Playland to Celebrate the Legendary Dragon Coaster’s 95th Birthday During the Year of the Dragon
Celebrate the the Year of the Dragon at Playland.
Playland is hosting a ‘beast of a bash’ this month as one of the nation’s most historic amusement parks and waterfront destinations prepares for two weekends of fun to commemorate the iconic Dragon Coaster’s 95th birthday on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21.
Leading up to the birthday weekend, from July 12 to 14 and on Friday, July 19, Playland will also feature a dragon crafts station, where young visitors can tap into their creative side and decorate individual art pieces that will be part of a large dragon’s body, complete with a 3D head, wings, tail and carried on poles – which will ultimately be part of Playland’s celebratory Dragon Parade on July 20 and 21.
Standing at 80 feet high with approximately 3,400 feet of track, the Dragon Coaster originally opened in 1929 and continues to thrill riders of all ages to this day. It is the only coaster designed by Frederick A. Church that remains in operation on the east coast. The wooden ride is also one of 48 coasters around the world recognized by the American Coaster Enthusiasts as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, a designation reserved for rides of historic significance.
The fire-breathing celebrations will feature a Dragon Parade at 4 pm on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, when entertainers on stilts and unicycles will lead kids in a dragon-shaped procession around the park while waving around commemorative dragon streamers. Throughout the day, face painters and airbrush tattoo artists will be available for dragon-themed face and body art, as well as special Kiddyland performances featuring Peter Michael Martin and performing aerialists.
Other festivities include Playland’s Summer Sounds Concert Series, presented by The Capitol Theatre, a stunning fireworks display on Friday and Saturday, relay races, boat races and so much more. In addition, the #PlaylandArt Dragon Contest winner, where Dragon Coaster fans were encouraged to create their own creative impressions of the ride earlier this year, will be announced.
For the Saturday celebrations on July 20, roundtrip ferry service will also be available from East 34th Street in Manhattan with a stop at 90th Street and Ferry Point Park in the Bronx. More information and the full ferry schedule can be found here.
The Dragon Coaster weekend celebration schedule includes:
Saturday, July 20, 2024
- 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm: Kiddyland shows featuring Peter Michael Martin
- 4 pm: Dragon Parade with kids and entertainers circling the park channeling their inner dragon coaster
- 7 pm: Summer Sounds Concert Series presented by The Capitol Theatre: Jacknife Lori 90’s Alt Rock Hits on the Main Stage
- 8:45 pm and 9 pm: Special pre-fireworks celebration to sing happy birthday to the Dragon Coaster, followed by fantastic fireworks at 9 pm
Sunday, July 21, 2024
- 1 pm: #PlaylandArt Dragon Contest winner announced
- 2 pm: Summer Sounds Concert Series presented by The Capitol Theatre: Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays The Music of Talking Heads For Kids on the Main Stage
- 3 pm, 4 pm and 5 pm: Kiddyland is one word shows featuring Ray Grins
- 3 pm to 4 pm: Boat Races
- 4 pm: Dragon Parade with kids and entertainers circling the park channeling their inner dragon coaster
- 4 pm to 5 pm: Relay Races
- 7 pm: Main Stage Variety Show with AJ Silver
Plus, there will be Dragon-themed face painting and air brush tattooing, aerialist performances, a fun bubble cart and more!
For more information about Playland including new events and initiatives, visit https://playland.com and follow Playland on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and LinkedIn.
