INSIDE: TM & ©2014 Amusement Today, Inc. Knott’s preserves fruit spread tradition — PAGE 42 July 2014 | Vol. 18 • Issue 4 www.amusementtoday.com Kentucky Kingdom returns with successful re-opening STORY: Tim Baldwin
[email protected] LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fol- lowing a preview weekend, Kentucky Kingdom reopened its gates, and residents of Lou- isville could once again enjoy amusement park thrills in their hometown. Dormant since 2010, rumors circulated for years with various proposals surfacing to reopen the park. Finally, a new life for the park officially began on May 24, 2014. Returning fans, or those who were simply curi- ous, found much among the line-up to offer brand new fam- ily fun. Top row, l to r: Overbanked turns and airtime hills thrill riders on the new Lightning Run roller coaster from Chance Rides. Guests control their own ride the Larson-built Professor John’s Flying Machines. Bottom row, l to r: Zamperla’s new Rock-A- The past Bye swings ride takes the old porch swing to a whole new level. Guests can choose from three different water slide experi- There aren’t many parks ences on the Wikiwiki slide complex from ProSlide. AT/GARY SLADE & TIM BALDWIN that have quite the storied past claimed by Kentucky Kingdom. Its actual origins began in 1987, as a small group of inves- tors wished to develop leased Hart property on the Kentucky State Fairgrounds into more of a regional amusement park. A small assortment of rides occupied 10 acres, but the venture only lasted a year before falling into financial ruin.