Help Support Lost Parks of Northern California
Not sure what to give your loved one for Christmas this year?
Want to get that amusement park fanatic in your family the gift that says, “I understand how much you love parks!”
Looking to support a worthy cause in the process?
Then do we have the gift for you!
We’ve created several different cell phone back cover designs – all with our local lost parks in mind. From the shores of San Mateo, to the wintry scenes of Santa’s Village – you can be stylin’ and profilin’ with the most unique phone case out there.
The cases are good for regular duty, bumps and scrapes, and they currently are made for:
-iPhone 4/4s
-iPhone 5/5s
– Samsung Galaxy S3
– Samsung Galaxy s4
We’re offering these functional collectables for the introductory price of $20, plus shipping.You can’t find an awesome case for cheaper than that!
Plus, 100% of all proceeds from the sales of these covers goes directly to deferring the cost of the Lost Parks series.
As some of you know, we don’t make money off the series, but it still does cost money to produce. From gas to food, photo rights and tolls, it adds up quickly.
If you’re interested in purchasing or picking one up, please e-mail: kris@greatamericanthrills.net with your requests. We are currently working on a storefront, but are not quite ready to debut it just yet.
We take all forms of payment, including PayPal, credit cards and cash / check.
So, preserve the past by preserving your phone – get your official Lost Parks phone cover today!
December 8, 2013 | Categories: Amusement Parks | Tags: #lostparks, amusement park review, crowdsourcing, defunct parks, fundraising, great american thrills, Huell Howser, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost amusement parks, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, pacific city, san mateo, santa's village, theme park review, tv production | Comments Off on Help Support Lost Parks of Northern California
“Lost Parks” – Preserving History One Park at a Time
Part of the fun of doing the “Lost Parks” series, is knowing that we’re preserving history on film. That being said, we certainly didn’t think we were *THIS* close to losing one of our recent shoot locations:
http://www.scottsvalley.org/downloads/council/2013/11-20-13.Agenda.pdf
According to the latest Scotts Valley City Council meeting, the permit for building houses on the former Santa’s Village site has been changed – to add a demolition permit for the Polo barn (the last piece of the park still standing).
The Polo Barn also holds an incredible secret – we won’t give it away – but you should definitely check out our Santa’s Village episode when it debuts next month!
Apparently, they’re okay with demolishing a historic (albeit in rough shape) landmark in the process. Alternative plans include razing the building and building a replica, or having Lennar Homes (the developer) pay a one lump sum to the city in the amount of $1 million to allow to, “demolish and forget it.”
Thankfully, the Santa’s Village episode was able to capture this soon-to-be-gone structure – so it will be preserved foreever, despite the roar of the bulldozers.
November 22, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production, Theme Parks | Tags: amusement park, bay area proud, CA, demolition, great american thrills, historic landmark, history, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lennar homes, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, new show concept, new talent, polo barn, preserving history, roller coaster, santa's village, scotts valley, scotts valley city council, theme park, thrill ride, tv host, tv production | Comments Off on “Lost Parks” – Preserving History One Park at a Time
Documenting the Lost Parks of Northern California on NBC Bay Area
For those of you who missed the story that Garvin Thomas of NBC Bay Area, did of us, they’ve just posted the link (and article) online. We’ll try to embed the video here shortly, but until then…
You can find the article here, or copy/paste the link below:
November 15, 2013 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Lost Parks, Theme Parks | Tags: bay area proud, destination america, discovery channel, EMMY, garvin thomas, great american thrills, history, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, nbc, nbc bay area, nicholas laschkewitsch, San Francisco Bay Area, travel, travel channel | 2 Comments
Featured tonight on “Bay Area Proud” and NBC Bay Area
Bay Area residents – be sure to tune in this evening to NBC Bay Area (KNTV) at 5:00p.m., as you’ll get a behind the scenes look at our latest “Lost Parks” project, “Santa’s Village of Scotts Valley.”
If you’re not in the Bay Area, you can catch the segment here, once it’s posted online.
Garvin Thomas (Emmy award winning journalist) followed the whole Lost Parks crew for most of the day, to highlight the work we’re doing. For those who have not seen the show, “Each week NBC Bay Area’s Garvin Thomas profiles the people, the groups, and the companies making the Bay Area, and the world, a better place to live. Bay Area Proud stories are success stories; inspiring profiles of those making a positive change in our communities.”
Be sure to give him a like or follow to see many of his other uplighting stories and subjects. Even he had to admit, he has the best job in all of journalism – covering only positive stories.
Check out our video series here.
So, who’s inspired to go preserve a piece of history?
November 14, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production, Theme Parks | Tags: ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, andrew hansis, barbara lawson, Bay Area, bay area proud, CA, California, defunct parks, featured on, garvin thomas, great american thrills, Huell Howser, kntv, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost park, lost parks of northern california, macdorsa park, mushrooms, nbc, nbc bay area, newscast, nicholas laschkewitsch, Nor Cal, norcal, northern california, roller coaster, santa's village, scotts valley, the next huell howser | Comments Off on Featured tonight on “Bay Area Proud” and NBC Bay Area
“Lost Parks” Goes Vertical!
