Attractiepark Slagharen

Slagharen

Overijssel

Attractiepark Slagharen, located in Slagharen in the municipality of Hardenberg in the Netherlands, is a theme park that attracts over a million visitors every year. This theme park, inspired by the Wild West, ranks among the great Dutch amusement parks, offering an immersive experience in the world of cowboys and Indians.

Druyts.t, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

History of Attractiepark Slagharen

Opened in 1963, the park was originally known as Ponypark Slagharen. It was renamed Attractiepark Slagharen in 1998, reflecting its evolution and expansion with a variety of attractions. In its early days, the park was run by the Bemboom family, and Henk Bemboom in particular.

Attractiepark Slagharen is best known for its Wild West theme, with attractions, buildings and scenery reminiscent of the American pioneer era. In 1981, the park was hit by a fire that damaged part of its facilities, but it has since been rebuilt and continued to grow.

A popular park in the Netherlands

In 2010, Attractiepark Slagharen was the second-busiest park in the Netherlands, with 1.5 million visitors a year. Although the Efteling is the leader with 4 million visitors, Attractiepark Slagharen stands out for its unique Wild West atmosphere and varied attractions for families and children.

Acquisition by Parques Reunidos

On March 15, 2012, Attractiepark Slagharen was acquired by the Parques Reunidos group, a big name in the theme park industry (which owns several parks in Europe, including Movie Park in Germany and Bobbejanland in Belgium), thus bringing to an end the family management of the Bemboom family. This acquisition has enabled the park to continue to develop and offer new attractions and experiences to its visitors.