MasonBuzz.com

Visitors both local and from afar cool off at Kings Island’s new Soak City water park.  The Mason amusement park debuted its recently expanded and renovated water park this season for its 40th anniversary season.  Soak City is included as part of park admission.  The park is open daily through Aug. 26.  The Enquirer’s Leigh Taylor captured these shots of park-goers cooling off and splashing around.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, kings island, mason, photos, soak city, water park, waterpark

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

More than 40 body-board riders helped raise more than $1,000 for the Karen Wellington Foundation for Living with Breast Cancer Wednesday at Kings Island.

The fundraising event was part of the Fourth of July All-American Surf’s Up tournament at the Mason amusement park’s new Soak City water park.

Wave-seekers paid a $25 registration cost to ride KI’s Pipeline Paradise, with trophies and prizes awarded to the top three in different categories.

Friends and family of Karen Wellington helped establish the foundation after the Hyde Park woman died of breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 40.  The organization seeks to promote the quality of life for women with breast cancer and their families.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Community, Kings Island, News |

Tags: Tags: charity, fundraising, hyde park, karen wellington foundation for living with breast cancer, kings island, pipeline paradise, soak city, water park

Kings Island is celebrating veterans this Fourth of July with special military discounts.

Active and retired military personnel can enjoy free admission to the Mason amusement park July 3-5 and have the chance to purchase up to six discounted tickets for family members at $29.99 each when they show their military ID or DD form 214 at ticket windows.

This includes admission to KI’s new Soak City water park.  The $10 million water park expansion doubles its size to 33 acres and features new amenities and attractions, including a new second wave pool, sand volleyball courts, three times more chairs and open grass for lounging.

• Soak City water park debuts at Kings Island

The offer is part of KI’s Tribute to the Armed Forces program, which offers discounts to military personnel over the Memorial Day and July 4 holidays.

The park, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary season, is open daily through Aug. 26.  For more information, call 800-288-0808 or go to www.visitkingsisland.com.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Community, Kings Island, News |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, cedar fair, fourth of july, free admission, july 4, kings island, mason, military, soak city, veterans

Summer is heating up in Mason.  Near-record temperatures are expected on Thursday, with forecasters calling for a high of around 101 degrees.  No worries.  Here are eight ways to beat the heat in Mason without clinging to your AC unit.

Mason Community Center
6050 Mason-Montgomery Road, 513-229-8555, www.imaginemason.org

Cool off at the Mason Community Center’s indoor pools.  The center offers a leisure pool complete with water playground, spray geysers, lazy river/vortex, tot slide and a twisting, three-story water flume slide or swim laps in the center’s 25-meter by 25-yard competition pool.  The center also offers a wide array of aquatic fitness programs and swim lessons after which you can relax in its 5,900-gallon whirlpool.   Three levels of membership are offered: Basic memberships begin at $52 for adults, with family discounts available.  Or purchase a day pass at $20 for adults and $10 youth/seniors.

Lou Eves Municipal Pool
Corwin M. Nixon Park, 6249 Mason-Montgomery Road, 513-229-8553, www.imaginemason.org

Even though it may be a scorcher outside, you’re sure to stay cool at the Lou Eves Municipal Pool.  Amenities at the recently upgraded city pool include a climbing wall, water slide, baby pool, children’s play area and snack bar.  Regular resident passes are $73 adults; $45 youth and senior citizens and $128 for families.  Daily resident admission is $5.50 adults and $4.50 youth and seniors.  Additional cost for non-residents, with special prices available for people who work in Mason but don’t live there.  Children ages 3 and under are free.  Daily pass rates are discounted 50 percent after 5 p.m.

Kings Island
6300 Kings Island Drive, 513-754-5700, www.visitkingsisland.com

Dive into the fun at Kings Island’s all new and expanded Soak City water park.  The $10 million expansion doubles the water park’s size to 33 acres and features new amenities and attractions, including a 650,000-gallon wave pool, sand volleyball courts, three times more chairs and open grass for lounging.  Or stay cool on one of KI’s 13 thrill rides.    Soak City is included in the cost of park admission.  Season passes start at $99.99 for adults and $72.99 for juniors; daily admission available for $36.99 for adults and $32.99 for children (online only).

Great Wolf Lodge
2501 Great Wolf Drive, 513-459-8885, www.greatwolf.com

You’re sure to keep your cool in this 84-degree indoor water park, which features 93,000 square feet of indoor entertainment space.  Attractions include the 79,000-square-foot Bear Track Landing water park, with 12 waterslides, six pools and 100 lifeguards; more than 100 video games in the resort arcade; four restaurants and cafes and nightly fireside storytimes.  The park is open to registered guests; standard suite prices begin at $229.99.

