Playland Celebrates 95 Years Of The Iconic Dragon Coaster

RYE, NY — The Year of the Dragon makes it a perfect time to celebrate the Hudson Valley's most famous dragon.

2024 is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac and also the year Playland is celebrating the Dragon Coaster's 95th birthday.

At a height of 80 feet with nearly 3,400 feet of track, the Dragon Coaster first opened in 1929 and continues to be a favorite with park visitors from near and far. It is the only roller coaster designed by famed ride engineer Frederick A. Church that remains in operation on the east coast.

The wooden ride is also one of 48 coasters worldwide recognized by the American Coaster Enthusiasts as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark.

"The Dragon Coaster has been such a staple for generations of families, creating 95 years of thrilling memories that we wanted to recognize and celebrate this summer," Playland CEO Evonne Keeler said. "The Dragon Coaster is such an iconic part of Playland’s vibrant history as we continue to enhance the park as a thriving waterfront destination, and we are excited to embrace that history with Playland’s dragon-themed festivities that will delight guests of all ages all weekend long."

From July 12 to July 14, and on July 19, there will be a dragon crafts station for young visitors to use their creative energies to decorate individual art pieces that will eventually be part of a large dragon's body, complete with a 3D head, wings, and tail.

This dragon will be carried on poles during the Dragon Parade, which will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21. Entertainers on stilts and unicycles will lead children 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, along with a bubble cart, aerialist performances, and special Kiddyland performances featuring Peter Michael Martin.

Other festivities include Playland’s Summer Sounds Concert Series, presented by The Capitol Theatre, a fireworks display on Friday and Saturday, relay races and boat races.

In addition, the winner of the #PlaylandArt Dragon Contest, where Dragon Coaster fans created their own impressions of the ride earlier this year, will be announced.

The Dragon Coaster weekend celebration schedule includes:

Saturday, July 20, 2024

• 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.: Kiddyland shows with Peter Michael Martin
• 4 p.m.: Dragon Parade with kids and entertainers "circling the park channeling their inner dragon coaster."
• 7 p.m.: Summer Sounds Concert Series presented by The Capitol Theatre: Jacknife Lori 90's Alt Rock Hits on the Main Stage
• 8:45 p.m. and 9 p.m.: Special pre-fireworks celebration to sing "Happy Birthday" to the Dragon Coaster, followed by fireworks at 9 p.m.

Sunday, July 21, 2024

• 1 p.m.: #PlaylandArt Dragon Contest winner announced
• 2 p.m.: 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 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.: Kiddyland shows with Ray Grins
• 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Boat Races
• 4 p.m.: Dragon Parade with kids and entertainers "circling the park channeling their inner dragon coaster."
• 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Relay Races
• 7 p.m.: Main Stage Variety Show with AJ Silver

For more information, visit the Playland website, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter or Linked In.