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
Lost Parks, Episode 3: “Manteca Waterslides”

I am proud today to release our third episode in the “Lost Parks of Northern California” series, focusing on the “famous” Manteca Waterslides!
Learn how the modern water slide was born just off of Highway 120 in Manteca, where you can still go to experience pieces of the park today and why people still call the chamber of commerce, asking about the slides…nine years after the park closed for good.
This was on all accounts – the most difficult video we have produced thus far. The technical aspects alone were enough to make both myself and my producer, Nicholas Laschkewitsch throw a fit. But, we persevered – and are proud to show you our work of the past few months.
“The Lost Parks of Northern California” is produced in association with the American Coaster Enthusiasts, Northern California region. Learn more about them at: www.acenorcal.org
September 26, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park review, anthony bourdain, boomerang bay, california's great america, califronia, destination america, discovery channel, gopro, great america, great american thrills, history, huell hoswer, indigo films, jupiter productions, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, leftfield producitons, manteca, manteca waterslides, new host, new talent, nicholas laschkewitsch, norcal, northern california, POV, roller coaster, roller coaster expert, santa clara, the next huell howser, theme park review, travel, travel channel, travelogue, water slides, waterslide | Comments Off on Lost Parks, Episode 3: “Manteca Waterslides”
Lost Parks Episode 3 – Manteca Waterslides Preview

Debuting September, 2013!
If you lived in Northern California odds are you remember this water park not just because they were a technological marvel of their day – but because of their catchy ad jingles. So, “Slip away today and leave your cares behind – they’re the world’s greatest, so come and ride…the Manteca Waterslides!” (1974-2004).
August 23, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: ACE, american coaster enthusiasts, amusement park review, budge brown, defunct parks, gopro, great american thrills, great wolf lodge, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, manteca, manteca waterslides, new tv concept, nicholas laschkewitsch, oakwood lake, theme park review, tv show preview, water slides, waterslides | Comments Off on Lost Parks Episode 3 – Manteca Waterslides Preview
The Amazing People Behind the Scenes of “Lost Parks”

The forthcoming episode of the Lost Parks of Northern California was easily our most complicated – and yet it will be our most beautiful, too. But it’s not just me that makes it look good – it’s three talented individuals, Taylor Evans, Robert Ingle and Nicholas Laschkewitsch that make it (and me) look so good.
In addition – what you may not know – is that we’re not making any money on the project. In fact, we lose money on each and every shoot, whether from travel expenses, to material from historical societies – it all costs money. But, we think bringing these parks back to life is more about expanding our skills and more importantly, reclaiming our amusement heritage.

Without these folks behind the scenes, I wouldn’t be able to complete this series! Photo by Ace Northern California, used with permission.
In addition, this upcoming episode would not have been possible without the efforts of the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Manteca, Debbie Moorhead. Without her connections, we would have never been able to get permission to film at the slides final resting place. In addition, her interview at the Chamber of Commerce was just spectacular and was full of incredible information…

Wrapping up the interview with Mayor Pro Tem, Debbie Moorhead. Photo by ACE Northern California, used with permission.
I knew working on this series would mean making connections to make it all work – I just didn’t think it would be so much fun to do it!

Producer Nicholas and I with our new favorite tool, a ProAm USA DVC 60 camera crane. Thank you Facebook contests! Photo by ACE Northern California, used with permission.
Now, we jest need some production companies to sit up and start taking notice! C’mon guys, let’s hear from you sooner than later!
August 13, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production | Tags: amusement park review, behind the scenes, camera crane, closed, debbie moorhead, defunct parks, destination america, discovery channel, filmmakers, great american thrills, Huell Howser, indie filmmakers, jib, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lost parks, manteca, manteca chamber of commerce, manteca waterslides, new concet, new host, new talent, nicholas laschkewitsch, proam usa, robert ingle, taylor evans, television production, the next huell howser, theme park review, travel channel, waterslides | Comments Off on The Amazing People Behind the Scenes of “Lost Parks”
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…