MasonBuzz.com

Shauna Steigerwald reports:

It’s that time again, when the Beast will roar across its wooden track at close to highway speed; the Diamondback will plunge down its 215-drop even faster; and Snoopy and friends will greet kids and the young at heart.

Kings Island, a warm-weather tradition for many Greater Cincinnatians, opens Saturday, with daily operations resuming May 10, the earliest the park has ever been open daily.

In addition to their favorite thrill rides, visitors will have a few new things to see, do and eat this year. Read on to find out about some of the park’s newest attractions.

• Take our Kings Island quiz!
• Photos: What’s new at Kings Island
• What’s new: Kings Island adds dinosaurs, Reds and German fare
• First look: Reds Hall of Fame Grille
• We tried it: KI’s new Reds-themed restaurant
• From Retro: The lost rides of Kings Island
• Photos: Kings Island through the years

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: attractions, dining, dinosaurs alive, food, food review, kings island, lost rides, mason, new, old rides, opening day, photos, quiz, reds hall of fame grille, rides

Kings Island closed The Bat in 1984, saying the coaster never operated up to expectations and would be too costly to fix. AP photo

John Kiesewetter reports:

Watching that  “Brady Bunch” show from Kings Island got me thinking about all the long-gone rides at the park. Can you help me list them all?

I was surprised how many rides are gone. Of course there were the Sky Ride and Antique Cars, but I didn’t remember the Canoe ride, where people padded over to an island with the Indian tepees.

• Photos: The Brady Bunch at Kings Island

The vast empty spaces at Kings Island from the “Brady Bunch” aerial shots showed how the park had grown and changed over 40 years.  The Bradys were there before Lion Country Safari opened (in 1974).

Below is my list of long-gone rides from the “Brady Bunch”  episode. There are so many other rides that have come and gone since then, like the King Cobra stand-up coaster or Sky Lab.  Can you add to my list?

• Double-decker parking lot bus
• Sky Ride
• Giant Slide
• Flying Eagle
• Canoes
• Wooden Shoe spinning ride
• Halley’s Comet spinning ride
• Wheel of Fortune spinning ride, like a big roulette wheel
• Spinning Barrel ride (like the Disney Tea Cups, but barrels)

What were your favorite rides and attractions that are no longer there?

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: antique cars, brady bunch, canoe ride, closed, flying eagle, giant slide, halley's comet, kings island, lion country safari, obsolete, rides, sky ride, the bat, wheel of fortune, wooden show

Gary Coleman, pictured front right, of Monfort Heights, celebrates his 7,000th ride on Kings Island’s Diamondback roller coaster on July 4, 2012. Photo provided/Kings Island

Kings Island capped off a successful year that saw the park’s rides and attractions give a combined 25,371,572 rides during the park’s 40th anniversary season, the park reported.

Five attractions gave more than 1 million rides: Diamondback (1,812,311), The Racer (1,372,948), The Beast (1,130,830), Vortex (1,120,052) and the K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad (1,046,644).

The K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad surpassed its 50 million mark in rides given this year. It’s the second-most in park history to The Racer at 97,825, 493.

More than 1.25 billion rides — 1,254,044,426 to be exact — have been given since the park opened in 1972.  The Enchanted Voyage (47,380,374) and Kenton County Keelboat Canal (40,069,518) top the list of retired rides.

The Vortex is expected to give its 40 millionth ride in 2013, Dodgem its 30 millionth and Flight Deck is 20 millionth.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, diamondback, dodgem, enchanted voyage, flight deck, k.i. & miami valley railroad, kings island, mason, retired rides, rides, the beast, the racer, theme park, vortex

Kings Island is offering admission for $19.72 for park goers who arrive after 5 p.m. through next Tuesday, July 31. The promotion is part of King Island’s season-long 40th anniversary celebration.

The Mason amusement park will have fireworks each night at 10 p.m. during the promotion.

The 19.72 starlight admission ticket can be purchased at any front gate admissions window or online at www.visitkingsisland.com. After the promotion is over, the starlight ticket will be available for $25.99.

