What goes around comes around
Defying tough times, local amusement park entrepreneur roars back with new Junior Speedway
The Daily Mail
Sept. 2, 2009

A popular Cairo attraction reopened this summer and as the season winds down, its owner is already thinking of next year.

Dave Osborn, the long-time owner of the Carson City theme park and resort, brought Junior Speedway, on Route 32, in Cairo back to life this July. The park, which has been closed for a few years, offers a number of new attractions and has been host to many community events, camp outings and parties.

Osborn said he and staff spent more than 18 hours a day for three months readying the park for operation.

“We had so much work to do,” he said.

Work included upgrades to the park’s office and snack bar as well as the installation of a Ferris wheel, a children’s train ride and inflatable bouncing games. The park also features a go-kart track, swing rides and a miniature golf course.

Osborn said the Ferris wheel, go-karts and a “water wars” balloon toss with slingshots have been very popular with the summer’s visitors.

He said area residents and vacationers have constantly trickled in — a good turnout for a first year, especially during an economic downturn, Osborn said — with many visitors arriving from the region’s many resorts.

One day, he said, about 200 children from a nearby camp arrived wanting to play every game during just a two hour stay.

“That wasn’t easy,” he said with a laugh.

Osborn said he has heard many times that people are happy that the speedway has returned.

Visitors enjoying the afternoon Tuesday said the same.

Elana Butler, of Brooklyn, said the nearest place devoted to children’s activities is in Saugerties, a longer trip from her family’s vacation spot in Tannersville.

Cynthia Abrams, a long-time area resident, agreed, which is why she chose to bring her family to the park to celebrate her grandson’s birthday.

She said children need more types of attractions that the speedway provides.

“What better place can they be taken to,” she asked of her family’s children.

This summer, Osborn has been open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day and has hosted a 1950s car show and karaoke every Saturday night.

After area schools open again, the speedway will cut back its hours to Thursday and Friday nights and full weekend days.

Osborn, who also owns an entertainment company, visits trade shows every year and has been working on ideas to make next season even more exciting.

He plans to add two new attractions, one that has already won the approval of his 11-year-old daughter.

More than 30 years after Osborn took over Carson City, in 1978, he still sticks to his plan for success of rising early, working hard and advertising.

“I don’t feel I work anymore. I love it,” he said.