This Friday a project that was a conglomerate of KICentral, Kings Island, WCET Cincinnati and many of the greatest minds responsible for what Kings Island is today will finally be unveiled! "Riding History to the Limits" is a full length feature presentation which was produced, directed, edited and hosted by CET's Nate Byrum.

“Riding History to the Limits”

As early as 1964, the design and concept of a groundbreaking amusement park was growing in the mind of an ambitious young man by the name of Gary Wachs. Until this time modern amusement parks were leaving roller coasters and other thrill rides out of their parks. Gary Wachs knew that bringing back the thrill to amusement parks was a path that would be as profitable as it was popular in the future of entertainment. After a five year struggle, Gary finally got to see his dream materialize and eventually opened to the public in 1972, Kings Island.

In this program, we sit down with Gary to learn first hand how Kings Island went from a glimmer in Gary’s eye, to the multi-million dollar park it is today. We will tell you how Gary brought back the rollercoaster to parks in the United States, and how Disney played a roll in the birth of this park. Kings Island has set a precedent in the American amusement park industry and has given millions of park goer’s memories that will last a lifetime.

This program combines old film footage, photographs taken by Rick Norton and other patrons of the park, and new footage.

Interviews include: Gary Wachs, Dennis Speigel, Charles Meechem, Jack Rouse, Don Helbig, Carmen Electra, Walter and Nancy Duff, Barry Williams, and Michael Lookingland. Hosted by Nate Byrum

This 90 minute long presentation will be available on WCET's web site, CETConnect.org beginning this Friday, August 28th. Make sure you grab a cup of coffee, grab your most comfortable computer chair and log into KICentral this Friday for a link this gold mine of information!

Will this be shown on TV as well?

Fantastic news! I'm excited to watch this!

Will this be shown on TV as well?

Yes, but likely not until the Spring.

You guys will absolutely flip when you see this. This isn't a regular "Park opened in '72, Top Gun was Built in '93" deal - this is the REAL DEAL. This is how Kings Island came to be from the people who helped build it. There are facts and information in this video that will knock your socks off!

That's truly exciting. I've always wanted a KI documentary.

Will this be an HD feature?

That's truly exciting. I've always wanted a KI documentary.

Will this be an HD feature?

Sure will.

Excellent! Is there any better way to witness the history of Kings Island?

Wonderful! I felt like I was going to explode waiting for this announcement, and it seems that now I feel that way even more.

// I'm guessing there'll be a lot of information about Coney Island on this video too?

Awesome! Can't wait til Friday when they post it on their website!

Ryan, I got excited about this when me, you, and Jesse talked about it at the KIC event on Saturday.

The only problem I'm going to have watching this is getting Zoomtown to play ball.

Wonderful! I felt like I was going to explode waiting for this announcement, and it seems that now I feel that way even more.

// I'm guessing there'll be a lot of information about Coney Island on this video too?

Yep -- tons. It mainly deals the transition of Coney Island to Kings Island, as well as the early planning stages of Kings Island. It has photos and footage in it that I had never known existed.

Fantastic news!

Truly exciting.

Excellent!

Wonderful!

Awesome!

Seems there's a lot of excitement going around!

OH MAN!!!, This is great!!!!

Now if we arent home friday, will it be available after then?

OH MAN!!!, This is great!!!!

Now if we arent home friday, will it be available after then?

Of course it will! We'll have a link on KIC into the indefinite future.

I can't wait!

I love history, and Kings Island.

Best of both worlds!

I'll be sitting down with my eggs and sausage first thing Friday morning to watch!

Hey Kings Island lovers, this is Nate Byrum, host of the Kings Island documentary "Riding History to the Limits". I'm glad to see everyone is excited about this program. We are scheduled to launch on Friday for the web. This is the full length version that will be launching on Friday. A broadcast version will be be coming next spring, but will be a shortened version. I will be editing and looking for closed captioning funding this winter. The good news is that it will be broadcast in HD. The recent footage I shot in HD but the documentary mixes images of photography, 8mm, and old betacam video footage. I have been working on the project since August 2008, because the park means so much to me and patrons like yourselves. PBS loves to give the public local shows that they will enjoy! I did not have a script and did not know what I would find when I started this journey, but I followed a story that became more and more interesting as I peeled the layers back and uncovered the heart of Kings Island. I hope all of you enjoy the program, and remember there are many ways YOU can support public television!

Sincerly,

Nate Byrum

WCET-TV Cincinnati

Thanks, Nate! It has been a pleasure to do my little part in this project. I'm absolutely positive that they'll all love it.

Can't wait to watch it. I am sure it will bring back many wonderful memories of when I was a kid at both Coney and KI.

