After more than five decades of operation, Fiesta Village Family Fun Park in Colton, California, is closing its doors. The amusement park, a longstanding recreational hub in the Inland Empire, announced on Tuesday that it will remain open through this weekend for a final public celebration before permanently shutting down.

Fiesta Village first opened in 1974, initially offering attractions such as mini golf, waterslides, and go-karts. Since acquiring the park in 2002, owner Michelle O’Brien, alongside her husband Patrick, expanded the venue’s offerings by adding rides like the Scrambler and Tilt-a-Whirl, as well as facilities for laser tag and roller skating. In a statement, the park acknowledged its role as a gathering place for families and friends over the decades, emphasizing the difficulty involved in the decision to close.

O’Brien cited rising operational costs and a decline in attendance as key factors prompting the shutdown. The broader theme park industry in California has faced significant challenges since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, including rising expenses and decreased tourism, which have contributed to financial strain. For example, California’s Great America, located in Silicon Valley and operated by Six Flags Entertainment, recently reduced its workforce and shortened its operating season. Major parks, including Disneyland in Anaheim, have also reported slight drops in attendance; Disney attributed a 1% decline in U.S. theme park visitors to a continued slowdown in international tourism. In response, Disneyland has introduced $71 tickets to attract more local guests.

Industry experts highlight the challenges smaller parks like Fiesta Village face in competing with larger, well-funded competitors. Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, a consulting firm, noted that escalating costs for essentials such as food, along with technological advancements in rides and attractions, put pressure on smaller operations. Proximity to major destinations like Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland further exacerbates competition. “Big attractions are very expensive propositions for parks to put in, and parks like Fiesta Village can’t keep up with that,” Speigel said. He added that in the current economic climate, the industry as a whole is likely to experience little to no growth.

Following the final public events on Friday and Saturday, Fiesta Village will host a private gathering on Sunday before closing permanently. The future of the park’s property remains uncertain. The company expressed gratitude to patrons in its closing statement, thanking families for making Fiesta Village a part of their traditions and memories over the years.