Pera's Kiddieland

E.M. "Pop” and Martha Pera renamed their "Pera's Park" amusement-ride business to "Pera's Kiddieland” in 1955, reflecting the business potential of marketing to the baby-boom generation and the types of rides the park offered. Pop Pera was especially fond of the Allen Hershell rides, and the park's inventory included a Kiddie Car, wet-boat, pony-cart, Skyfighter, and three-abreast merry-go-round. The Kiddie Cars were modeled after the popular Hudsons and, at Kiddieland, named for places in Ashtabula County. The park's first ride was the Dodgem, installed in 1945. A power line ran from the Pera's Pier Ballroom to the Dodgem building; every time the ride powered up, the lights in the ballroom dimmed. Adult rides were added to Kiddieland in the late-1970s, and the park was renamed Erieview Park in 1980 to reflect renewed interest in marketing to a teenage audience. The rides were sold at auction in 2006; the park's Ferris wheel stayed at GOTL and operates during the summer months.

Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio · United States