Funland amusement park at the Idaho Falls Zoo will hold its grand reopening this weekend as part of its Memorial Day celebration.
The event includes the opening of the brand-new log hut cafe which will offer food and drinks during Funland and zoo hours, and customers won't need park tickets to eat there.
The amusement park also features five rides, including a ferris wheel and carousel.
"This year, everything is full on," says Hayli Egbert, public information officer for the city of Idaho Falls. "We are ready to go, so it's kind of an exciting year. In a way it's new even though it’s open. There are really great plans to add to it, too. It's great now and it's going to get even better."
Funland, located in Tautphaus Park, along with the Idaho Falls Zoo, is a vintage amusement park originally built in 1947. The building that houses the new cafe has been standing since its construction during the Great Depression.
The Idaho Falls Zoo runs Funland, which is completely powered by donations. The largest donation to make the reopening possible came from the CHC Foundation, which donated around $145,000.
"These incredible groups really care about making these places nice and accessible to the public and enjoyed by the public," Egbert said. "These [donations] are all from people who are very passionate and really care about their community. These vital community members make these experiences and these spaces enjoyable for everyone."
With new foundations under the rides and several features being repaired and revamped, Funland is excited to open its doors to the whole community.
"It really is a nostalgic, timeless experience," Egbert said. "It's a way that we can get off our screens and get back together with one another and really reconnect and have some fun. It's fun at Funland."
The grand reopening is Saturday at noon. Egbert says all animals at the zoo should be able to come out during evening hours by this weekend. Zookeeper chats and exploration stations will also begin, allowing families to learn more about the zoo and its animals.
For more information about tickets and hours of operation for both Funland and the Idaho Falls Zoo, go to the city of Idaho Falls’ website or follow the Idaho Falls Zoo on Facebook.