The closure of Malta’s rodeo creates space for a thriving hayride business – Il-Gazzetta ta ‘Kuljum
MALTA – After more than 40 years in business, the Double M Rodeo on Route 67 has become another COVID-19 pandemic disaster.
After not opening for the 2020 and 2021 summers, owners Wayne and Cindy Martin announced this week that the attraction has closed forever.
“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the entire rodeo family, the contestants and our patrons who made the Double M rodeo a success,” the couple said in a statement on Facebook. . “We have decided to close this chapter in our lives. Of course no change or decision is easy but as we have all experienced in the last two years, life is not forever. So you better enjoy it now. ”
Wayne’s brother, Leo Martin, who owns Double M Haunted Hayrides, said: “He’s older than me and just decided, no more,” and added that his brother and wife moved to Alabama.
It wasn’t a scenario where the rodeo business ended up lame, Leo Martin said.
“The rodeo has been going well for the last few years. It was more a matter of time with VOCID. That’s all. “
The Double M Western Store on Route 67 will also remain open.
While Max Martin said he was “sad” that his uncle’s rodeo business had closed, the young man said he saw it as an opportunity to grow the haunted haenride’s thriving business.
“Growing up, rodeo has always been here and it’s definitely different,” said Max, the 18-year-old general manager of the hayride business. “But as I said, it opens doors for hayrides and helps hayrides grow. So, bottom line is that we’re really looking forward to it. “
Leo Martin said the hayrides business continued to thrive during the pandemic. Last year, during the height of the pandemic, it changed to a successful drive-thru scenario.
“It was one of the best years we’ve ever had,” he said, with 20,000 participants compared to 15,000 to 18,000 during a typical year. The Martins attribute the hike to people who want to be outside.
“We staple there in the fall,” Leo Martin said. “It simply came to our notice then. When people think they are afraid, they think of us. ”
“The rodeo came on Labor Day, which made it hard for haunted haenrides to get ready for October,” Leo Martin said.
“Now we’re going to be able to get so much bigger and add a lot to it,” he said. “We’re planning big things.”
He said he did not want to reveal too much of that plan, except to note that a new walkthrough is planned for hayrides in the pre-rodeo arena.
Max, who remembers being involved in the hayride business from second grade when he wore a ghillie suit to scare customers, said that staying open “means everything to me because I was born and raised here. I wouldn’t be the same person I would be today if this place wasn’t here. “
Contact reporter Brian Lee on [email protected] or 518-419-9766.
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