ATHOL - Once each summer, Vera Lapin and family head to Silverwood Theme Park.

This year, Thursday was that day.

They were not disappointed.

"It's always a great day for us," the Spokane woman said with a smile.

It doesn't get much better than sunny skies, 85 degrees, and sitting in the shade eating ice cream cones - oh, and lots and lots of rides, too.

"We love the rides," she added.

So, it seems, do lots of people.

Silverwood is on track to bring in more than 650,000 guests this season, which would break the best of 628,000.

Come through the gates of the park about 15 miles north of Coeur d'Alene, and there's no sign of economic worries, depressing job reports or a falling stock market.

Just men, women and children riding rollercoasters, slipping down water slides, joking with juggling clowns and lounging at Lindy's restaurant.

"We are very, very happy," said Nancy DiGiammarco, Silverwood spokeswoman. "It's going to be a record season."

Silverwood, which employs 78 full-time and 1,200 seasonal employees, pulled in a season high 10,657 visitors on Saturday.

Even in the early season days when it was raining, they attracted 6,000 to 7,000 daily to try its 65 rides, shows and attractions. With the recent wave of sunshine, the head count has climbed to more than 8,000 per day.

DiGiammarco said Silverwood's marketing campaigns in the Seattle and Portland areas are paying off.

Plenty of customers are coming from Canada, too, especially Calgary, where Silverwood is advertised heavily.

"We hear a lot of 'eh's' when you come here," DiGiammarco said, laughing.

Another reason for Silverwood's success, she said, is that the park in its 24th season is gaining a reputation as "the little Disney of the Northwest" and a place for a great family vacation.

Many people, because of the slow economy, are holding back from taking bigger, more expensive trips and instead, finding their kids can have all the fun they want - without overspending - at Silverwood.

"The word is out, this park is located here," she said.

"You can't beat the fact this theme park is located in one of the most beautiful locations surrounded by mountains and timber," she added.

Rob and Tracey Penson are glad they found it.

The Canadian couple stopped at Silverwood with their three children on their way back to their home north of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Rob Penson said it was their first visit to the park.

"It's great, the kids love it," he said, as sons Christian, 8, and Michael, 4, fired away at each other with pop guns. "We'll spend all day here."

They first tried some of the coasters, with plans to head to Boulder Beach and cool off in Polliwog Park and Elkhorn Creek.

His sons were anxious for more.

"They just got started," Penson said.

Wife Tracey said they learned of Silverwood through Google Maps when they were trying to find a place for the family on their trek home.

"This looked like a good place to stop," she said after returning from a ride with her daughter.

And yes, they'll likely come back.

DiGiammarco said Silverwood is seeing adults who used to come to the park when they were kids, returning with families of their own.

"We're finally into that cycle of the next generation of young people coming here," she said. "This is the place they want to bring their kids."