Adventureland celebrates grand reopening for the summer season

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After 531 days of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of Long Island families came out to enjoy the momentous return of Adventureland.

The Farmingdale amusement park held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this afternoon to mark its official grand reopening for summer.

Brothers Steven and Paul Gentile, owners of the park, were both ecstatic to welcome back Long Islanders and to see so much enjoyment after a difficult year.

“It’s such a relief,” Paul said. “It’s a fun time and it’s nice to see some smiling faces on the rides, and on the employees as well.”

Adventureland reopened its doors on April 10 after over a year of being closed.

“No one can understand what that feeling was,” Steven said. “It was a very emotional day to have people coming back after a horrible year — we didn’t realize what we meant to Long Island until the pandemic hit.”

Some new additions to the Long Island fun park include the Sports Tower ride that allows riders to soar over 60 feet in the air.

Alfie’s Glo-Up is a new Midway outdoor water game and four new arcade games are included in the season’s line-up as well.

Fried Oreos, mac and cheese, and pulled pork sandwiches are some new menu items. Alcoholic beverages, like beer and seltzers, are now being served at Tony’s Tavern in the park.

Members of the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce and several elected officials attended the celebration, all reminiscing on their childhood memories of Adventureland and why the park holds a special place in people’s hearts.

“There will be summer this year for the families because of Adventureland,” said New York State senator John Brooks.

Scroll down for photos of today’s grand opening celebration at Adventureland, located at 2245 Broadhollow Rd. in Farmingdale.