CONNEAUT LAKE PARK — Rick Cortes of McKeesport can’t wait to see what’s happening at Conneaut Lake Park this weekend.

After a two-year absence, the amusement park reopens today with many of its rides in operation and has a host of activities — ranging from DoWopp music to a car cruise-in — planned for the Memorial Day weekend.

“It’s always good when any attraction comes back,” said Cortes, who had contacted the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau earlier this year about whether the park would reopen.

Financial problems at the amusement park, which is more than $2 million in debt, kept its rides from operating in 2007 and 2008. The park’s Beach Club tavern and eatery and Hotel Conneaut were open part of the 2007 season and again in 2008, which was run by a separate operating group.

Now, for the first time since 2006, the park will be in operation — something that pleases Cortes, who plans to attend the DoWopp music festival and car show.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said of the park. “It’s a good summer amusement for the region — not just for the locals, but people from Pittsburgh and Cleveland.”

The park reopens at 4 p.m. today for three days with its Kiddieland rides and nine other adult rides — Skydiver, a 76-foot tall tumbling Ferris wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, Flying Scooter, Paratrooper, Tumblebug, Dodgem cars, Devil’s Den, Witch’s Stew, Trabant and the carousel operating, according to Richard Lisko of Lisko & Sons Amusements of Lowellville, Ohio. The company signed a multi-year lease agreement with Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, the park’s owner, to operate rides.

The park’s train ride is expected to be in operation by the end of June, Lisko said. However, the park’s famed wooden roller coaster, the Blue Streak, won’t be in operation until 2010.

The concession stands and game buildings along the midway won’t be opened this year, but the Liskos have brought in concession and game trailers.

“We’re expecting a big weekend — as long as the weather cooperates,” said Lisko. He didn’t know how many people may show up this weekend, “but we’re hoping for as good as the Conneaut Lake Pumpkin Fest.”

Last October, the Pumpkin Fest weekend drew an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 to the park’s grounds, he said.

Jack Moyers, chairman of Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, said this weekend’s reopening of the park is the culmination of a couple of years of work.

“There’s been a lot of cleaning, upgrading and painting to get things ready,” said Moyers. “We hope people will come away with a pleasurable enough experience this weekend they’ll come back as we continue to build and grow.”

Hotel doing well