With every video we’ve produced so far in the “Lost Parks” series, we’ve aimed to add one piece of equipment to make them better than the previous episode. For instance, in the first three episodes, did you notice:
Pacific City – DLSR camera slider:
Luna Park – GoPro Hero 2:
Manteca Waterslides – Camera crane / jib:
And now, for our Santa’s Village episode, may we debut our latest addition…FLYING CAMERA DRONES!
Well, two to be precise, “Little Bird” and “Big Bird.” They’re proudly owned by Andrew Hansis, an ACE NorCal member, who couldn’t resist seeing what they could do for the Lost Parks series.
Turns out, it was a TON! Look for their shots in our latest episode – debuting December 9th, 2013!
For more info on the “Lost Parks” series – click here!
November 13, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: ACE, aerial footage, american coaster enthusiasts, behind the scenes, camera, camera crane, camera drone, drone, flying drone, go pro, gopro, great american thrills, jib, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, Nor Cal, norcal, northern california, santa's village, scotts valley, slider, tv production | 2 Comments
Thanks for the Follow, Destination America!
It’s always great to receive new followers on social media – but some, such as the one I received last evening, are very special!
Destination America is a partner channel with Discovery Communications, and would be a WONDERFUL place to have Great American Thrills show just how amazing our amusement parks are – (wink wink, nod nod) after all…we invented them!
I look forward to sharing my passion of amusement and theme parks with you, Destination America – in addition to my extensive knowledge of Talkeetna, AK ; ) Have you ever tried their pancakes?
November 3, 2013 | Categories: Social Media, Television Production | Tags: #lostparks, A&E, amusement park, amusement park review, cable network, destination america, discovery, discovery channel, discovery networks, gat, great american thrills, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, new host, new show concept, new talent, roller coaster, roller coaster expert, theme park, theme park review, travel, travel channel | Comments Off on Thanks for the Follow, Destination America!
San Mateo County History Museum Presentation a Success
For everyone who attended my “Lost Parks” history presentation at the San Mateo County History Museum last weekend – an immense THANK YOU is in order!
Over 60 of you attended the event (which was a VERY large crowd for these sorts of events, according to the museum staff). And the feedback we received was universally positive. If you’ve never been to this museum – the building itself is a piece of art, in addition to all of the exhibits!
If you missed the event – don’t despair – we’re already working on a video of the presentation, so you can attend “virtually.”
Remember, you can always help support Great American Thrills™ by liking and sharing our updates with your favorite cable channels social media pages – or just tell your friends about the work we’re doing!
October 30, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: #lostparks, ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, frontier village, great american thrills, Huell Howser, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, manteca waterslides, Nor Cal, norcal, northern california, pacific city, public speaker, san mateo county, san mateo county history museum, speaker series, thank you, the next huell howser | Comments Off on San Mateo County History Museum Presentation a Success
San Mateo County History Museum Presentation Tomorrow
Don’t forget!
Tomorrow afternoon is my “Lost Parks” presentation at the San Mateo County Museum.
The presentation starts promptly at 1:00pm – don’t be late!
Learn more here: http://www.historysmc.org/main.php?page=docket
October 25, 2013 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Lost Parks | Tags: #lostparks, ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park review, California, california history, frontier village, great american thrills, history, history presentation, Huell Howser, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, luna park, manteca waterslides, Nor Cal, norcal, pacific city, playland, playland-at-the-beach, presentation, san mateo county, san mateo county history museum, the next huell howser, theme park review | Comments Off on San Mateo County History Museum Presentation Tomorrow
“Lost Parks” featured in the San Francisco Examiner!
No, it’s not a broken record you’re hearing – I really am featured in / on a major news outlet for the second time this week!
This time, it’s the San Francisco Examiner, who were very kind to promote my “Lost Parks” presentation at the San Mateo County History Museum.
Let’s hope to keep this remarkable streak alive and continue to build awareness for the brand – feel free to share Great American Thrills with all your friends, family and favorite television stations / networks!
Read the article here:
Or copy / paste this link:
October 24, 2013 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Lost Parks, Theme Parks | Tags: #lostparks, ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park review, California, california history, coyote point, frontier village, great american thrills, history, history presentation, Huell Howser, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, luna park, manteca waterslides, mike rowe, Nor Cal, norcal, pacific city, playland, playland-at-the-beach, poo, presentation, san francisco chronicle, san francisco examiner, san mateo county, san mateo county history museum, san mateo history museum, the next huell howser, theme park review | Comments Off on “Lost Parks” featured in the San Francisco Examiner!
History Museum Presentation This Saturday
Planning your weekend already? Don’t forget about my “Lost Parks” presentation at the San Mateo County History Museum at 1:00pm this Saturday.
Join me as I take you back in time to five different defunct amusement parks from the greater Bay Area, as well as explain why our history is so important to preserve. In addition, you’ll see how you can still experience pieces of these long gone parks in our modern world. See you there!
