SALEM — A familiar amusement park south of Salem is shutting down for 2008 — and most likely for good.

Normally at this time of year, Thrill-Ville would be gearing up for its season opener during Memorial Day weekend.

But a spokesman for Thrill-Ville USA cites rising liability insurance costs and the slowing economy.

The Vettrus brothers own and operate both facilities. Their family opened the amusement park in the 1970s with go-carts as the only attraction. They expanded during the years to include more than 20 rides.