Kings Island's on track to revive the adventure starting Friday

The monumental task of turning the city's favorite summer playground into a winter wonderland is almost complete. By Friday, Paramount's Kings Island will be ready to flip the switch on WinterFest: Home for the Holidays. It will run through New Year's Eve.

Right now, five days out, the 3 million-plus lights are mostly strung. The miles and miles of garland, decked with oversized ornaments and more lights, are draped on buildings, railings and light poles. The miles of red and green bunting are hung from the ceilings with care, the fountain is frozen and the entertainers are fully rehearsed and tuned up.

WinterFest, a beloved tradition that drew millions of guests (exact attendance figures are unavailable) from 1982 to 1992, was scrapped when PKI went into overdrive constructing new attractions and was unable to juggle both WinterFest crowds and hordes of construction workers.

Getting ready for it this year wasn't easy either. Work began in mid-October while FearFest was still in full swing, so workers had to rope off whole areas while dodging spooks, maniacal clowns and bloodthirsty lunatics running around with chain saws.

Chaos? You betcha. A juggling act? Almost daily. A mad dash to complete in time for Tuesday's preview party and Friday's grand opening? It's coming down to the wire.

And was it worth all the commotion? Sure was, considering what park guests are going to see starting Friday.

IF YOU GO

What: WinterFest: Home for the Holidays

Where: Paramount's Kings Island, Exit 24 off I-71

When: 4-10 p.m. Nov. 25, 26, Dec. 2 and 3; 4-9 p.m. Nov. 27, Dec. 4; 4-10 p.m. Dec. 9-31 except Sundays when it closes at 9 p.m.; closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Cost: Ages 3 and older $24.99 at the door; $19.99 if tickets are purchased at Kroger's; $17.99 in advance at www.pki.com but only if bought for a specific date.

Information: (513) 754-5700 or 800-288-0808; www.pki.com

There's more: The ice rink is the only attraction that carries an extra charge - $7 to use the ice, $3 to rent skates.

Show times: "Santa's Toy Factory" plays five times daily (only four on Sunday) in Paramount Theater at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Reserve seats (they're free) at the box office inside the front gate.

Christmas parade with floats, Nickelodeon characters, Santa and other holiday figures 7:30 nightly; begins in Rivertown, marches to the Eiffel Tower, then back to the kids area, ending at Santa's Christmas Town.

The Holiday Illuminations light show goes off nine times daily over Rivertown's Swan Lake - 5:45, 6:15, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 8:15, 8:45, 9:15 and 9:45 p.m. (no 9:15 and 9:45 show on Sundays).

Who gets in on the sneek preview night?

Only members of the media get into the sneak peak on Tuesday. Anyone who has a valid ticket can attend on Friday!

The article that pkiboy referenced appeard in today`s Cincinnati Enquirer in the A&E section. The article was written by Jim Knippenberg, who has written several article on PKI over the years. Cincinnati Enquirer article

So Tuesday must be media day for winterfest.

That would be correct.

And I wonder how CoasterRZ knows this? (WINK WINK)

Well, I had actually known it was media day long before this week. Since the middle of October. But yes, I was reinformed that it was on Tuesday this week.

actually the parade starts near the santa's christmas town in nick central goes around the tower and ends at The Beast...

Just as a clarification......there are NO nickelodeon characters in the christmas parade. Nickelodeon has nothing to do with this parade, it is a whole different company and there is no affiliation with their characters. The characters will be in the christmas tree lot everynight. And lost girl is correct....the path is actually the reverse of what is listed there.

Well, I had actually known it was media day long before this week. Since the middle of October. But yes, I was reinformed that it was on Tuesday this week.

Media day was announced at the press announcement on July 25th.

Well, I became aware of the date media day was on in October. I was busy working at school in the summer, so my trips to PKI were few and far between.

Will Viking Fury be opened for winter fest , someone told me this I'm just making sure.

Will Viking Fury be opened for winter fest , someone told me this I'm just making sure.

Yes, it's going to be called the Christmas Clipper. Should be great to ride at about 30 degrees outside. <G>

I think this winter fest will be snowy

Oh man winterfest is going to rock the foundation of King's Island.

Oh man winterfest is going to rock the foundation of King's Island.

Yes it will.

Just a heads up to everyone. I just uploaded 25 images I took at WinterFest`s media day tonight to the photo gallery . Ryan and Bill will have further updates and images from WinterFest later on.

Just a heads up to everyone. I just uploaded 25 images I took at WinterFest`s media day tonight to the photo gallery . Ryan and Bill will have further updates and images from WinterFest later on.

Great photos CoastersRZ.

Thanks, pkiboy. I had a fun time at Winterfest last night. Although it was a little on the cold side. PKI did a good job bringing back Winterfest! I did have some disapointments, but those were more related to the decorations (or lack there of) to some of the rides that were open. Excluding the White Christmas Express, which was very well done!