Question about Hersheypark...

Hey everyone. I have a question about Hersheypark that's been on my mind as of late. I was watching the Alveys video for 2000 and noticed at Hersheypark there seemed to be Amish or what looked to be Amish people on some of the coasters. Has anyone ever seen any Amish people at Hersheypark or any of the other local parks in the area? Do they ride coasters? You would think that Amish people wouldn't ride because of the their beliefs, but I really don't know too much about the Amish way of life so I was curious. This isn't meant to be disparaging to Amish people, I'm just curious. By the way, the video that the Alvey's put out is great, if anyone doesn't know about it. Anyways, thanks in advance for answering my somewhat off-the-wall question. Peace. :)

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Medusa at Marine World: the best coaster in the west!

At the hockey games at Hershey there is one guy that comes quite often that looks Amish. It is often not unusual to see younger (teens) Amish appearing kids there. Years ago when the cow boy hats were in style ("Dallas" / "Urban Cowboy" era), the guys would sometimes wear their black hats into the arena, but curl up the sides to make them look more "western".

In my home town in York County PA, there was an Amish family. They had the traditional horse and buggy, but in bad weather a friend of theirs would pick them up in his black car.

There are different orders of Amish. There are also some other groups (Some of the more strict Menonites for example) that can "look Amish" too.

So, you probably saw what you thought you saw, but it is pretty safe to say that they probably were not "Old Order" (the strictest Order) Amish... quite possibly from one of the other groups that many outside of the area have lumped together as the "Pennsylvania Dutch" or "Plain People."

If I messed up on any of this, my appologies.

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I'm here for the Coasters. If I want themeing I go to the movies.





*** This post was edited by SLFAKE on 5/10/2001. *** *** This post was edited by SLFAKE on 5/10/2001. ***

I've Seen ALOT of Amish Types at C.P. Before I'm glad the can let their bonnets down for a while and enjoy themselves at at amusement parks

My parents-in-law live in Holmes County, Ohio, which is the heart of the American Amish community. It is weird some of the things they will do. For example, they will not have a phone in their house, but many have phone booths in their yards. Or, they won't have electricty in their homes, but they will own a restaurant with all modern amenities. Or, they will own a vacation home in Florida with electricty.

I'm sure there are many Amish who don't ride the line like that; I'm just telling you what I've heard from people who live up there. I also know that Amish teens don't "decide" to live Amish until they're 18, and until then they do things regular teens do: drive, drink, smoke, etc. It's a very strange way to live, but they do live in some beautiful areas...and make some great food!

Trivia note: Holmes County, Ohio, is Ohio's second-largest attraction for tourists, behind...you guessed it...Cedar Point.

In Lancaster County PA (just south of Hershey), you don't see phone booths in yards, but phones in barns are not un heard of.

Basically, even some of the strictest Amish have electricity in their barns. They can have all of the "old fashioned" cows they want in their barns, but with all of the regulations today, they need at least some modern equipment (mainly refrigeration etc) to process the milk.

Quite a few of the younger Amish have access to cars that they will keep in someones garage somewhere. Either one of two things will happen then. This will only be a phase and they will eventually go back to their "plain" life style when they get older, or they will leave the order and go out among the "worldly."

I believe the only coaster that I heard of with an "Amish" or at least PA.Dutch "theme" (and that was in name only) was Dorney's old Zyklon (or was it a Galaxi or Wildcat?). It was named the Flying Dutchman (probably had a PA dutch connection... doubt if it was named for the famed ghost ship of that same name.)

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I'm here for the Coasters. If I want themeing I go to the movies.

Yes, I have seen the Amish at HP.

I have actually seen Amish at quite a few different parks, including CP, Kennywood, and HP.

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Thank you for riding America's Roller Coast

Thanks everyone! That's really interesting to me, I always thought that the Amish weren't really allowed to do much. The fact that they go to amusement parks is cool. I wonder if this is a recent trend within Amish communities or if they have always gone to parks. Anyways, thanks for all the info. Peace. :)

It is perfectly normal to see the Amish at Hershey. I can't say that I have actually seen the Amish on rollercoasters, but I wouldn't be completely shocked.

The rules of the Amish way of life are very convoluted and different in each community. The details of the rules are often the subject of great debate within the community.

One example that might apply to coasters. While the Amish are not allowed to drive cars. they are allowed to ride in motor vehicles. They ride buses, and those who work in the construction trades hire one non-Amish worker to drive them in a car to distant construction sites. By this logic it would seem that they could ride coasters, but could not operate them.