The 364-acre park is open daily through Aug. 26.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, invertigo, kings island, logo, mason, rides, roller coasters, soak city, waterpark

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

The Warren County Fair may be one day shorter this year when it opens Tuesday for a five-day run, but organizers say fairgoers shouldn’t see many changes.

“We’re just trying to save a little bit of money and pack all the fun into five days,’’ said Tari Maddox, fair secretary.

Like last year, more than 1,000 children and teens are participating in the Junior Fair through their 4-H clubs. New this year is the addition of wood carvers who will do four shows each day.

Tuesday’s 7 p.m. parade features more than 75 groups following the Lebanon High School marching band around the track. As marchers circle the track, 10 hot air balloons will launch from the infield, Maddox said.

This year’s shortened schedule is part of a plan to reduce expenses after county officials last October gave the Warren County Agricultural Society $50,000 for operating expenses and other costs.

That money came with a stern warning: be more prudent financially, racing is leaving.

“The entire model has to change and be more self-sustaining,’’ said Warren County Commissioner David Young.

The society manages the county-owned fairgrounds – where the Lebanon Raceway is located – and runs the fair. It receives a portion of racing revenue.

Officials blame last year’s poor attendance on the extreme heat during fair week. That, combined with fewer races generating less dollars, led to reduced revenue.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed. We’re hoping for a week of low humidity, even if it’s in the high 80’s,’’ said Ron Hurtt, president of the agriculture society’s board. “We’ll just have to see what Mother Nature gives us.”

Besides cutting one day out of the fair schedule – typically Monday and Tuesday are the least attended days – other measures are being done to reduce expenses.

The fair book won’t be printed or mailed; instead it will be published only online, saving about $6,000 in printing and mailing expenses, Hurtt said. There will be fewer days of judging, one less act booked and fair directors didn’t attend this year’s fair convention in Columbus and will get few perks Hurtt said.

Together, the changes and reduced days are expected to cut fair expenses by more than $25,000.

Posted in: Community, Events, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: 4-h, fair queen, fairgrounds, festival, jungle island zoo, karaoke, king, lebanon, rides, tractor pulls, warren county, warren county fair, wood carvers

Amanda Osborne, 12 check on one of the Boer Goats she plans to show at the Warren County Fair. File photo

Sue Kiesewetter reports:

More than 45,000 visitors are expected to visit Lebanon over the five-day run of this year’s Warren County Fair, which begins July 17.

And that doesn’t include the 1,000-plus children and teens who are participating in the Junior Fair through their 4-H clubs.

“The numbers are staying true,’’ said Tari Maddox, fair secretary. “We have lots of entries.”

Fairgrounds will be open from 8 a.m. through 11 p.m., each day through July 21. Karaoke, tractor pulls, a demo derby and harness racing are all returning. Visitors will find more than 50 food booths, 20 rides and a plethora of animals.

The traditional opening day fair parade is set for 7 p.m., Tuesday at the track. More than 75 groups – everything from 4-H clubs leading goats, to politicians and floats – will follow the Lebanon High School marching band around the track.

But that’s not all that will happen in the track area. As marchers circle the track, 10 hot air balloons will launch from the infield, Maddox said. And in the activity tent, David Cain will be performing his Juggler for Jesus show.

New this year is the addition of wood carvers who will do four shows each day. They will be carving animals or other shapes by request.

They join the Jungle Island Zoo where children can feed animals, the barnyard display of animal mothers and their babies, along with the traditional baked goods, flowers, youth art, ceramics and other open class displays for judging.

Although the fair is one day shorter than in past years, families will still find things to do the day before the fair opens on July 16. 4-H shows begin at 10 a.m. and the fair queen and king will be crowned at 2 p.m.

“The midway and rides open Tuesday but the barn area and some food concessions will open Monday,’’ Maddox said.

On Thursday’s family day, patrons will get a price break on admissions and rides. The cost for each car, with up to six adults, will be $15. All day ride bracelets are $12 per person Thursday only.

