BoddaH1994 Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 It may have rained on Kings Island’s parade this 4th of July, but it didn’t put a damper on the incredible live entertainment lineup that was offered at the park on Independence Day! Following a short rain delay, Rick Wallenda of the Flying Wallendas made an amazing walk over International Street in front of thousands of onlookers. The walk took about 20 minutes as Wallenda had predicted. Less than an hour after completing the first walk, Wallenda did it again… except this time he double the distance. He began at the Eiffel Tower and slowly paced his way over the International Bandstand, over the Royal Fountain, over the International Restaurant and into the main plaza area for a distance of 1000ft. It wasn’t over yet. Rick Wallenda’s grandfather, the legendary Karl Wallenda, had walked 1800’ over Coney Mall on a high wire in 1975 and Rick was determined to break his grandfather’s record. Upon reaching the end of the high wire, Rick Wallenda immediately turned around and began the long journey back to the Eiffel Tower. “Stabilize the ropes!” Wallenda yelled to the people on the ground who were holding anchored ropes intended to keep his main high wire from making dangerous lateral movements. Unlike the rowdiness Robbie Knievel’s jump in May, Wallenda requested silence for the roughly 40 minutes that he performed his skywalk. The park was eerily quiet with the exception of some slight whispers and the serene roar of the Royal Fountain. Onlookers began to cheer prematurely as Wallenda made the final steps to the Eiffel Tower. “Quiet please!” pleaded Wallenda, “I’m almost there!” Upon reaching the Eiffel Tower, Rick Wallenda was treated to a roaring ovation as he threw his arms in the air in celebration of his personal victory. A loud pyrotechnic explosion followed and streamers ascended down from the tower to the onlookers below. As much of an exhilarating experience as that was, it wasn’t all that Kings Island had to offer this 4th of July. The Kings Island Clown Band made another appearance at the park and roamed International Street playing some old time favorite songs. The Clown Band was accompanied by many mimes, jugglers and street performers. The day ended with a bang as Kings Island and Rozzy’s Famous Fireworks presented an amazing fireworks spectacular! The booms and colors of the fireworks complemented a beautiful lighting display projected onto the Eiffel Tower. Click here to see photos of Kings Island’s 4th of July Star Spanged Celebration! Spirit Song, a contemporary Christian music festival, will make its 15th appearance at Kings Island’s Timberwolf Theatre on July 10, 11 and 12th. Acts featured this year include Newsboys, Toby Mac, Casting Crowns, Red and many more! Tickets are available on Kings Island’s official web site, visitkingsisland.com! Come start your day with some of your favorite Nickelodeon friends and feast on a wholesome breakfast of scrambled eggs, french toast sticks, bacon, sausage, fresh cut fruit, assorted cereal, milk, orange juice, and coffee! Plus, with each order you will receive one 8x10 glossy color photo to remember this unique experience! Click here to add this meal deal to your admission ticket for an everyday low price! Hurry! Space is limited! Speaking of great meal deals at Kings Island, the Backyard BBQ is in full swing! This all you can eat picnic-style meal complete with Southern Fried Chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, unlimited soft drinks and ice cream treats! The Backyard BBQ will have extended hours on the 4th of July from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. Hurry! Space is limited! Purchase advance tickets to the Backyard BBQ by clicking here. Kings Island has partnered with the Great Wolf Lodge and the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau to give away 30 prizes in 30 days! Between June 16 and July 15th, 2008, a special prize package will be awarded that includes a family four pack of two-day tickets to Kings Island, a three day two night stay at the Great Wolf Lodge and a gas card. To win one of these 30 amazing prizes visit www.ohioslargestplayground.com/win. Do you want the latest information sent directly to your cell phone? Sign up for KICentral's official mobile club and receive text alerts with the latest news and information about Kings Island! Signing up is fast and free! Click here for more information about KICentral's official mobile club! The summer is still young and it's not too late to get a Kings Island season pass! Purchasing a season pass gets you a whole summer of rides, shows, attractions and FREE admission to Boomerang Bay Waterpark Resort. Do you want the real deal? Kings Island now offers the new Cedar Fair Platinum Pass which includes FREE admission and FREE parking to all Cedar Fair properties such as Kings Island, Cedar Point, Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom, Knott's Berry Farm and more! Click here for more information and to order your 2008 season pass! Is a season pass not right for you? Avoid the long lines and pay only a fraction of the regular gate admission by purchasing your single day admission tickets on the park's official web site, VisitKingsIsland.com. Remember these deals are ONLY available through the web site, so purchase online and print at home for the best value and fastest way to experience Kings Island! Are you an avid Kings Island fan or do you casually visit once a year? It doesn't matter! KICentral.com is the site for you. Why not register on the forums of KICentral and tell us about your thoughts and experiences involving Kings Island! Registration is fast, FREE, and easy. Don't forget to keep checking KICentral.com for the latest news, rumors and information about Kings Island amusement park! Regards, Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeLorean Rider Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Did they cease ride operations during those 40 minutes? After all, you cant keep people from screaming on drop zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted July 6, 2008 Author Share Posted July 6, 2008 Invertigo, or "That loud yellow thing" as Wallenda called it, was not operating during the walks. Other rides in the park did operate including Drop Zone. I guess it's just a matter of distance, but I can tell you that from the Bandstand, the park might have just as well been closed that day (sans the fountains being on). