Volume 1, No. 9. June 1, 2001
It's a roller coaster!
Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana, announces
the arrival of CornBall Express, May 18, 2001. Measurements: 2,260 feet
long (685 meters), 59-foot lift hill (18 meters), 73-foot first drop (24 meters),
46 mph (73 kph). Delivered by Custom Coasters International.
Corny as they could be, the folks
at this family-owned lakefront park in the heart of Indiana corn country celebrated
the opening of its fourth coaster and second CCI woodie with a heavy dose of
self-deprecating humor. Bill Robinson, who handles Indiana Beach's publicity
and marketing, presided over the festivities in a green hillbilly hat bearing
a feather and corncob pipe. Indiana Tourism Director John Goss, Indiana State
Representative Clare Leuck, CCI President Denise Dinn Larrick, Dick Young of
Coca-Cola, and park owner Tom Spackman drew names for the first-train ride,
and Robinson led the estimated 600 local dignitaries, coaster enthusiasts and
media members in a sing-along of the park's latest television and radio jingle.
Five times they had to sing the hokey tune until Robinson approved of their
efforts. After costumed characters I.B. Crow and Cornball Jones, and the "American
Gothic" couple Marion and Arthur lobbed popcorn balls into the crowd, it was
time to ride.
The moment was like stepping through the farm into Oz. The steel-framed, wood
track CornBall Express proved to be a top-class ride in smoothness, pacing,
elements and extended—and unexpected—air time: gentle and thrilling
at the same time. Coaster enthusiasts rolled back into the station with expressions
of shock. Even Robinson, riding the front seat with Young, came back nearly
hyperventilating. "You get no chance to catch your breath," he said. "From the
time you leave the lift hill, you're into something else." Then, referring to
his own marketing campaign pushing CornBall as a family-oriented coaster,
Robinson said, "They may have to change their advertising." Nope, nothing corny
about this ride.
©2001, Minton Enterprises LLC
All rights reserved