If you go
What: Warren County Fair, 665 N. Broadway
When: July 17-21
Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m
Admission: $8 per person; children ages 12 and younger are free; weekly pass, $23; senior citizens free on Thursday; uniformed members of the military receive free admission Tuesday; $15 per carload on Thursday, with limit of six adults
Information/schedule: 513-932-2636 or www.warrencountyfairohio.org

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Posted in: Community, Events, News, Recreational events, Warren County |

Tags: Tags: 4-h, fair queen, fairgrounds, festival, jungle island zoo, karaoke, king, lebanon, rides, tractor pulls, warren county, warren county fair, wood carvers

Gary Coleman, pictured front right, of Monfort Heights, celebrates his 7,000th ride on Kings Island’s Diamondback roller coaster on July 4, 2012. Photo provided/Kings Island

A Cincinnati man celebrated ride number 7,000 — yes, that’s right — on Kings Island’s Diamondback roller coaster this week.

Gary Colemen, 70, of Monfort Heights, took the milestone plunge Wednesday on the Mason amusement park’s tallest and fastest coaster.

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 the park’s website.

Coleman began riding the coaster in 2009 “just for fun,” but said it soon turned into an all-consuming passion.  He has spent more than 350 hours on Diamondback in the past four years and has coasted roughly the equivalent of a ride across the U.S. and more than halfway back, park officials estimate.

Coleman, who has a platinum season pass, has racked up more than 1,100 rides on Diamondback in just 30 visits to the park this season, for an average of 37 rides a day, including a personal single-day record of 111 rides on June 17.

Kings Island, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is open daily through Aug. 26.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: 000, cincinnati, diamondback, gary coleman, kings island, mason, rides, roller coaster 7, senior

Invertigo gets a new, very blue color scheme this year. Provided image

Paul McKibben reports:

A $10 million expansion of its Soak City water park isn’t the only new feature at Kings Island this year as the amusement park celebrates its 40th anniversary season.

Kings Island will unveil four new shows and food. Thrill seekers will also notice some cosmetic changes such as new colors on the Invertigo roller coaster (aqua track and royal blue supports).

• King of Thrills: Kings Island’s 40-year reign
• Photos: Kings Island through the years
• Things you may not know about Kings Island
• Timeline: A trip through thrill ride history
• Quiz: Are you a KI buff? | Best thrill ride?

New shows

“British Invasion,” Festhaus, starts opening day, songs of the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Elton John and others

“Charlie Brown’s All-Stars,” Peanuts Playhouse, starts opening day, a baseball-themed show with Peanuts characters

“Remember When: The 70s!” Showplace Theatre, starting in June, music from the 1970s, the decade Kings Island opened

“Ed Alonzo’s Psycho Circus of Magic and Mayhem,” Kings Island Theatre, June 2 through the end of August: Magician Ed Alonzo who played Max in the sitcom “Saved by the Bell.”

“It’s like adding a new ride because not everybody will ride rides all the time. Some people come just for the entertainment aspect,” Kings Island spokesman Don Helbig said. “So you always want to have something that’s new and fresh for those guests as well.”

Shows returning are “American Country,” “Hot Summer Nights” and “Peanuts Party in the Plaza.”

New food

New food includes “fresh never frozen” hamburgers at the Festhaus, Juke Box Diner and Stunt Crew Grill; a new Philly cheesesteak at the Snake Pit food stand, burritos, burrito bowls and nachos at Hank’s Burrito Shack restaurant at the park’s Oktoberfest section, and gluten-free pizza at LaRosa’s on International Street.

Other new food includes a new pretzel, improved funnel cakes and a fresh-dipped ice cream bar at the Planet Snoopy section of the park where customers will be able to add their own toppings.

Kings Island will have freestyle Coca-Cola machines in the park where customers can make their own drinks. A commemorative souvenir 40th anniversary bottle will be available for purchase. Coke and LaRosa’s have been partners with Kings Island for 40 years.

All about Soak City

The $10 million water park expansion project is the biggest project at Kings Island this year includes 30 water slides, two wave pools, tropical lagoons, rushing rivers and more.

New wave pool: Measures 39,000 square feet with more than 650,000 gallon waves, a water depth up to six feet with wave heights of more than four feet.

New action river: The renovation of the current Lazy River includes new waterfalls, a rain curtain, tipping buckets, spray hoses and jets creating turbulent water effects.

