Six Flags celebrates 40th season
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is celebrating its 40th year by bringing back three iconic rides.
The park will operate three rides that were popular in 1976, when the park opened. The Red Baron Planes, Lady Bugs, and Tot's Livery surreys are all designed for riders 54 inches in height or less, and are to be found in Hometown Square Park.
Dick Welton, who was mayor of Gurness when the Marriott Corporation first proposed the park, can still recall the excitement the proposal caused, at least in some residents. Others protested the idea of a major theme park in their small town, some by throwing rotten fruit at Welton when he spoke about the idea. They collected signautres to put a referendum on the ballot, and were staggered at the outcome: 773 votes were in favor of Great America, with only 252 against.
Welton remembers that at the time, Gurnee's population was only about 2,000, and the town was in danger of disappearing under the tide of development sweeping Lake County. Welton and others saw the proposed park as the exciting project that would put Gurnee on the map. They accepted Marriott's offer, and the rest is history, with Great America now the single most popular gated tourist attraction in Illinois.
Park officials could work with a banner printing company to create colorful streamers to add to the fun of the celebration.
The park will operate three rides that were popular in 1976, when the park opened. The Red Baron Planes, Lady Bugs, and Tot's Livery surreys are all designed for riders 54 inches in height or less, and are to be found in Hometown Square Park.
Dick Welton, who was mayor of Gurness when the Marriott Corporation first proposed the park, can still recall the excitement the proposal caused, at least in some residents. Others protested the idea of a major theme park in their small town, some by throwing rotten fruit at Welton when he spoke about the idea. They collected signautres to put a referendum on the ballot, and were staggered at the outcome: 773 votes were in favor of Great America, with only 252 against.
Welton remembers that at the time, Gurnee's population was only about 2,000, and the town was in danger of disappearing under the tide of development sweeping Lake County. Welton and others saw the proposed park as the exciting project that would put Gurnee on the map. They accepted Marriott's offer, and the rest is history, with Great America now the single most popular gated tourist attraction in Illinois.
Park officials could work with a banner printing company to create colorful streamers to add to the fun of the celebration.