Merced’s Kiddieland set to open for 68th year with free ride day
Rides have been checked, murals painted, flowers planted and the snack shack stocked by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced and other volunteers during the past few weeks as they put on the finishing touches for the opening day of Kiddieland.
On Saturday, the children’s amusement park located in Applegate Park, will kickoff its 68th year in Merced with a free day of rides with sponsorship from First 5 Merced County, which is also hosting a Week of the Young Child celebration the park on Saturday.
Both events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kiddieland will be open Saturdays and Sundays through October.
“Once you’re hooked into Kiddieland, it’s the best, joyful experience, knowing that you’re bringing an affordable, safe amusement park experience to the community of Merced,” said Karen Adams, Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced president, who has been involved with Kiddieland for 23 years.
Kiddieland features five rides, including a carousel, Go Gator Roller Coaster, Rocket Ride, Car Ride and Helicopter Ride. Adams says the coaster has been enhanced with new seats and fresh paint.
After a Save the Train Fundraising campaign this winter generated over $1 million, Adams said Kiddieland hopes to construct a new train path and purchase a new train that will be available later this season.
The old Kiddieland train has been out of service due to poor track conditions since 2023.
First Five Merced County donated $628,000 toward the train project and another $253,000 was raised from a casino night fundraiser in January with Central Valley Opportunity Fund matching those funds.
New benches have also been added to the park through donations.
As much love as the community has shown toward Kiddieland with the donations for the new train, it’s been a tumultuous offseason with the park being vandalized multiple times.
One of the rockets from the rides was stolen during the past winter but was later recovered. The Helicopter Ride was recently vandalized when teenagers broke into the park and broke some of the propellers, which volunteers repaired.
Those incidents led the Kiwanis club to spend $17,000 on video security equipment and they will spend $300 a month for a security company to monitor the video footage.
“We’re hoping that that message gets out so we won’t have this continuous destruction on Kiddieland,” Adams said.
Adams says they want to keep ride ticket prices at 50 cents, but that won’t be possible if the park continues to be vandalized.
Celebration of the Young Child
Saturday’s opening also is special for those who cannot always afford to go places where they have to pay for part of their fun.
“There’s many in our community that come to Kiddieland who don’t have the financial resources, and that’s why it’s so important for these free days,” Adams said.
First 5 Merced County is also hosting a Week of the Young Child celebration event on Saturday. The festivities will be set up just outside of Kiddieland.
The Week of the Young Child has been celebrated nationwide since 1971, according to First 5 Merced County Executive Director Scott Waite. The event has been held in Merced for the past decade.
There will be a variety of activities for young children including face painters, balloon animal artists, bounce houses and other games.
“It’s exciting for the kids,” Waite said. “There’s a lot of great info and it’s a chance to have fun.”
According to Waite, about 1,250 people last year’s event. The first 800 in attendance will be treated to a free lunch.
There will be about 50 exhibitors with a focus on children ages 0 to 5 with information about preschool, reading, food banks, safety and other topics. First 5 Merced County is involved with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library so they will have a booth where kids can sign up with the program and receive books.
“I really enjoy getting to show kids different books and show parents and really encourage the love of reading,” Waite said.
With great weather expected this weekend, Adams is excited for both events and the start of a new season. Kiddieland will also host its 33rd annual Easter Egg Hunt at Applegate Park oat 9 a.m. April 19.
“I’m just tickled that we’re getting closer to everything,” she said. “We’re closer to our season, we’re closer breaking ground to bring that new train to Merced. It makes me smile to know that there’s an end.”
This story was originally published April 9, 2025 at 3:13 PM.