Learn more, here: http://www.historysmc.org/main.php?page=docket
October 21, 2013 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Lost Parks | Tags: #lostparks, ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park review, California, california history, frontier village, great american thrills, history, history presentation, Huell Howser, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, luna park, manteca waterslides, Nor Cal, norcal, pacific city, playland, playland-at-the-beach, presentation, san mateo county, san mateo county history museum, the next huell howser, theme park review | Comments Off on History Museum Presentation This Saturday
YouTube Milestone Reached!
Over the weekend, I reached a YouTube milestone I thought worthy of sharing.
I have eclipsed over 30,000 views on the channel since it was launched back in April of 2012!
While it’s certainly tiny in comparison to, say other channels on YouTube, it’s still a milestone to reach, then continue to grow from – and that’s worth celebrating.
Thanks to everyone for their continued support and viewing – I look forward to creating even more engaging content over the next year and a half!
Add to the view count – check out my YouTube and Vimeo channels!
October 15, 2013 | Categories: Amusement Parks | Tags: great american thrills, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, milestone, Nor Cal, norcal, pov video, producer, production, roller coaster video, roller coaster videos, tv concept, views, YouTube | Comments Off on YouTube Milestone Reached!
We’re Presenting at the San Mateo County History Museum!
Great American Thrills is honored to announce that we’ve been selected as a presenter in the San Mateo County History Museum’s “Courthouse Docket” series, exploring the rich history of the region.
Come down on October 26th at 1:00pm and see “The Next Huell Howser” – aka Kris Rowberry – show you how you can still experience some of our bygone amusement parks…today!
Who knows, you just might learn something, too!
August 30, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: #lostparks, ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, courthouse docket, gat, great american thrills, history, history presentation, Huell Howser, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks of northern california, new host, new show idea, new talent, presentation, san mateo, san mateo county history, san mateo county history museum, the lost parks of northern california, the next huell howser | Comments Off on We’re Presenting at the San Mateo County History Museum!
How Can I Help with the “Lost Parks” Series?
We get this question fairly often in the ol’ e-mail box. The short answer – YES! YES YOU CAN HELP!
How? Well, that’s easy:
1.) Share your park experiences with us:
A souvenir, photo, home video or even just a story – part of the mystique of these lost parks is the strong memories they evoke. We’re always on the hunt for a visual way to tell the story of the parks we’re featuring.
2.) Share us with the World:
We’re big on social media – so we’d love to expand our reach. But that’s where YOU come in. If you see a post that you enjoy, here’s a few ways you can help out the “Lost Parks” project:
“Like,” comment on and share posts, photos and video on Facebook.
Retweet items from our Twitter accounts.
+1 things from Google Plus.
Post our videos on your own website via an embedded file.
Plus, we’re always looking for new partnerships, so feel free to shoot me an e-mail at kris.rowberry {at} gmail.com
Having trouble finding items on our social media feeds? Just use hashtag: “#lostparks” to find most of our work.
Tell your favorite cable channels (Discovery, Travel, Destination America, History) or local broadcast stations that these guys would make a great series for them via, their social media pages.
3.) Tell your friends:
Seriously, even in this uber-connected world we live in, word of mouth is still one of the best ways to get the word out on what we’re up to. Tell your friends, show your family – heck, you just might find a few memories come up in the process!
With just those three simple steps, you can help Lost Parks of Northern California grow by leaps and bounds. Who knows where it will lead us (but that’s part of the journey – so let’s ride!)
August 27, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, defunct parks, destination america, discovery channel, great american thrills, host, Huell Howser, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, local programming, lost parks #lostparks, lost parks of northern california, new talent, new tv host, new tv show, television host, the next huell howser, travel channel | Comments Off on How Can I Help with the “Lost Parks” Series?
Our Next Lost Park…
We’re hoping that by choosing this park, we just might bring summer back this year…it’s freezing in the Bay Area right now!
Well, you know it from it’s catchy jingle or if you ever drove through the Central Valley on the way to Yosemite or Sonora…
That’s right! We’re going back to the “famous” MANTECA WATERSLIDES!
(SKIP to 2:40 for the good stuff…)
August 6, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park, Bay Area, California, californias gold, central valley, defunct park, great american thrills, Huell Howser, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, ktvu, lost amusement park, lost parks of northern california, manteca, manteca waterslides, nicholas laschkewitsch, Nor Cal, northern california, summer, summer fun, the next huell howser, waterpark, waterslide, waterslides, woody and friends | Comments Off on Our Next Lost Park…
Season Pass Podcast Interview
We had the pleasure of being interviewed at the Gold Striker media day by the great Doug Barnes of “The Season Pass” podcast. Check out the interview about halfway through at the link below:
Can’t wait to talk up “Lost Parks” some more in the future, Doug!
iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-season-pass-the-essential/id268430539
Direct Link:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/seasonpasspodcast/The_Season_Pass_235.mp3
June 13, 2013 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Lost Parks, Television Production, Theme Parks | Tags: ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park review, california's great america, cedar fair, coaster radio, doug barnes, gold striker, great america, great american thrills, kris rowberry, kristoher rowberry, lost parks of northern california, media day, new ride, nicholas laschkewitsch, norcal, podcast, roger ross, roller coaster, roller coasters, the season pass podcast, theme park review, wooden roller coaster | Comments Off on Season Pass Podcast Interview