Farewell to Coney Island Cincinnati: A Day to Fondly Remember - Labor Day, September 6, 1971

The morning dawned clear and bright over Cincinnati on Labor Day 1971, as if the “Great Amusement Park God” in the sky signaled that this day would mark the end of an era. It was the final day of operation for Coney Island Cincinnati, the beloved Ohio amusement park that had delighted generations for 85 years. More than 41,000 people, a record-breaking crowd, poured through the gates to bid farewell to "America’s Finest Amusement Park." Remember Coney Cincy was an amusement park that Walt Disney made a friendship with when planning Disneyland in California, visiting many times for ideas.

I had a wonderful role that day. As Officer of the Day, I was tasked with ensuring everything ran smoothly, but the bittersweet excitement in the air was unmistakable. Early afternoon, I received an unexpected call. The Captain of the Delta Queen was on the line, requesting permission to dock at the Coney River gate. Management quickly approved the request, allowing the steamboat’s passengers to disembark and join in the historic final day.

Among the Delta Queen’s passengers was 92-year-old Homer Denny, a calliope player from the famed Island Queen, a predecessor of the Delta Queen, that had carried hundreds of thousands of visitors to Coney Island for years. Homer’s life story was a living testament to history—he had been aboard the Island Queen when it docked in Pittsburgh on 1947 and tragically exploded due to a welding accident. Now, on this historic last day, Homer had come to play his farewell tune at Coney Island.

That day, the park was a demonstration of joy and nostalgia. Families enjoyed the rides while visitors from both near and far shared stories of summers past and their enjoyment of this amazing Amusement Park. The weather was perfect, a fitting backdrop for the park's grand finale. As the sun dipped low, casting a terrific glow over the Ohio River, the Delta Queen prepared to depart. It was like a final scene from a Hollywood movie.

Homer Denny took his place at the Queen’s calliope. The notes of "Goodbye, My Coney Island Baby" floated through the air as the steamboat slowly backed away from the Coney dock. Standing on the riverbank was Coney Island’s ownership and senior management Ralph Wachs, Gary Wachs, and Ed McHale. We watched the Queen paddle into the distance, heading down river toward Cincinnati, its melody carrying over the air as the Delta Queen saw its final departure from Coney Island. Tears glistened in our eyes—silent witnesses to the end of an era that had existed for 85 years.

By nightfall, the park’s atmosphere shifted. Excitement peaked among the visitors as the Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks team prepared their farewell display. At precisely 10:00 PM, the night sky erupted in a cacophony of light and sound. For 15 breathtaking minutes, the fireworks illuminated the park, their colors reflecting in the river. This was not an ordinary fireworks display. Due to the long-standing family relationship between Coney and the Rozzi family, it was as if the world had stopped to watch, with the brilliance so overwhelming. The entire show was an amazing full finale! I turned to Ed McHale, Park Manager and said “My god, this feels like the end of the world”. He agreed. We had never seen this type of enormous display for a full show.

At 10:30 PM, it was time to “slow close” the park. I had the good fortune to blow the final whistle, signaling the official closure of Coney Island. Slowly, very slowly, the crowd began to disperse, taking several hours to empty the park. Families lingered, reluctant to leave behind the memories etched into their minds and every corner of this cherished place.

Coney Island was more than an amusement park; it was a cornerstone of the community. For me, it was a deeply personal day. This was where I began my career at just 13 years old, starting as a young worker filled with wonder and the magical excitement of the park. That humble youthful beginning set me on a path that has kept me a part of this wonderful industry for 65 years! It was there I learned the value of hard work, the joy of bringing smiles to others, and the irreplaceable sense of belonging to an amusement community that would guide my life.

Although Coney Island would continue to operate for decades as a picnic and swimming park, its glory days as America’s Finest Amusement Park had come to an end. In 2024, the last remnants of that golden era were erased when the park was totally sold to the Cincinnati Symphony. It was permanently closed and its iconic world class swimming pool was demolished. A sad day for Cincinnati.

Still, the memories remain, as vivid as the fireworks that lit up the night sky on that final day. Coney Island will always hold a special place in my heart, and Cincinnatians—a symbol of joy, community, and the fleeting magic of summers gone by. It wasn’t just a park, it was the foundation of a lifetime of memories, local and industry friendships, and a career I’ll always cherish. 🎶Goodbye My Coney Island Baby🎶.

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