Coney Islander Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 This is not meant to become a political debate... I just thought it was too funny! Maybe it's just a coincidence, but it seems Greater Cincinnati's two big amusement parks cater to different party loyalties. One Island seems to lean Democratic; the other Republican. Coney Island, for example, hosts the annual AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic - a major event for local Democrats. Last year, of course, President Obama himself made an appearance (though due to threatened rain, it had to be moved next door to PNC Pavilion.) Meanwhile Kings Island hosts Fox News Channel conservative Sean Hannity and his Freedom Concerts every year. And now the Tea Party plans a day of rides and speeches at the park... http://cincinnati.co...musement-parks/ The comments are intriguing, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel_SoB_fan Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Both events happened over a month ago at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill_Biscuit Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 ...and yet, Coney Island has a traditional, grand-old-days feel, as if the park is conserving its heritage; whilst: Kings Island has evolved into a more progressively modern park, with a more liberal selection of musical ambiance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 KI also hosted a gay/lesbian day. Not exactly conservative. I wouldn't think alot of tea partiers showed up for that. I was there the day of the Hannity show. Again not trying to be political, but the vibe in the park that day was noticably not as pleasant as it usually was because of the crowd that came to see him. They all seemed angry and kind of walking around in a huff. I remember thinking, "How in the hell can you walk around KI mad about politics? Your in an incredible amusement park for God's sake, Give it a rest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Basically, I think that either park (Kings Island in particular because of its more corporate-friendly atmosphere & leadership) will gladly host just about anybody who will pay the right price. Be it gay & lesbian guests on a particular evening; politically & socially conservative visitors the next; sometimes families; sometimes teens. And really, I think it's an entirely different crowd that they try to maintain relations with during Halloween Haunt. That's true of most parks, I think... If the Democrats wanted to buy out Kings Island for a day, I certainly imagine Mr. Kinzel and co would not turn up their noses at their money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 KI also hosted a gay/lesbian day. Not exactly conservative. I wouldn't think alot of tea partiers showed up for that. I was there the day of the Hannity show. Again not trying to be political, but the vibe in the park that day was noticably not as pleasant as it usually was because of the crowd that came to see him. They all seemed angry and kind of walking around in a huff. I remember thinking, "How in the hell can you walk around KI mad about politics? Your in an incredible amusement park for God's sake, Give it a rest! KI doesn't host gay pride night. GLBT of Cincy hosts and rents out the park for the night. You would be surprise who shows up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 KI doesn't host gay pride night. GLBT of Cincy hosts and rents out the park for the night. You would be surprise who shows up If my friend (GLBT Cincinnati) wants to have a party, he may ask me (Kings Island) to host it. It doesn't mean it's my party, but I'm the host, because I welcome his (GLBT) friends into my home(/park). Kings Island has the opportunity to say "No" to the events that want to rent out the park. For these particular instances, they said "Yes." Probably for financial reasons, but they are hosting, right? Again, I don't see it as a partisan separation of the parks. I see it as Kings Island just renting out the park to most anyone who offers to pay for it. And as a Northeast Ohioan, I have to mention the stereotype that Southwestern Ohio is, to say the least, conservative. May be incorrect, but that's how we think of it up here... Haha. My friends and I always know we've entered "Southern Ohio" when we pass a giant billboard of the 10 Commandments reading "HELL IS REAL" on the side of I-71. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast1979 Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 They'll be democrat or republican if you want them to be, as long as you have the money. Whether they have it or the crowds it attracts have it, in the end that's always what it ends up being about. The tea party and LGBT night is a perfect example of that, why would they hold such truly contradictory events if they really believed in either side? Because both are profitable. Can't you see? It all makes perfect sense....expressed in dollars and sense, pounds shillings and pence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 KI doesn't host gay pride night. GLBT of Cincy hosts and rents out the park for the night. You would be surprise who shows up If my friend (GLBT Cincinnati) wants to have a party, he may ask me (Kings Island) to host it. It doesn't mean it's my party, but I'm the host, because I welcome his (GLBT) friends into my home(/park). Kings Island has the opportunity to say "No" to the events that want to rent out the park. For these particular instances, they said "Yes." Probably for financial reasons, but they are hosting, right? No, GLBT Cincy has a contract with KI. We also profit from selling tickets. Little different then your story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 From the official Gay Cincinnati press release: One of SW Ohio's biggest Pride friendly events has been scheduled for Friday, September 10, 2010. We're talking about "Pride Night at Kings Island" in Mason, Ohio. This marks the 14th year the amusement park has hosted this fundraiser for the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Greater Cincinnati. http://www.gaycincinnati.com/node/874 It's all arbitrary word choice, I suppose. But just for the record. And yes, it is relevant to the topic at hand, because the question is about what events the park chooses to have. Contract or not, Kings Island could have declined to invite that particular event (or any event) into the park upon being asked for permission. The park's aren't necessarily favoring one party over another, I think... It's more than, thanks to Sean Hannity's Freedom Concerts, Kings Island has gained regional attention for its Republican events, which in turn attracts more Republican events. I would imagine (and this may be wrong) that Kings Island says yes to most groups who seek to rent out the park. GYK, not a right-fighter... sometimes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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