Hersheypark Arena facts for kids
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"The Old Barn"
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| Former names | Hershey Sports Arena (1936–1972) |
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| Location | 100 West Hersheypark Drive Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033 |
| Coordinates | 40°17′17″N 76°39′23″W / 40.28806°N 76.65639°W |
| Operator | Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company |
| Capacity | 7,286 |
| Surface | Ice |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1935 |
| Built | 1936 |
| Opened | 1936 |
| Tenants | |
| Hershey Bears (EAHL) 1936–1938 Hershey Bears (AHL) 1936–2002 Hershey Impact (NPSL) 1988–1991 Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen (NCAA) 1998–present Hershey Cubs (USPHL) 2021–present |
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Hersheypark Arena is a cool indoor building in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It's a place where many different events happen. This arena can hold about 7,286 people for hockey games. If you count standing room, over 8,000 people can fit inside!
It first opened in 1936 and was called the Hershey Sports Arena. For a long time, it was the home of the famous Hershey Bears hockey team. They played there from 1936 until 2002. Other teams, like the Hershey Impact soccer team and the Lebanon Valley College Flying Dutchmen ice hockey team, have also called it home. Since 2021, the Hershey Cubs ice hockey team has played here too.
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The Arena's History
When Hersheypark Arena was built in 1936, it was a very special building. It was the largest structure in the United States where every single seat had a clear view. No poles or walls blocked anyone's sight!
For 64 years, from 1938 to 2002, it was the main home for the Hershey Bears hockey team. Besides hockey, many other exciting events took place here.
Sports and Shows
The arena hosted basketball and wrestling championships for high school students in Pennsylvania. It was also home to the Hershey Impact soccer team from 1988 to 1991.
Many famous shows and events have visited the arena. These include the Ice Capades, Disney on Ice, and professional boxing matches. Even big wrestling events from the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) happened here!
Famous Moments
On October 13, 1953, the arena hosted a big birthday party for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. His farm was nearby in Gettysburg.
A famous band called Phish played a concert here on December 1, 1995. They even recorded the show, and it was later released as a live album.
Wilt Chamberlain's Record-Breaking Game
One of the most amazing sports moments happened here on March 2, 1962. A basketball player named Wilt Chamberlain scored an incredible 100 points in one game! He was playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks. This record still stands today in the NBA.
Roof Fire Incident
On July 5, 2012, a fire broke out at the arena while it was being fixed up. Firefighters worked for about two hours to put it out. The roof was damaged, but thankfully, the building was not in danger of falling down. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
What Happens There Now
Hersheypark Arena is still a busy place! It's the home rink for the Lebanon Valley College Flying Dutchmen ice hockey teams. Both the women's and men's teams play their games here.
The arena also hosts the Hershey Junior Bears, which is a youth hockey team. On many weekends during the colder months, the rink is open for everyone to enjoy ice skating.
Every year, part of the Music in the Parks competition takes place at the arena. In 2021, the Hershey Cubs ice hockey team also started using the arena as their home ice.