Now will this be playing in dayton in the spring?

Just finished the synopsis of all of the sections, here they are:

Segment 1 you have posted

Segment 2

Breaking Ground

In this segment of Riding History to the Limits Gary Wachs and Dennis Speigel discuss the overall design of the park. Gary and Dennis discuss the purchase of a cornfield in rural Warren County, the design of different areas of the park, and the routing of traffic to and from the park from the newly formed Interstate-71.

Segment 3

International Appeal

In this segment of Riding History to the Limits we explore the birth of International Street at Kings Island. Gary Wachs talks about the new pay one price admission system, inspiration for the buildings on international street and live shows at Kings Island. Dennis Speigel discusses the designer of International Street, the fountain, and the Eiffel Tower. We are also introduced to Walter and Nancy Duff, employees who met at Kings Island, and Jack Rouse who coordinated live shows. Don Helbig tells us about the many celebrities who have worked at Kings Island.

Segment 4

Opening day 1972

In this segment of Riding History to the Limits Gary Wachs and Dennis Speigel discuss the Chaotic opening day in 1972, the financial projections for the first season, and the mid-season rush of park patrons.

Segment 5

Coney Mall

In this segment of Riding History to the Limits we take a look at Coney Mall, the newly developed reproduction of Coney Island, to be built at Kings Island. Gary Wachs speaks about his meeting with John Allen and the design and construction of The Racer rollercoaster. Dennis and Gary discuss other rides at Coney Mall, and Dennis Speigel and Don Helbig talk about the Brady Bunch episode filmed at Kings Island in 1973.

Segment 6

Name that Toon

In this segment of Riding History to the Limits we take a look back at the most popular and expensive ride at Kings Island. Gary Wachs and Dennis Speigel tell how working closely with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera, made this part of the park the most unique attraction in this region. Other rides in Hanna Barbera land are discussed, and Don Helbig talks about the transition to Nickelodeon Universe.

Segment 7

Rivertown

In this segment of Riding History to the Limits we find out what spawned the idea of this historic section of the park. Gary Wachs and Dennis Speigel speak about the original rides in Rivertown. While Walter and Nancy Duff, along with Dennis Speigel, speak of the creature that grew out of the woods in 1979.

Segment 8

Two Beers, Please

In this segment of Riding History to the Limits we look back at the almost extinct Oktoberfest section of the park. Dennis Speigel and Gary Wachs speak of the festivities in this area, while Walter and Nancy Duff reminisce about the rides of Oktoberfest.

Segment 9

Wild and Untamed

In the last segment of Riding History to the Limits we discuss the wild Animal Safari, Timberwolf, and the first launch coaster, the Screamon Deamon. Don Helbig talks about other attractions that have come to the park since the opening in 1972 like Winterfest, the water park, and Halloween Haunt. Gary Wachs reflects back on his creation.

Now will this be playing in dayton in the spring?

Think TV and CET are one company since we merged last winter. Both cities have their own stations but we operate together under the umbrella title Public Media Connect. Anything we create in Cincinnati can be used for broadcast in Dayton also.

what about indiana area, and will there be a place where i can purchase it on video/dvd?

what about indiana area, and will there be a place where i can purchase it on video/dvd?

Yep, I will watch it on the web, but after that, being in Columbus, I may not see it on TV.

A DVD would be a sure purchase for me.

what about indiana area, and will there be a place where i can purchase it on video/dvd?

I am hoping next spring after we see how well it does in broadcast. If the program is popular and well received, we would then have copys made and with a donation to CET or Think TV they would be a gift to that donor in appreciation for their support. The DVD's should be in BlueRay because the program is HD. Otherwise the website is an alternative for watching but of course no HD on the web, sorry.

do bluray's work in norm. dvd players or computers that play dvd's?

rotag, who still has a dvd/vhs combo and doesnt want to bump up because of price.

do bluray's work in norm. dvd players or computers that play dvd's?

rotag, who still has a dvd/vhs combo and doesnt want to bump up because of price.

nope gotta have a blue ray player.

I think the X-Box 360 has a blue ray player built in.

Them or PS2.

I know one does. If you are a gamer, check those out.

last game thingy i bought was eather an attari, or gameboy color.

I can't wait! I'm excited!!!

The Playstation 3 gaming system has a built in Blu-Ray player. The XBOX 360 does not.

You can also get standalone Blu-Ray players at your favorite electronics store.

Blu-Ray players will also play standard DVD's and will up-convert them to HD.

If you decide to make copies of this documentary and sell them, count me in!

Now what time will this air

As stated before, it will be available online here. Ryan will also post a link to it here on KIC.

Hope that helps!