![]() “I really need to recognize the employees past and present. “This is one of the rare times in my life that I am overwhelmed a little,” he said. Jenkins recognized dozens of other employees who have been with Jolly Roger for 15, 20, even 25 years or more. He specifically pointed out Margie McBain, who has been with the company for 47 years, and Mike Jones, who has overseen the operation for 40 years. Jenkins was somewhat taken aback by the praise for the park and his accomplishments and those of his crew, many of whom have been with him for decades. “Thanks for all of the memories you created.” “I spend the last 43 years of my life in this park and on that pier,” he said. It was a recurring theme throughout the ceremony. Senator Jim Mathias related the story of being a young businessman in the resort struggling to find his way after his father passed and how he went to Jenkins for guidance. “You had a vision few had back then and this park is a great asset for Ocean City, Worcester County and all of Maryland.” “Thank you on behalf of the County Commissioners,” he said. County Commission President Bud Church also read a proclamation into the record. Meehan read a proclamation and Ocean City Council Secretary Mary Knight presented Jenkins with a key to the city. When you look at what has evolved here, you can see why Ocean City is the best beach resort on the East Coast and that is exemplified here at Jolly Roger.” When you think of all the people who worked here and work here and all of the jobs created, it is a remarkable tribute. “This has been a wonderful park for generations. “This business has been thriving for 50 years because of Buddy Jenkins and his vision for this property,” he said. Splash Mountain this year was named the Best Small Waterpark in the country by Funworld Magazine, the amusement industry’s leading trade magazine.Īt Tuesday’s 50 th Anniversary celebration, Meehan acknowledged the accomplishment, calling Jenkins and his long-time staffers pioneers. Later, Splash Mountain, the crowning jewel of the ever-evolving Jolly Roger Park, began to develop. Today, Speed World hosts one the largest collections of go-carts and tracks in the country with 11 tracks and 400 cars. Most importantly, in the 1970s, Jolly Roger added the first go-cart track and planted the seeds for what would become Speed World. Over the next few decades, Jolly Roger became a full scale amusement park with a wide array of rides and attractions and even live shows, including the Flying Wallendas, the Royal Hanneford Circus and the Parker Playhouse. In 1974, Jenkins purchased the Ocean City Pier Company and after a multi-million dollar renovation to the historic pier at the Boardwalk near the Inlet, he opened the Pier Rides, which would become Jolly Roger at the Pier. The following year, 10 amusement rides were added and over the next several years, Jolly Roger became established as a major tourist destination. Jenkins purchased a franchise and in July 1964 opened the Arnold Palmer Putting Course and Driving Range on the site that now hosts Jolly Roger. Palmer, golf’s reigning king at the time, was developing driving ranges and miniature golf courses all over the country. In 1964, Jenkins, who owned a large parcel of bayside property in Ocean City, met with Arnold Palmer’s agent Mark McCormick about a potential project. Ocean City Mayor Rich Meehan, County Commission President Bud Church, Senator Jim Mathias, former Ocean City Mayor Roland “Fish” Powell and a veritable who’s who of local elected officials and dignitaries were hand to fete Jolly Roger’s 50 th anniversary on a sweltering afternoon at the iconic park. Owner and developer Charles “Buddy” Jenkins and his staff, many of whom have been with him for decades, on Tuesday hosted a 50 th anniversary celebration for the park. OCEAN CITY - Jolly Roger, the iconic amusement park at 30 th Street, celebrated decades of making lasting memories for generations of families on Tuesday with a special ceremony marking its 50 anniversary. We've got 1067 hotels you can choose from within just a mile of Jolly Roger Amusement Park.A then-and-now sequence of what the land where Jolly Roger Amusement Park is located looked like in 1964, left, and today. Where Can I Stay near Jolly Roger Amusement Park? If you're looking for things to do in the area, you may want to check out Ocean City Beach and Seacrets Distilling Company. ![]() It's in a walkable neighborhood well known for its bars and seaside. Jolly Roger Amusement Park is located in Midtown Ocean City.
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