The Strawhatters

The Strawhatters was an American television summer variety show that aired on the national DuMont network from May 27, 1953 until September 9, 1953, and again in 1954, from June 23 until September 8 of that year. Episodes of the program had also been seen on WABD, the New York City-area DuMont station, in 1952, before it aired nationally. For 1954, the program was retitled Summer in the Park. Filmed at Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, The Strawhatters featured talent shows, musical entertainment, and diving exhibitions. The Complete Directory to Primetime Network and Cable TV Shows called The Strawhatters "essentially an hour-long advertisement for Palisades Amusement Park." The program was hosted and emceed by Johnny Olson in 1953, and Virginia Graham in 1954.