Sand volleyball court: New professional-quality court is designed for both casual and competitive play.

More lounging: Three football fields of lounging areas include more than 1,000 additional chairs.

If you go

Kings Island opens Saturday.  It is closed for a private event on Sunday.

The park opens for weekend operation May 4; daily operation starts May 11.

Web: www.visitkingsisland.com

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, invertigo, kings island, mason, open, opening day, rides, roller coasters, soak city, waterpark

Construction continues on Kings Island's new Soak City water park. The $10 million expansion replaces Boomerang Bay and is expected to open Memorial Day weekend. Photos provided/Kings Island

Kings Island is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary season.

Workers at the Mason amusement park are in the process of testing rides and putting the finishing touches on park attractions and features. The park opens April 28; daily operation begins May 11.

The 364-acre park released a commemorative logo for its milestone season, launched a Twitter contest and will celebrate the grand opening of the new Soak City Waterpark on May 26.  Admission to the waterpark is free with general park admission.

Other park highlights this season include a newly-painted Invertigo, expanded food offerings and three new live stage shows.

• Photos: Updated Soak City construction
• Photos: Workers prepare for Opening Day
• Poll: Pick Kings Island’s best thrill ride
• Photos: Kings Island through the years
  

The Mason amusement park opened in April, 1972 to 7,000 curious guests, who paid $6 admission to the park’s 65 attractions.  By the end of that first season, attendance had swelled to 2 million guests, a theme park industry record.

Since then, more than 120 million visitors have frequented the park’s world-class rides, shows and attractions, according to park officials.

Look for The Enquirer’s special coverage of KI’s 40th anniversary at www.cincinnati.com on Sunday, April 22.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Events, Kings Island, Recreational events |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, invertigo, kings island, logo, mason, open, opening day, rides, roller coasters, soak city, twitter contest, waterpark

Kings Island opens the gates to one of the Midwest’s largest Halloween attractions today.

The Mason park’s no-holds-barred Halloween Haunt opens on weekend nights from Sept. 23 through Oct. 29.

• See bloodcurdling photos of Halloween Haunt through the years

New this year are two thriller mazes, Holiday Horror in Planet Snoopy and Mysteria in Coney Maul, and fear zone Nightmare Alley, also in Planet Snoopy.

More than 500 ghastly creatures will haunt the park, with 13 frightful attractions to appeal to those of all fright levels, including Massacre Manor at Coney Maul, Slaughter House, Tombstone Terror-Tory, Urgent Scare, Wolf Pack and nightclub-style Club Blood.

Eight indoor haunted mazes are also sure to delight fans of things that go bump in the night. Live entertainment shows will also be offered, such as the Hot Blooded live stage show and back by popular demand, the Half Pint Brawlers, a “midget wrestling” act.

For the faint of heart, no worries. Dozens of KI’s most popular rides will be open, including many of its hair-raising roller coasters and Windseeker thrill ride, along with other less heart attack-inducing rides such as the Zephyr, Scrambler, Monster, Dodgem and The Crypt.

Halloween Haunt hours are 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturdays. The park’s other rides and attractions open at 11 a.m. on Saturdays only.

Beware: Halloween Haunt is not recommended for young children.  Two kid-friendly Halloween events, the all-new Trick-or-Treat with the Dinosaurs and Howl-O-Fest, open Oct 1.

Discount tickets are $24.99 on Friday nights and $29.99 on Saturdays when purchased in advance at www.visitkingsisland.com/haunt. Regular ticket prices are $36.99 on Fridays and $52.99 on Saturdays. College students can purchase tickets on Fridays at the gate for $24.99 upon presenting a valid college ID.

Enter online to win two free tickets and Fright Lane passes to the Opening Night of Halloween Haunt by signing up for KI’s newsletter.

Kings Island is at 6300 Kings Island Drive in Mason and can be reached at 513-754-5700 or at www.visitkingsisland.com.

Will you go to KI’s Halloween Haunt? What’s your favorite ghostly attraction there?

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, attractions, club blood, halloween, halloween haunt, haunted house, indoor haunted maze, kings island, mason, rides