REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - As the nationwide employee shortage continues to plague the "Nation's Summer Capital," Funland is offering job opportunities to its former staff members.
Funland says they only had two J-1 employees this season and that they usually have 30 during a normal summer. Without them, they're forced to change the park's hours in a couple of weeks when high school and college students go back to school. Some former employees are returning Funland's call to come back to work, but there are still more positions to fill.
Chris Lindsley worked at Funland from 1980 to 1985. His book "Land of Fun" has sold about 4,000 copies since he wrote it two years ago, but this summer Lindsley is back for a hands-on experience in the park.
"To be back here putting on the uniform is something I've actually dreamed of," Lindsley says.
"About a month ago Funland put out a call to former employees to say hey if you're interested and you're in town, let us know," Lindsley says. "About ten minutes after I got that, I said I'm in."
Fourth generation Funland family member Ian Curry says lines may be longer and rides may be limited, but Funland is thankful to have some of its forever family members back.
"We've had people who worked for us over 30 years ago, who have worked for us, come back and help us out this summer," Curry says. "I think we're up to a dozen former employees who have come back. It's been really nice to see those faces, to see their excitement again."
Curry says Funland will be closed on Wednesdays starting August 25th and the rides will open at 3 instead of at 1 on weekdays.
"Hopefully we don't have to close any rides when we are open," Curry says. "That's why we took the decision to close one day a week, so we could give everybody off a day."
It takes 78 employees to run all of the rides and games at Funland on a busy summer night, but Curry says they'll only be able to have 45 to 50 people on staff at a time, which is why Funland is asking customers to be patient.
Lindsley ran the derby horse race game on Sunday for the first time in decades and he plans to do it again on Sunday, August 15th.
"It took me 15 or 20 minutes to get in the flow," Lindsley says. "That's one of the unique things I think about Funland, is how many parks would have rides and games that after 36 years are still there?"
Funland will be open through the weekend after Labor Day. Curry says former employees who want to be re-hired can call the business.
Click here for the "Land of Fun" book website.