Summer Scream returns to Lakeside Amusement Park for first time in 2 years with secret, immersive theme

Summer Scream, the annual fundraiser for Denver Film at Lakeside Amusement Park, is returning for the first time in two years with an all-new, immersive experience.

Not that it really needs it.

“It’s an all-you-can-ride, adults-only event at Lakeside with free drinks all night,” said Andrew Novick, who along with Chris Getzan designed this year’s still-secret theme. “What else do you want? But what we’re doing is making sure it’s memorable and unique, so we’re doing a lot with the long history of Lakeside, and adding some flair to things that people don’t tend to notice, but that have been there all along.”

That includes the art deco-styled ticket booths at the gorgeous, if scrappy, park. They’re still standing proud but have been empty for years. Novick and Getzan are also unearthing some of the park’s artifacts that haven’t been seen in decades — still being picked out by owner Rhoda Krasner — and highlighting other hidden gems.

Novick was tight-lipped about those features and other activities, except to say that people will be able to earn “some kind of wealth” throughout the night “to exchange for something at the end.” Think of it as a trip through time. (So specific, eh?)

The event returns to Lakeside, at 4601 Sheridan Blvd., from 6 to 11 p.m. on Aug. 25, having skipped the last two years due to the pandemic. Tickets for the 21-and-up, nonprofit fundraiser are on sale now, with early bird prices ($45 for Denver Film members, $55 for non-members) through July 17, after which they go up by $10 each. Four-pack tickets are $200. The event often sells out quickly. (denverfilm.org/summer-scream)

It’s a boon for both Denver Film and Lakeside, the latter of which was fortunately able to open for a few months last year, and which opened again to hoopla this year on May 14. Since debuting in 1908, Lakeside has become a beloved symbol of Denver’s bootstrapped past, and a still-significant example of a classic and affordable, if not entirely functional, theme park.

“We literally threw everything, including the kitchen sink, at Lakeside for this year’s Summer Scream,” Getzen said in a press statement. He and Novick are known for producing hip, innovative scavenger hunts for History Colorado, among many other immersive projects, and spent a lot of time thinking about this year’s theme.

“Missing two years means people missed out on two years of jollification and merrymaking at Lakeside, so we’ve got a lot to make up for,” Getzan said.

Like Casa Bonita, which multi-hyphenate producer and artist Novick was on the cusp of buying with a group of fundraisers before it was snapped up by “South Park’s” Trey Parker and Matt Stone in September, Lakeside is a resource of the “dying, old Denver.” That Denver has been fading as the city’s population and construction boom pushes out longtime businesses, Novick said.

This year’s Summer Scream will “no doubt rekindle childhood memories from iconic elements of the park that have been a part of our community for well over a century,” said Denver Film CEO, Kevin Smith, in a press statement.  “We’re looking forward to closing out our summer of celebration the way it’s meant to be, in-person, screaming on the classic rides of Lakeside Amusement Park.”

Those classic roller coasters and kiddie rides have always been part of the appeal for Lakeside’s diverse attendees and working class families. But so have the classic signage and cheap treats that Summer Scream has harnessed. This year, they’ll likely have the sort of accoutrement that transports attendees at other immersive events (music and live performances, costumes, special lighting, etc.).

Past Summer Scream have been wildly successful, with surprise shows, movie screenings, and already immersive acts like Itchy-O (a moody, ritualistic marching band that always brings the house down). But not knowing what’s going to happen this year is part of the fun.

“It’s harder to be surprised if you have expectations,” said Novick, whose creative budget is tied to ticket sales. “The more tickets we sell, the more things we can do.”

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