Hartford Business Journal

5 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | SEPTEBER 20, 2021 Arts & Culture By Melissa Nicefaro Special to the Hartford Business Journal H ard hit by the changes to how businesses can operate over the past 18 months, Connecticut's theme parks are looking for new ways to boost attendance post peak summer season. After 19 years of running an adult- geared Haunted Graveyard, Bristol- based Lake Compounce has decided to switch from a terror-filled event to a more family-friendly fall experience. That prompted its cross-state rival, Middlebury-based Quassy Amusement Park, to extend its season and take over the Haunted Graveyard concept. Quassy is partnering with Ernie Romegialli, who has operated Lake Comounce's Haunted Graveyard for years, to launch "Terror at Quassy," which will run for 12 Nights — on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays — starting Friday, Oct. 8, through Halloween, Sunday, Oct. 31. Quassy has already extended its 2021 season by adding a laser light show and hosting its annual Oktoberfest event in September. The theme park had been exploring the idea of presenting a Halloween experience for years and decided to move ahead with it in 2021, especially in light of Lake Compounce's shift. Quassy's amusement ride section will be transformed into a variety of frightening attractions including a zombie hospital, dungeons, misty walkway and demons of darkness area. The park's athletic field will play host to a haunted catacombs and cemetery and themed live performances will take place at its Carousel Theatre stage and a number of the park's major rides. "Like every other small business, we were hard hit [by the pandemic] and had to look outside of the box for different ways to raise revenue into the off-season," said Ron Gustafson, Quassy's director of marketing and public relations. "We've suffered a dramatic cut in attendance without camps, business events and school events. Once we close for winter, people think we pack our bags and go south, but we work throughout the year, trying to find ways to grow business." Admitting that staffing shortages, inflation and a minimum wage increase (Connecticut's hourly minimum wage increased from $12 to $13 on Aug. 1) have become "real issues," Gustafson says the new fall offerings will be a boost to the park's bottom line. He declined to disclose the park's annual revenue or attendance numbers. Quassy Amusement Park did receive a $368,770 Paycheck Protection Program loan from the first round of the federal program, according to federal figures. Though it could appear that Quassy poached the adult-themed event from Lake Compounce, both theme parks say the change was amicable. Lake Compounce began to look at other alternatives in 2020, around the same time that Quassy was mulling adding a Halloween event. "The Haunted Graveyard definitely has a following as a scary experience," said Lake Compounce spokesperson Lynsey Winters. "Most of our demographics that we see come into the park are families with kids between ages three and 13 — that's really our core demographic of who our season pass holders are." Lake Compounce and Quassy will also compete with Springfield Mass.'s Six Flags amusement park, which hosts its own terror-themed attraction during the fall. Better turnout Lake Compounce's Happy Hauntings event will cater to families who can come to the park in costume, participate in trick or treating, and indulge in Halloween- themed foods and a pumpkin patch. There are plans to partner with a local dog rescue one day and visitors can bring their pet. "We'll still have our thrill rides available for any adults or older kids that want to come — you can still get those full in-depth rides in the peak of fall with the leaves changing," Winters said. Lake Compounce expects to see more season pass holders visit this fall, Winters said. "We are expecting a good turnout this year, similar to Haunted Graveyard, but this is a slightly different mix," Winters says, adding that attendance numbers are not made public. The event starts Saturday, Oct. 2, and runs every weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Halloween. Staffing has also been difficult at Lake Compounce this year, Winters said. The theme park will be hiring 200 seasonal employees this fall since a significant number of staff returned to school. "We did have some great turnout days and weekends this summer, especially when the weather was great. We saw a huge turnout and I think that will be the same for Halloween. I think people are excited to be out and about after the pandemic," Winters says. The pandemic, though difficult for business, gave both Lake Compounce and Quassy time to plan for the changes to their fall schedules. "We weren't surprised to see Quassy start a Halloween event," Winters said. "They have additional land to operate it and we look forward to seeing what they do — what twist they put on it." CT theme parks compete for fall business with new Halloween-related offerings Lake Compounce's targeted customer base is families. Lake Compounce's wooden roller coaster welcomes guests. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED In an effort to boost attendance and make up for lost revenues from the pandemic, Bristol theme park Lake Compounce is launching a new family-friendly fall event. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED

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