Skip to main content
Lakeside entrance sign

LAKESIDE: 66 YEARS OF FUN IN THE SUN

Winner for "Best Documentary" at the 2017 Virginia Association of Broadcasters Awards
and a Videographer Award of Excellence

The sound of a roller coaster flying down the tracks, screams and squeals of delight, blinking lights, and cotton candy. Those are but a few of the things that immediately come to mind when thinking about a visit to Lakeside Amusement Park.

It has been more than 30 years since Lakeside Amusement Park turned off the lights and closed the gates, yet many still remember their time there fondly. What began as a 2 million gallon pool in 1920’s, eventually became an amusement park with a variety of rides and games along with concerts from the likes of Conway Twitty, Rick Nelson and many more.

This Blue Ridge PBS documentary takes a look back at Lakeside Amusement Park through the years. Included are memories from those who worked there in the 1940s, members of the Roberts family who owned the park the longest, Bill Anderson who performed at the park several times, and more!

Special thanks to the Roberts Family. Thank you also to those who helped to make this program possible by sharing their photos, video and more: Salem Museum & Salem Historical Society; Virginia Room, Roanoke City Public Library; George Emery Wade Postcard Collection, Roanoke College Archives, Salem, VA.; The Roanoker Magazine; Macados; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications, City of Salem; Tommy Firebaugh; Warren Moorman; Steve Nelson; Mr. & Mrs. Dan Wirt; WDBJ-7; and University of Virginia Library WSLS-TV News Film Collection.

****************************************************************************

Add the documentary to your video collection!
When you make a pledge at the $60 level,
we'll send you the DVD or Blu-ray of the documentary as our way of saying thank you.

For pledges of $60 or more, you'll be able to access this documentary and more online with Blue Ridge PBS Passport!

Also available are Limited Edition Beach Towels and Tote Bags.
Call 866-624-8366 or make a pledge online.