No new rides for Lagoon in 2010

FARMINGTON — The weak economy has finally caught up to Lagoon amusement park.

For the first time in 17 years, Lagoon won't have a new ride to unveil when it opens this spring.

"We do not expect to have a new ride this year," Lagoon spokesman Dick Andrew said Monday.

"A lot of it is the economy."

Lagoon has boasted at least one new ride each season since 1994, when the Hydro Luge premiered. In the park's past 40 years, it has featured a new ride in all but eight of those seasons.

Despite the lack of a new ride, Andrew said Lagoon is finalizing a couple of new entertainment shows for the summer season. While nothing has been booked yet, he said, Lagoon officials have high hopes that the new shows will add some sparkle.

Rumors abound that the new shows might hail from Las Vegas, but Andrew said he could not confirm that.

He said the new shows would be of the caliber of some of Lagoon's best-known entertainment offerings of past years, like the International High Diving Show in 1992 or the Sea Lion Show in 1988.

Rumors also abound that Lagoon is still hoping to have another major, high-thrill roller coaster open in the 2011 season.

All Andrew would say was that Lagoon does hope to have a new big ride opening next year.

Lagoon will open for weekends Saturday, April 3, weather permitting.

For more information, go to www.lagoonpark.com.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com