Have you ever wished you could go back in time and relive the days when summers seemed endless? Well, if you grew up near Saco, Maine, there’s a good chance your endless summer as a kid included visits to Cascade Water and the amusement park. Long before it became the mega attraction known as Funtown Splashtown USA, this local gem was the place to go for thrilling rides and water-soaked fun.
I remember visiting Cascade every summer as a child. It was one of the best things he’d hoped to do during what seemed like endless summer vacations from school. It’s pretty crazy to think that it appeared on the scene back in 1982, thanks to Andre Dallaire, who transformed the old Marvel Drive-In into a giant water park. It is quite nostalgic to visit today, as there are certain slides and pools that remain the same.
The Cormier family
The Cormier family
I also remember the Thunder Bolt water slide (not to be confused with the ride next door at Funtown). You had a plexiglass sled that you needed to climb up a couple flights of stairs. When I was 8 or 9 years old, I looked like I weighed 100 pounds. The attraction has since been transformed into a similar slide called Amphrimite’s Challenge, which no longer requires young children to perform what at the time seemed like manual labor.
Now let’s fast forward to 1996, when Ken Cormier, the owner of Funtown USA, decided to turn things up a notch. He purchased Cascade and merged it with Funtown, creating the fun powerhouse he aptly named Funtown Splashtown USA. This brilliant combination meant that visitors could enjoy the best of both worlds.
Ken sadly passed away in 2013. He is pictured below with his widow, Violet, who is still actively involved in Funtown Splashtown USA.
The Cormier family
The Cormier family
Over the years, it has continued to grow, adding new attractions that keep the spirit of summer alive. You may remember the massive expansion in 2007 when the park introduced the Mammoth and Tornado slides.
Today, Funtown Splashtown USA stands as a nostalgic yet evolving destination where kids of all ages (including big kids like me) create lasting memories. For me, it is a place that will always take me back to my childhood.
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Gallery credit: Megan
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