As Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of summer, families and amusement park enthusiasts began making their annual trek to Knoebels Amusement Resort.

Touted as America’s largest free-admission amusement park, Knoebels has something for everyone, from food to thrill rides and everything in between. The park even welcomes your furry friends as long as they are leashed and well-behaved.

Nestled in Elysburg, the 45-acre park has been owned and operated by the Knoebel family since July 4, 1926.

The amusement park has grown significantly over the decades, now offering thrill seekers and families plenty of options, including 63 rides, 30 food locations, two campgrounds, a 900,000-gallon swimming pool, golf course, free entertainment and over 40 games of chance and gift shops.

Thrill seekers can enjoy one or all of Knoebels’ roller coasters — Phoenix, Flying Turns, Black Diamond, Impulse and Twister.

The tallest wooden coaster is Twister, a Knoebels original, based on the famous Mister Twister from Elitch Gardens in Denver. This fast ride goes through swooping curves, a double helix, a dark tunnel and down several small and large hills.

Phoenix roller coaster has a fast ride with upward acceleration and a “double out and back” layout has passengers flying through the air and catching a bird’s-eye view of the rolling, tree-covered hills.

Rising from the ashes of its history as the Rocket roller coaster built in 1947 in San Antonio, the Phoenix was reborn at Knoebels in 1985. It has consistently been ranked as one of the top wooden coasters.

Impulse has four upside down twists and a 90-degree free fall, a cobra roll and a zero-g roll.

Flying Turns is a wooden bobsled roller coaster and Black Diamond takes you on a mine car ride through the haunted coal mines.

Younger children can enjoy gentle joyrides on a variety of planes, trains, boats and cars in the kiddie area.

For families, the ever popular Grand Carousel, Antique Cars, Giant Wheel or Pioneer Train are just the right speed for everyone, no matter their age.

There are a few new things in the park this year, including Over the Top and Lazer Maze, a “Mission Impossible”-style game that challenges participants to sneak through lasers without touching them, located in the Lazer Command building next to the Haunted Mansion, as well as food and drink items like handcrafted sodas at the Twister stand, a Texas-sized BLT at the International Food Court, loaded tri-tators at the Round Stand, fish tacos at the Wharf and lattes at the Cookie Nook.

There is also a new Backyard BBQ Stand, which will feature fresh roasted corn on the cob, bacon on a stick, and pork with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes on a stick, as well as the beef brisket outlaw sandwich.

The park is now open at 11 a.m. for its summer months.

Tickets and ride all day passes are available at the park or online for those wishing to enjoy everything there is to offer at Knoebels.

For more information on the hours and ride all day prices or to see what all Knoebels has to offer, visit www.knoebels.com.