Mason Public Library
200 Reading Road, 513-398-2711, www.masonpl.lib.oh.us

Looking for a free way to beat the heat?  Check out the Mason Public Library.  Chill out in the library’s air conditioning with a good book or take park in one of the library’s programs for adults and children.  Adult programs include reading programs, discussion groups and Whole Foods classes.  Children can take part in weekly story times, games, summer reading programs or read to a therapy dog.  All programs are free and open to the public.

Regal Cinemas
5500 Deerfield Blvd., 513-770-0964, www.regmovies.com

Grab some friends and popcorn and check out one of the summer’s blockbuster hits at Regal Cinemas in Deerfield Township.  Movie theaters always crank up the air-conditioning (you may even need a light sweater), so going should keep you out of the sun for at least two hours and keep you nice and cool.  Ticket prices range from $7.50 for matinee showings to $10 for evening showings.

Tucker’s Whippy Dip
127 East Main Street, 513-459-7966.

This popular ice cream shop has had many incarnations throughout its more than 50-year history, but pleasing crowds has remained a constant.  Nothing says summertime like biting into a creamy mound of soft serve covered with sprinkles or a hard chocolate shell  Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry . . . it’s all good.

Graeter’s
5076 Natorp Blvd., 513-339-0140, www.graeters.com

Dig into summer with a cone or sundae at this Cincinnati-based ice cream parlor chain.  Graeter’s, which is popular for such irresistible flavor combinations like Elena’s Blueberry Pie and Buckeye Blitz, recently released the first of two mystery flavors slated for 2012: Cake Batter Fudge Brownie.   Or try some of the chain’s handmade chocolates and confections or baked goods.  Bon appétit.

Posted in: Community, News |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, aquatics, corwin m. nixon park, deerfield township, graeters, great wolf lodge, heat, ice cream, indoor waterpark, kings island, lou eves municipal pool, mason, mason community center, mason public library, parlor, pool, regal cinemas, soak city, tucker's whippy dip, water, water slide, weather

Visiting Kings Island? There’s now an app for that.

The Mason amusement park released a new mobile phone app for iPhone and Android that will enhance visitors’ experiences, park officials say.

The free app allows users to purchase general admission tickets that can then be scanned through a barcode at the front gate. Users can then the free app to better explore the 364-acre park and its more than 80 rides, shows and attractions.

The app’s friend finder function allows guests to keep track of their friends and family by creating a pin which can track members of their party.

The app can also be used to find out operating hours for Kings Island and the new Soak City water park, show times, upcoming events and social media sites.

To download, go to iTunes or the Google Play Store and search for “Kings Island.”

The park, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary season, is open daily through Aug. 26.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: 40th anniversary, amusement park, android, app, itunes, ki, kings island, mason, smartphone, soak city, tickets, visitors

The Enquirer

From the Taste of Cincinnati to Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson show, there’s a ton to do this weekend. Here are some ideas so you can start planning early.

Michael Jackson Cirque show. Photo provided

May 24: Smart Talk with Andie MacDowell
7:30 p.m., Aronoff Center, Procter & Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Downtown.
Performance lecture series. Pre-show and free hors d’oeuvres for series subscribers. Doors open 6:30 p.m.
Andie MacDowell, actress, presents “Acting As A Way of Life.” $25-$85. Five-show subscriptions and three-show sampler packages available. Reservations required. 513-621-2787 |• Get tickets

May 25: Michael Jackson Cirque show
8 p.m., U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway, Downtown.
Tour takes place in a fantastical realm where fans discover Michael Jackson’s love of music, dance fairy tale, magic and the fragile beauty of nature.
$50-$250; plus fees. 800-745-3000 | Get tickets |• More information

May 25-28: Memorial Day weekend
There are a bunch of events going on all around the region. Here are a few of note:

• • Air races
• • Greater Cincinnati Memorial Day Dog Show
• • Memorial Re-Dedication and Flag Raising Ceremony
• • Tonic’s Memorial Day Weekend Bash
• • Memorial hike
• • Riverboat block party

For more events such as ceremonies and parades, search our calendar.

