Volume 2, No. 10.   June 14, 2002

New Arrivals

It’s a themed section!
Silver Dollar City and Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, Georgia, announces the arrival of Crossroads, May 25, 2002. Measurements: six acres (2.4 hectares), nine crafts buildings/stores, six eateries, 30 townsfolk, one 4D theater with 350 seats and 12-minute film. Delivered by Renaissance Entertainment.

The South’s newest town is already one of its oldest. Set in the 1870s, Crossroads replicates the styles and skills of Reconstruction-era Dixie and represents Silver Dollar City’s largest capital improvement—a $30 million expenditure—in its four-year tenure managing the venerable state park on the outskirts of Atlanta.

After treating local dignitaries and the hospitality industry to a May 23 evening preview, with souvenir fans as gifts and a sampling from each of Crossroad's six restaurants, the new town opened to the public on a balmy Saturday with singing, dancing and a ribbon cutting. The town mayor, played by Director of Operations Gerald Rakestraw, presented the key to the city to Silver Dollar City owners Jack and Sherry Herschend.

As guests milled around town, residents interacted with them on the streets; characters like Peddler Pete who sings upon any excuse while peddling his wares, and Catfish Charlie with his penchant for story telling. The tallest tales of the town, however, are told at the 4D theater playing Tall Tales of the South, the state’s first such attraction and, in Crossroad’s first two weeks of existence, already a major draw.

©2002, Minton Enterprises LLC
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