Hundreds of people hopped aboard Tucson's Magic Carpet on Saturday for one last ride.
For some, it was a time to rekindle old memories of the quirky miniature golf icon along East Speedway before the landscape dotted with dinosaurs and Tiki gods turns into a parking lot.
Others brought their children, seeking a final stroll through one of the two 18-hole courses as a way to connect with their families and create common memories.
In a 13-hour marathon of mini-golf, music and dancing, organizers intent on preserving some of the park's large structures held a fundraising drive while providing an opportunity for people to putt one last time.
Ben Laux planned to spend his entire day at Magic Carpet, 6125 E. Speedway.
The Tucson-born Laux flew in from Rhode Island for a final day at the course, which he remembers fondly from his childhood.
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Holding an album featuring dozens of old photos of himself at Magic Carpet, Laux walked patiently from one monument to the next.
Scrutinizing each photo, he would attempt to strike the same pose he made as a 13-year-old.
"This was Tucson to me," Laux said. "I just had to be here for the wake, as it were."
The status of the goofy figures has been in limbo since the site was sold in January to Chapman Automotive group for $1.8 million. The business plans to use the site as an overflow parking lot for a nearby Mercedes dealership.
A local Democratic lawmaker, state Rep. Steve Farley and leaders from another Tucson attraction, Valley of the Moon, organized the event to try to save the landmarks, with a few already finding future homes, including some at the Valley of the Moon.
After fixing a lot of the park's electrical wiring, pulling weeds and putting a fresh coat of paint on the attractions, the group sold rounds of golf for $20 each.
More than 500 reservations were made before the event, and hundreds of people were expected to show up and play a round, said Randy Van Nostrand, president of the Valley of the Moon.
"There's a huge sentimental draw," he said. "People grew up here."
When Art Almquist played a round at Magic Carpet 15 years ago, he was with his future wife, Amy.
At that time, the couple met up with some of Almquist's childhood friends, Joyce-Ann and James Harris, for a double date.
On Saturday, the foursome laughed and gave each other golfing nicknames as they played a final round and recounted their past visit.
"We have a history here, and we're sad to see it go," Almquist said.
Volunteer Frank Niprikas was one of the first people to golf at Magic Carpet.
Before it opened, the then-11-year-old would putt while his father finished up the electrical wiring on the attractions.
Niprikas, who rewired the electrical work before this fundraiser, said he was hoping to be one of the last people to play a round.
"I was around here for the whole thing, the beginning and the end," he said. "There's quite a connection for me."
Eric Hemphill, who worked at Magic Carpet in the '80s, said that while he was sad the miniature golf site was closing, he knew it would eventually be torn down.
"Although people might be sad to see it go, they at least have a chance to say goodbye," he said.
"There's a huge sentimental draw. People grew up here."
Randy Van Nostrand, president of the Valley of the Moon
