffed animals, key rings, balls and what-not as a result. Thank you, Linda Coletta, for providing us with fond memories. The last line of her story was the most telling! Suzanne Glucksman

[Gail Harrison]

Thank you, Linda, for bringing back so many fond memories of Rocky Point Park. Your story helped me remember those family outings when my mother, my grandparents, and I would walk around the park, take in a few rides (my mom and I particularly enjoyed the Scrambler) and then settle in at the Shore Dinner Hall for chowder, clam cakes and watermelon. And years later, I would bring my sons to the park on those hot summer evenings, feel the cool bay breezes, and watch them climb on the rocks and look for fish among the shallow pools between the rocks. By the time we would bring them home, they were ready for bed. I wish the park had survived so I could introduce my future grandchild to the charm and beauty of this piece of Rhode Island history.

[Talleyho]

Wonderful articles....brings back great memories ! Well done .

[Joseph DeLorenzo]

My company did all the stages for all the entertainment on the midway and the palladium. I spent many a summer at the park with David Casioli, general manager, Henry Vara, and Jimmy Callahan, co-owners. My kids worked at the park, and I have many photos and info----

[LINDA FOLCARELLI]

LINDA, GREAT ARTICLE. BRINGS BACK SO MANY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. ROCKY POINT WAS THE DISNEYLAND OF OUR CHILDHOOD. WE LOOKED FORWARD TO GOING ON SUNDAYS, WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, TO THE SHORE DINNER HALL FOR THE BEST CHOWDER AND CLAMCAKES AND THEN THE REST OF THE DAY AT THE PARK. I GUESS ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END.

[Bob Arruda]

Great article!
Thank you Linda for wrighting it.

[RENEE DESROSIERS]

Linda I remember rocky point me and my friends spent every day there when i was a kid. That was our hang out and u know what its terrible that they took it maybe just maybe if they had another rocky point then the kids of today wouldnt be getting in trouble like they do now! I remember watching the rocky horror pic show every sat night over there! the food the rides the friends and laughs! I miss it all! U have touched the inner child in all of us rocky point lovers for all that have been there even if it was just once know what linda says is true! this story touches memories in us all. while reading ur story i found myself standing in line for the flume waiting to ride lol! thank you for bringing all the old memories back!! Maybe this story will touch someone new into rebuilding our old rocky point!! lol we can only hope!

[Sheila Amaral]

Loved the story! My fondest memories of Rocky Point are the chowder & clamcakes and the sweet, juicy watermelon...mmmmm, can taste it now! My favorite amusement was the Not so horrible, House of Horrors. The scariest thing about that place was all the gum and other things stuck on the walls!! My kids never really got to share in the joy!

[Gail LaFlamme]

Thanks for the memories Linda. I'm crying like I just lost my best friend as I read your article and remember the weekly visits and supper consisting of chowder and clamcakes. I feel bad for the kids today that will never experience Rocky Point.

[Scott]

What a great well written story. I only wish my kids had had the opportunity to have a local amusement park.

[ralph zompa]

Linda really love this article . It brought back many memories of my youth and childhood friends. I remember my favorite ride being The Music Express. I still remember that Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" was playing at the ride while I was on it.To this day everytime I hear this song I think of Rocky Point.
I also remember the clamcakes and sitting on the rocks and at the same time feeding seagulls. Ahhh the memories......

[Tony Tony Tony]

Linda that was a great story, everything you touched base on rang so true and I could see my childhood past like it was ysterday. Thank you Linda.
Tony Tony Tony.

[anthony]

Rocky Point was a great place.I loved the bumper cars,roller coaster and the flume. I cant forget the flume , after all I broke my teeth on that ride.I loved the "chowda" and clam cakes,so good, especially the red,yum,yum.A lot of great time,those were the days.

[Carla Caputo]

Linda

It was great to reminisce to your recollection of Rocky Point. It brought back great memories of when my children were young, actually even when I was young. Well done.

[Arlene]

Linda, thank you for your lovely story about Rocky Point, you brought back so many memories. I remember goint there as a little girl, with my mother and father, as a teenager on a date, then with my sons. Thanks again for so manny good memories.

[Bob Faris]

Great story Linda, I always
knew you would be a published author.

[Joe Legros]

Linda,
Thank.s for the trip down memory lane.I can remember my last time their with my two son's.We went on freefall 13 times.

[Frank P]

Linda,
I read the story and did have some exciting child moments as you visited each area of the park so precise. I remember as a child I couldn't sleep the night before I was going due to excitement. The concerts, shore dinner hall, arcade and of course the flume. As small as this state is with so much in it...Rocky Point was the same. These new bigger parks will NEVER compare to what we had as kids. Thank you again !
- Frank

[Matt Dragon]

I remember all the good times as a kid at Rocky Point. Thanks for the good memerories.

[Michelle Lanciaux]

Linda:

This is a great story, it brings back so many childhood memories. Almost every Sunday when the weather began to warm up,my grandparents would take me and my cousins to Rocky Point. Sometimes it was to ride the rides other times it was just to get the chowder and clamcakes. No matter which reason we were there, it was always a great time.

[Donna (Dragon) Morrone]

Linda, I saw you in the Rocky Point Movie and I was surprised to see you. The documentary brought back such great memories--I loved it all! I am going to buy the movie on DVD so that I can flashback to my younger days at good ole' Rocky Point whenever I want to!!!! I also love your story "So long to the Rocky Point Sign!!!

[Ed Bowser]

Linda, I saw you in the documentary "You must be this high" and read your story about Rocky Point. I was instantly transported back to a simpler time in my life... and yours. Life is good. Thanks for the time we shared many years ago and thanks for the memories. I am living in Quincy, MA. Eddie B.

[Cathie Cooke]

Linda, You were right on the money with every word.
We were blessed to have experienced Rocky Point in our childhood years. Nothing could come close to compare with the Shore Dinner Hall and Rides side by side and especially having the park so close to our homes. It was our play yard.

[DONNA R.]

THANK YOU LINDA FOR BRINGING BACK MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES. I ONLY WISH MY GRANDCHILDREN COULD SHARE THE HAPPY TIMES I EXPERIENCED THERE WITH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS..I GUESS ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END. THANK YOU BRINGING THE MEMORIES BACK.