May 24-27: The Dream is Real weekend
11 p.m.-4 a.m. Saturday, 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Sunday, Skatin’ Place, 3211 Lina Place, Colerain Township.
Skate until the wheels come off. Hosted by Ohio State Representative Alicia Reece, D-Cincinnati. Part of the Dream Is Real Weekend. Ages 21 and up. Amazing Skate Part II. $15, $12 advance. 513-522-2424
More events:

• • The Dream Is Real Nati Happy Hour
•  Save the Dream All White Party
• • The Dream Is Real Weekend Family Fest Block Party

More information

Lucian Huddleson, 2, of Maineville leaps over a wave at Kings Island's new Soak City waterpark. The Enquirer/Rachel Richardson

May 25-26: MadLove Music Festival
5-11 p.m., Sawyer Point, Pete Rose Way, Downtown.
Food vendors, local beer from Hudephol and Christian Moerlein, climbing wall, a wall of expression, local wrestlers, comedians, circus performers and entertainment. More than 35 acts on two stages including thee national music performers. Rain or shine.
Scheduled to appear: Twenty One Pilots, Monty Benjamin, Those Guys, the Lions Rampant, Neon Medusa, the Amphibians, the Skeetones, Jake the Ripper, Manic Focus featuring Lisa Lottie, DJ Deepro, DJ Sinceer, Spark Tabor, Chip Denallen and others.
$20 for two-day pass; one-day pass: $20 Saturday, $15 Friday. 513-430-9098 | Get tickets

May 26: Soak City opens11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Kings Island.
The $10 million water park expansion doubles its size to 33 acres and features new amenities and attractions, including a new second wave pool, sand volleyball courts, three times more chairs and open grass for lounging.
Soak City has a new entrance where patrons can purchase tickets. Kings Island added new rentable cabanas with flat screen televisions and waiter service. | Get tickets and more information

May 26: Exhale Dance Tribe: Imprint
8 p.m., Aronoff Center, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown.
Performance shows how we leave our imprint on the world each time we cross paths through friendship, love and life. Family friendly. Presented by Exhale Dance Tribe.
$32.50. 513-621-2787 | More information

May 26-28: Taste of Cincinnati USA
Noon-midnight Saturday and Sunday, noon-9 p.m. Monday, Downtown Cincinnati, Downtown Cincinnati, Downtown. On six blocks of Fifth Street, from Race to Broadway.
Food from more than 40 Greater Cincinnati restaurants. Music on multiple stages. Free. 513-579-3100• More information

• • Taste of Cincinnati quiz
• • Photos: 2012 Taste menu
• • Metromix stage at 2012 Taste
• • Photos: Taste through the years

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

Tags: Tags: air races, alicia reece, aronoff center, cincinnati, dog show, downtown, exhale dance tribe, flag raising, imprimt, kings island, madlove music festival, mason, memorial day, memorial hike, michael jackson cirque show, riverboat block party, sawyer point, skatin' place, smart talk with andie macdowell, soak city, taste of cincinnati usa, the dream is real weekend, u.s. bank arena, water park, weekend

Kings Island’s new Soak City water park is making waves.

The Mason amusement park is holding a special VIP preview event this weekend for gold and platinum season passholders.  Soak City opens to the public on May 26.

“It’s fabulous,” said Heidi Cartzendafner of Morrow.  ”It’s like you’re at the beach but with no sand.”

• Photos: Kings Island unveils Soak City water park
• Photos: Construction photos of Soak City

The $10 million water park expansion doubles its size to 33 acres and features new amenities and attractions, including a new second wave pool, sand volleyball courts, three times more chairs and open grass for lounging.

The 650,000-gallon Tidal Wave Bay pool is among the most popular of the new attractions, said KI spokesman Don Helbig.

Helbig said the original wave pool is kind of a mild thrill experience with the waves being just a couple of feet tall. The new one has waves higher than 4 feet and is much more “aggressive,” he said.

Tubes will be allowed in the new wave pool. They’re not allowed in the original one.

The park’s lazy river is no longer so lazy. It’s now billed as an action river with new cascading rock wall waterfall features, turbulent water effects and other features. The river has a zero-depth entry which it didn’t have previously. The river is still the same size at more than 2,000 feet long. Swimmers ride in tubes.

Soak City has a new entrance where patrons can purchase tickets. Kings Island added new rentable cabanas with flat screen televisions and waiter service.

The water park features more than 50 water activities, including 30 water slides.  Many existing water rides and shops have gotten more vibrant coats of paint.

The expansion comes as the park celebrates its 40th anniversary season.  Kings Island does not charge extra admission for the water park. Guests can go back and forth between the water park and the amusement park.

“To a lot of our guests, it does feel like it’s a whole new experience,” said Helbig.  ”[Soak City] is off to a great start.”

Soak City hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  For more information, go to visitkingsisland.com.

Staff reporter Paul McKibben contributed

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: boomerang bay, cedar fair, don helbig, expanded, kings island, mason, sand volleyball, soak city, tidal wave bay, water park, waterpark

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