Trimper's Rides

Trimper Rides Of Ocean City is a historic amusement park located near the inlet at South First Street and the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, United States. It was founded in 1893 as The Windsor Resort. It is located at the south end of the boardwalk and consists of three outdoor lots as well as an indoor section.

History

Daniel B. Trimper and his wife, Margaret, arrived in Ocean City in 1890. By 1893, they were owners of boardwalk property between South Division and South First Streets, including two hotels: The Eastern Shore and the Sea Bright.

Rebuilding the Sea Bright in 1900 following a severe storm, the Trimpers modelled the new structure after Great Britain's Windsor Castle. The two hotels, together with a theater and an amusement park, thus became known as Windsor Resort.

A 1912 purchase also adds to the historic significance of Trimper's Rides. It was that year that Daniel Trimper purchased a massive carousel from the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, NY. It was 50 feet in diameter with a uniqueness derived from the only other carousel made by the firm at that time having been sent to Coney Island, and that one was later destroyed by fire.

The carousel's 45 animals, three chariots, and one rocking chair were driven by a steam engine, with rides originally costing a nickel. One-hundred years later, the ride (now electrified) costs four tickets, or $2.00. Classified as one of the oldest still operating carousels in the nation, the carousel includes a standing and jumping menagerie of standing and jumping horses, a mule, a zebra, a cat, a dog, a pig, a frog, a rooster, a rabbit, a deer, a lion, a tiger, an ostrich, a camel, a giraffe, and a dragon.

Over the years, the Trimpers added numerous rides, several of which offer historic significance such as a kiddie carousel which is smaller and dates to the 1920s, as does a kiddie ferris wheel. All the rides are kept in working condition.

In the 1950s, the Trimper family added outdoor rides. The pace of expansion has increased since the mid-1960s, with a new ride being added nearly year after year. The most popular ride in the outdoor park was bought in 1985: the triple loop boomerang "Tidal Wave" roller coaster. Other action favorites, among the 35 or more rides in the park, are the Rock & Roll Matterhorn and Himalaya, although parents with smaller children like the ones they can ride together, such as the colorful Balloon ride. The many games have their aficionados, as well, with stuffed animal prizes awarded to the winners at Frog Bog and Whac-A-Mole.

Trimper's seven children and their descendants have also played roles in Ocean City's political life and other businesses. Trimper's son, Daniel, Jr., managed Windsor Resort Corporation after his father's death, and served as Mayor of Ocean City for 16 years. In 1965, WWII veteran, Daniel Trimper III, was handed leadership of the park and nearly doubled its size with the purchase of the land and attractions of Melvin Amusements. In 1964, Granville Trimper teamed up with Bill Tracy to create the Haunted House with scare technology and novel artistry that is Tracy's signature style. Five years later, John and Maria Bilious wire hired to restore the cherished Herschell-Spillman Carousel to its formal glory. The last big change of the park for decades to come was the addition of Tidal Wave. Dan Trimper III ran a profitable amusement park until 1981 when he retired. After Dan Trimper III retired, his cousin Granville Trimper and family took over the day-to-day operations until 2020.

The Rides

The Indoor Area contains most of the rides for younger kids. It plays host to a collection of vintage amusement park memorabilia and paraphernalia, ranging from antique ticket booths, to operating antique rides. The main attractions inside this part of the building are:

* A large collection of operating vintage William F. Mangels kiddie rides
* A circa 1912 Herschell-Spillman Carousel with a menagerie of horses, a zebra, a dragon, a rooster, and other animals plus three chariots
* A Bumper Car ride
* A Shooting Gallery

The three outdoor areas, are where most of the major rides are located.

Some of the outdoor rides for the 2023 season are:
* Balloons
* Endeavor
* Fun Slide
* Himalaya
* Rock N Roll
* Spinning Coaster
* Tea Cups
* "The Tidal Wave", a tall looping roller coaster
* Tilt A Whirl

Trimper’s also has 2 attractions accessible from the outside:
* Mirror Maze
* "Pirate's Cove", a Bill Tracy designed walk-through fun house; one of only two left in the world

Former Rides

* Area 51 (2021-2022)
* Aladdin’s Lamp (Retired, 2018)
* Crazy Cabs (2020)
* Super Shot (2020)
* Sling Shot (2007)
* Freak Out (Retired 2019)
* Fun Slide (2020) A new one currently operates at the park.
* Hangten (2020)
* Inverter
* Kid's Swings (2022)
* Magic Maze (2022)
* Magnum (2021-2022)
* OC Big Wheel (2020-2022)
* Rockstar (Retired 2019)
* Rock-O-Plane
* Rockin Tug
* Round Up (2020)
* Scrambler (Retired 2019)
* Techno Power (2021-2022)
* Tilt-A-Whirl (Retired 2019) A new one currently operates in the park.
* Toboggan (Retired 2009)
* Wacky Worm (Retired 2019)
* Yo-Yo (2022)
* Wild Mouse
* Zipper (Retired 2019)

Inlet Marketplace

Beginning In 2021, Trimper Rides began construction on an outdoor food hall. Once complete, Trimper Rides plans to hold many restaurants, including a Bar & Grill.

This isn’t the first food concept for Trimper Rides. They previously owned/leased space to: The Red Apple, Jessica’s Fudge House, A Chick-Fil-A Food Trailer, Nana’s Hot Chicken, Smoked BBQ, smoked. On The Boards, and Sticky Fingers.

Trimper Rides currently owns Trimper Treats, Trimper Sweets, and Trimper Carousel Corner, which all opened in 2022.

Arcades

Trimper Rides owns Marty’s Playland, which is an arcade on The Ocean City Boardwalk. Marty’s Playland is known to be a popular arcade featuring Skee Ball, Claw Machines, and more.

During 2021, Trimper Rides also owned another arcade on the boardwalk, which is now permanently closed, named Boardwalk Games.

Events

During the 2020 Season, Trimper Rides added new events to help bring people into the park. Some of these included karaoke nights, DJ nights, car shows, bike shows & more.

During Halloween, Trimper Rides had a children’s hay maze, hay rides, face paintings and costume contests.

Trimper Rides has an event room for birthday parties, meetings, corporate parties, and more!

In 2020 and 2021, Trimper Rides held a Weekly Farmers Market during the season on Fridays from 9am-12pm. As of 2022, they have discontinued the Farmer's Market.

In 2021, Trimper Rides Hosted a Winter Carnival With Local Vendors, Discounted Select Rides, And Games.

Further reading

References

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Amusement parks in Maryland
Buildings and structures in Worcester County, Maryland
1893 establishments in Maryland
Tourist attractions in Worcester County, Maryland
Ocean City, Maryland