Volume 3, No. 4. February 28, 2003
Hug
and song
Two summers ago
on a visit to Idlewild Amusement Park in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, I sent my two
sons, then ages 14 and 12, out to play in the park while I produced that week’s
issue of THE LOOP. I made one demand of Ian, my youngest: he must ride Mr.
Rogers’ Neighborhood. Ian was even then saying he wanted to be a ride
designer when he grew up, and I thought he should therefore experience the perfect
amusement park ride.
How is it perfect? Sure, it’s a corny tale told by stilted animatronics
to passengers on a plodding trolley. Yet, every trolley concludes its route
with every passenger—pairs of parents and children—loudly reciting
“Come along, come along, to the Hug and Sing-along,” the ride's repeated
refrain. For its targeted audience, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood always delivers,
and every passenger disembarks with an experience indelibly imprinted in their
reminiscence. Furthermore, that experience is inevitably shared with a loved
one, be it a child, grandchild, or spouse. When Ian returned to the park office
I looked at him and said, “Well?” This too-cool-for-school teen shook
his head and merely said, “Come along, come along, to the hug and sing-along.”
Fred Rogers, who died Thursday at the age of 74, played an active role in the
design of the only amusement park ride in the world gleaned off his show, “Mister
Rogers’ Neighborhood,” that has run on American television for 40
years. A native of nearby Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Mr. Rogers expressed fond memories
of the amusement grove he visited as a child. He chose to put his ride there
not only out of loyalty but because he felt the quiet, family-oriented Idlewild
was the best match for "Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood," a children’s
show that stood out among the rest for its slow pace, comforting tone and persistent
message of brotherhood.
Rogers died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania after a brief battle with stomach cancer,
according to news reports. His last public appearance was January 1 when he
served as a Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.
In that parade the car in which he rode with Bill Cosby and Art Linkletter traveled
behind the Give Kids The World float.
Our industry has lost a friend, a partner, an inspirer.
THE LOOP is written and produced by Eric Minton, Minton Enterprises, LLC. To see more examples of Eric Minton's work and Minton Enterprises services, visit www.ericminton.com.
©2003, Minton Enterprises
LLC
All rights reserved