National Waterpark Day is a celebration dedicated to the joy and excitement of waterparks, where families and thrill-seekers can enjoy water slides, wave pools, and various aquatic attractions. It’s a day to embrace summer fun and create lasting memories at these aquatic playgrounds.
Quick Facts
When is it?: July 28th annually
Tagged as: Summer Holiday, Family Fun Day
What’s the hashtag?: #NationalWaterparkDay
When was it founded?: 2017
Who founded it?: Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
History of National Waterpark Day
The concept of waterparks emerged in the late 1940s and early 1950s, evolving from public swimming pools. The first major milestone was the display of a waterslide in New Zealand during their 1906 International Exhibition. The modern waterpark era truly began when George Millay opened Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando in 1977, setting the standard for future developments.
Timeline
• 1906: First water slide displayed in New Zealand
• 1977: First modern waterpark (Wet ‘n Wild) opens in Orlando
• 1994: First indoor waterpark in the US opens in Wisconsin Dells
• 2000s: Introduction of conveyor belts to reduce waiting times
• 2017: First National Waterpark Day celebration
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Month and Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | July 28 | Monday |
| 2026 | July 28 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | July 28 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | July 28 | Friday |
| 2029 | July 28 | Saturday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by visiting waterparks, enjoying various attractions from thrilling water slides to relaxing lazy rivers. Many parks offer special promotions and events on this day.
Fun Facts About Waterparks
• Wisconsin Dells is known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World”
• The United States has over 1,000 waterparks
• The first indoor waterpark was built in Switzerland in 1977
• Some modern waterparks feature artificial surfing environments
Quiz
- Where was the first water slide displayed?
- Which city is known as the Waterpark Capital of the World?
- When did Wet ‘n Wild Orlando open?
-(Answers: 1. New Zealand, 2. Wisconsin Dells, 3. 1977)
FAQs
Q: Who opened the first modern waterpark?
A: George Millay opened Wet ‘n Wild in Orlando in 1977
Q: What are common waterpark features?
A: Water slides, lazy rivers, splash pools, and wave pools
Importance of National Waterpark Day
This day promotes family bonding, physical activity, and summer fun while highlighting the significance of waterparks in American recreation culture. It encourages people to stay active and cool during the hot summer months.
Related Holidays
• World Water Day
• National Swimming Pool Day
• National Summer Recreation Day
• International Beach Day