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Yeah. It was eerily quite on International Street, at least up on the bandstand. I have never heard the park that quite when it is open! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOPGUN1993 Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 I heard they had to order Viking Fury to shut down, when he was walking due to the loud "clanking" noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ki Man Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 I was upset about how many rides closed around 8:30 for the darn fireworks! I didn't think they were anything special. What's special? Seeing them and about 5 other shows in the distance from the top of SoB. I think it was the best bday present to myself...absolutely breath taking. -Zach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcbtwo Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I have been going to KI since it opened in 72 and I must say, I will never be there on the 4th of July again!! I usually go to Cedar Point during the 4th because it is typically dead, and I will go back next year!!! I have never seen so much line jumping, especially in the SOB line!!! It seemed to me that the park employees were more concerned about smoking in line then line jumping, very upsetting, especially after waiting an hour to ride. There was 3 incidents of fights while we were there, no draft beer, too many unruly kids and no parents to be found, and someone stole our cup that we just bought for $6.99. On top of that, I saw better fireworks in Downtown Dayton this year then those so called "biggest in 36 years" that only lasted 15 minutes and the music did not match. Very big disappointment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Enjoy Cedar Point next year. From reports I have heard from friends who were there, it was wall to wall people on the Fourth. The days of empty Cedar Fair parks on the Fourth of July (absent truly terrible weather) are over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I have been going to KI since it opened in 72 and I must say, I will never be there on the 4th of July again!! I usually go to Cedar Point during the 4th because it is typically dead, and I will go back next year!!! I have never seen so much line jumping, especially in the SOB line!!! It seemed to me that the park employees were more concerned about smoking in line then line jumping, very upsetting, especially after waiting an hour to ride. There was 3 incidents of fights while we were there, no draft beer, too many unruly kids and no parents to be found, and someone stole our cup that we just bought for $6.99. On top of that, I saw better fireworks in Downtown Dayton this year then those so called "biggest in 36 years" that only lasted 15 minutes and the music did not match. Very big disappointment! 15 Minutes? Nope, 30 minute shows were the longest I can remember at the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 They didn't say the longest fireworks show, they said the "biggest." Them were some big fireworks, son! Some of those shells were humongous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 They didn't say the longest fireworks show, they said the "biggest." Them were some big fireworks, son! Some of those shells were humongous! I actually had thought about that. Maybe the 10 Year Anniversary shows used smaller shells. ... [edit] or maybe they used bigger fuses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketingExpress Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 There was 3 incidents of fights while we were there, no draft beer Well you should be glad that there was no draft beer because there may have been more fights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 There was 3 incidents of fights while we were there, no draft beer Well you should be glad that there was no draft beer because there may have been more fights. How do you suppose? Statistics? Facts behind that statement or is it just opinion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketingExpress Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 just an opinion considering that some grow "beer muscles" when they drink, doing and saying stuff they normally wouldn't. PLus, the number of people, and it was muggy a good combination for people to get agitated easily. I am just saying that it could have been worse then it was made out to be. Good to see that the employees were enforcing the smoking policy though, I know that has been a complaint on these forums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 There was 3 incidents of fights while we were there, no draft beer Well you should be glad that there was no draft beer because there may have been more fights. How do you suppose? Statistics? Facts behind that statement or is it just opinion? I think there may actully be a proven correlation between draft beer and rowdy crowds. Probably people consume more than if they have cans or bottles. I know a guy who opened a club about a year ago and elected not to serve draft beer because he "didn't want to draw that type of crowd." Could be a prejudice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Are there more Wallenda's or Brady's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabelogan99 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Here's the right link for the Backyard BBQ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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