The history

Fårup Sommerland is a dream come true.

The Fårup Sommerland story began in an entirely different world, as, for many years, the Kragelund Family operated a wholesale business in Aalborg. In addition to selling groceries, they also imported and sold industrial salt and exported lime to Europe and the Middle East. The company was always renound for its good business practices.

When large supermarkets and chains began to shoot up all over Denmark at the beginning of the 1970s, it became clear that the current business model must be modified. As competitors grew bigger, the Kragelunds had to decide whether to grow with these big enterprises or to try to make an old dream come true.

Anders Kragelund decided to go with the dream and after 90 years of activity, the old business was sold. Anders had noticed that families had more leisure time – they took longer holidays – and tourism was developing into a whole new industry. There seemed to be a need for a place where the main focus was on family activities. After a look at developments in the USA, the first tentative Danish plans were made. It could be said that this transition was enormous - but the basic values in the old business that "the customers should have the right goods at the right price - on time and with good service - with the emphasis on quality at every level" would also be relevant at the new Fårup Sommerland. The customers were now visitors - the goods an experience. The selection of activities should be varied and backed up by good service and quality in every detail. These characteristics continue to apply today.
The dream came true at the beginning of 1970, when a site in the midst of some of the loveliest Danish holiday countryside – near sea, dunes, heathland and woods was found. The choice fell on Fårup, an area between the towns of Saltum and Blokhus. It was hoped that this would make Fårup Sommerland convenient to the many holidaymakers who visit this area during the summer. Construction began in 1974, and on 21 June 1975 the gates opened to trampolines, canoes, horses and sandpits – everything could be used free of charge, once the admission fee had been paid. The countryside was an essential part of the park and gave visitors the impression of being on a woodland picnic. This was certainly new and it was not known if the public would take to something never before seen in Denmark? They did! The modest number of 40,000 visitors in 1975 grew to 150,000 in 1977. It was obvious that Fårup Sommerland could meet the growing need for family activities, and after a short time, more space was required. A neighbouring property was purchased, thus making it possible to extend the activities in the park, provide more parking space and build a new main entrance.

When Fårup Sommerland opened Denmark's largest water slide in 1983, the number of visitors reached 350,000. But the figures were never stable in the following years, just as the Danish summer weather is far from “stable”. An outdoor family amusement park is very dependent on the weather and on the number of tourists. In 1989, Fårup Sommerland was enlarged with the Aquapark with Wild Rivers, Slides and Surf Hill. Then in 1990, Bullet, Wet Racers and the driving school were added.

In 1991, the Colorado River - based on an idea from the USA – opened. The 1992 season was the best ever for Fårup Sommerland with 458,000 visitors who had an opportunity to try the new attraction that year, the Mine-Express. In 1993, a wave pool was added to the Aquapark, and in 1994 the new amusement was the Children's Tivoli. The following year, a new main entrance was built, and in 1996, the Tarzan Trail was enlarged, thus providing Fårup Sommerland with an exciting, new Treasure Hunt.

In 1997, the Children's Tivoli was enlarged, and in 1998, Fårup Rafting - a kind of controlled Wild River Rafting – was built.

In 1999, the first sea lion show was presented, marking the start of entertainment on stage. In 2000, the new item was a gigantic and colourful playground.

Since 2001 the visitors have been able to get a ride in a spinning family-coaster called "Flagermusen" and from 2002 your climbing skills could be tested and improved on the mountain "Volcano" and the climbing net called "The spider". Both these attractions are situated in the eastern part of the park next to the horses, where you will also find a brand new lake for the youngest sailors in the family!
In the same area, for the 2003-season a brand new bouncy cushion, called the flower garden, was made. We have also made a new ice-shop so that it is possible to get refreshments in this very calm corner of Fårup Sommerland.

In the season 2003 we had 495.800 visitors and was our best season ever.
For the season 2004 we built the biggest wooden-roller coaster in Denmark which resulted in 551.737 guests visiting  Fårup Sommerland - and then we had to prepare for Fårup's 30th birthday in 2005.
The season 2005 was an anniversary year for Fårup Sommerland. We reached 30 years, and had again three new attractions on the program: The funny Children Tower, the crazy Bumper Boats and the high-flying Parrot-Show. The number of visitors was 537.696.

For the season 2006 we again introduced a very exciting new attraction – 4D Cinema where the whole family gets a huge experience together. It is not quite an ordinary cinema – as here you need to use all your senses. The July weather in 2006 was favourable and 557.346 visitors came. That feels great!

The year 2007 is again a year with improvements all over the park. One of the new attractions we can point out is a very exciting water slide in the Aquapark – “The Water Cyclone”. Bring the family on a ride round and round until finally being thrown out the other end. In the 4D-cinema we got a new movie called “Fly me to the moon”. This was a crazy, fascinating and cosy space fairytale with surprising effects – about the time, where no one had tried to walk to the moon. And last but not least we have improved the quality of the picnic are by the big playground by building new barbeques, which are covered and have counter space and a washbasin. We hoped again for a record number of visitors, but the persistent rain this summer kept a lot of visitors away from Fårup Sommerland. This season Fårup Sommerland got the fifth star, which means that it now is one of the five stars attractions in Denmark. 525.501 visitors came in the season 2007.

In spite of the bad weather in 2007, we played for high stakes in the seaso 2008 season. The very latest high technology roller coaster – a launch coaster – came to Fårup. The Fårup Lightning – which accelerates from 0 – 80 km/h at 2 seconds and gives the fastest cars a real rub for their money. This is so far the biggest single investment in the history of Fårup – a total of 35 mill. DKK was the price tag. It powers all visitors over 120 cm off like a lightening bolt up to 20 metres where the ride begins. 
Once more we can show off a big number of visitors to Fårup Sommerland. 578.586 visitors came to Fårup Sommerland, and we are certain that one of the reasons for this record was the Lightening.

The season 2009 offers two new attractions which will guarantee a dizzy experience!