Scott And Carol Present -The IAPPA 2014 Hall of Fame and Applause Awards

IAAPA inducted two of its legendary industry veterans into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. Bob Cassata, creator of Bob’s Space Racers, and Dick Knoebel, recently retired from Knoebels Grove.

Bob Cassata created his first game in on the Daytona Beach Boardwalk but he named his company after the first Apollo Lunar Mission. He has continued to develop games, the embedded diagnostic and accounting software, but most important thing they had in common is that they are fun to play. He improved the reputation of game operations, and his games were the first to be installed in an amusement park.

Richard “Dick” Knoebel grew up in the amusement business. His parents established Knoebels Grove in 1926, and until his retirement, Dick never left the business. He has created living history by moving famous rides, like the Rocket from Texas, recreating the Twister from Colorado, and most recently, the Flying Turns. Knoebels Grove is a living amusement history park where you can still grab the brass ring, and walk through the woods on a gravel path in the shade. Good fun and good food are the hallmark of this eastern Pennsylvania park, and the next generation is continuing the legacy. 

The French theme park Puy du Fou is the recipient of the 2014 Applause Award, presented by Liseberg. Puy du Fou has created a new business model, consisting only of extravagant shows based on French history.  For daring creativity, this park has no peers, for everyone thought they could not prosper with this type of entertainment offering. Instead, they are expanding into new countries, and doing it their way.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.