Hersheypark July 1997 (Part 4 of 5)

We have two more days left here at Hersheypark and today we're going to be looking at one non Hershey chocolate product character and one kiddie ride that is still at the park today.

Up first is Coco the Bear, the mascot of the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. The team played in the old Hershey Sports Arena just outside the park from 1936 until 2002 when they moved to the Giant Center next door. The team was founded in 1932 as the Hershey B'ars and sported the jersey seen on Coco in the picture below from inception to its move to the Giant Center. During that 70 year span the jersey remained pretty much unchanged. Coco (and the team) wore this jersey from 2002 to 2012 and will be wearing this more retro look for this 2012-2013 season.


I also just found on Wikipedia that Coco will be receiving an update for the 2012-2013 season after having looked relatively the same since 1978! His new look, featuring the new jersey, can be seen here. 

Our sendoff for today, is the Pony Cart ride that still exists in some form today as the Pony Parade. According to Wikipedia, this is the second incarnation of the Pony Parade at the park.

We have one more day to spend in Hersheypark 1997, be sure to stop back by tomorrow and as always thanks for stopping by!