In the Soviet era, children played and had fun where the cemetery of the soldiers of the First World War is now restored. XNUMXth century in the second half, the cemetery was razed to the ground, and attractions brought from Czechoslovakia were installed in its place.
There were several different attractions here: a room of mirrors, a carousel-centrifuge, a carousel, swings, where you could swing even at an angle of 90 degrees. It was also possible to ride electric cars in the park, and a wonderful view of a part of Vilnius opened up from the observation wheel.
"If in the first amusement park in Poland, you got "Donald" chewing gum as a prize, in the Czech one it was "Pedro" chewing gum" - Semion Bernshtein shares his memories in the Facebook group "Vingio vaikii".
The attractions cost 20-30 kopecks. In some, you could get prizes, and in some, you could get hurt. Other group members share their memories:
"Crazy prices - from 20 kopecks - and crazy popularity. Swings, carousels, shooting gallery with prizes, fear room, mirror maze and cars!”
"I only remember the maze. I didn't go inside - I liked hearing the sound of people hitting the glass. Once every half hour there was a sound of breaking glass. On the third day after the opening of the shooting range, the service staff knew all the shooters by sight and did not let them in."
"It was necessary to hit the ball in the jar in three attempts, for which you could get a prize." The whole trick was that the jars were installed in such a way that it was practically impossible to hit. But that didn't stop people and crowds of customers were waiting for their turn."
In the first years of independence, the attractions were still in operation, but later they were removed, and an ancient cemetery was restored in their place. It is not clear where the attractions (especially the Ferris wheel) were taken.
Vingo Park attractions
