Thelma Gratsch, right, celebrates her 90th birthday on Friday, July 13, 2012 with a plunge down Kings Island’s Diamondback roller coaster. Photo provided
Thelma Gratsch celebrated her 90th birthday in a big way Friday.
The Mt. Lookout nonagenarian marked the milestone with a plunge on Kings Island’s Diamondback roller coaster.
Gratsch, who park officials believe to be the oldest park guest to have ridden the Mason amusement park’s tallest and fastest coaster, says she’s racked up more than 100 rides on Diamondback since the ride opened in 2009. She’s purchased a season pass to the park every year since they were first offered in 1979.
Considered one of the top-ranked steel coasters in the world, Diamondback hurls riders through “5,282 feet of steep drops, twists and turns through 10 acres of terrain at speeds up to 80 miles,” according to KI.
Gratsch isn’t the only senior to brave Diamondback. Gary Coleman, 70, of Monfort Heights, took his 7,000th plunge on Diamondback last week.
Kings Island, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is open daily through Aug. 26.
Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |
