What is a Vortex?

Definition: a mass of fluid with a whirling or circular motion that tends to form a cavity or vacuum in the center of the circle and to draw toward this cavity or vacuum bodies subject to its action

So basically, it's a whirlpool like this:

Ours is a MEGA vortex and it's on land, not in water. Oh, and it's purple and gold.

Fireworks!

To celebrate Memorial Day, we're having fireworks Sunday (5-24) and Monday (5-25).

What time you ask?

Well, it depends how quickly it gets dark that night. We hire a company to set them off and they decide what time is best.

Tea and Crumpets, Anyone?

I saw this in the Erie Times Showtime section:

Don Joint's artworks make the rounds

"Some England art patrons are enjoying a unique look at Erie's Waldameer Park. Fred, a London museum, is currently showing 'Waldameer,' a group of collage works by Erie native Don Joint."

"More 'Waldameer' works are also on display at the Pavel Zoubok Gallery in New York."


Here is the full article in Showcase.

And here are pictures of Don's artwork in London and in New York.


Thanks for the publicity, Don! Nice work!

2009 Showtime Theater

Okay, you've been introduced to the cast members. "What do those cast members do?" you may ask. Well, it's funny you should say that because that what I was about to get to!

"WALLY AND WENDY'S HULABALOO"

Enter into a world of musical magic with Wally, Wendy, and friends. This interactive, educational, and musical journey will be enjoyable and entertaining for the whole family.





"SOCK HOP"

Come hang with the cast and go bananas for the music of the 50's and 60's! You'll have a blast with this high-energy musical revue celebrating your favorite tunes, crazy dances, and way out wacky trends of the times.






"MERGE"

A spectacular song and dance show which merges many types of music, including hot contemporary hits, knee-slappin' country tunes, hand-raisin' gospel, and one hit wonders.







Weekend schedule:

"Sock Hop" - 2:00 and 7:30 PM
"Wally and Wendy's Hulabaloo" - 3:30 and 6:30 PM
"Merge" - 5:00 and 8:30 PM

On weekdays in early June (open 10:30 - 7:30):

"Sock Hop" - 11:30 AM and 5:00 PM
"Wally and Wendy's Hulabaloo" - 1:00 and 4:00 PM
"Merge" - 2:30 and 6:00 PM

100th Post

Just a short year ago the Waldablog was launched with one post.

Today, the blog has 100 posts and over 24,000 views!

Our ClustrMap looks like it got the chicken pox with all our red dots.

Thanks for reading!

I have a favor to ask. The last poll ended ("What are you most looking forward to this summer?") and I need a new question with answers for people to vote on. Any thoughts?

Wall of Fame

We received boatloads, and I mean boatloads, of awards for the Ravine Flyer II. They barely fit on the wall.





I don't mean to brag, but - well, actually, I do.

The MEGA VORTEX

Today, we announced the winner of the "Name That Ride" contest...

Jacob Radziszewski!

The name is now...the Mega Vortex!

Congrats, Jacob! You get a catered picnic, on us!


Thanks to everyone who submitted a name. We had over 1,200 entries!

Here's a video of President Steve Gorman attempting to pronounce Jacob's last name:

Happy Opening Day!

The gates are open.

The rides are running.

The employees are smiling.


WE'RE OPEN.

So why don't you carpe diem ("seize the day") and have some fun with us?

New Cast Members

The members of the Showtime Theater are currently working hard so they can entertain you all summer long! Just take a look:




Uh...who are these hooligans? Hang on one second. Let me try this again:



There we go. What a nice-looking bunch of young people. That's a keeper.

I'll get some info on the new shows and times for the '09 season. More on this later.

I Lived To Tell the Tale

WHO: Me
WHERE: 80 ft high
WHEN: Last Sunday
WHAT: Top-secret mission

I joined two daredevils and climbed the first (and certainly tallest) hill of the RF II. There's a walkway on the side for maintenance and daily inspection. Yup, everyday someone has to walk the entire track, inspecting its safety. Gulp.

After a few minutes, when we reached the summit, I was out of breath. I don't know whether it was because of the climb or my nerves. Probably a little bit of both. Anyways, the professional coaster climbers and I, the newbie having second thoughts, were up there to put up the flags on top of the hill. We have American, Canadian, and a few colored ones. Phew, the things I do for my country.

Despite my fear of falling to my death, we stayed up there for 15 minutes until the job was done.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Success!

The premiere of the MDO was a hit! As I said before, 608 tickets sold Saturday and 778 sold Sunday.

If my math is correct...

we raised OVER $3,000 for the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation!


Wow! Thanks to everyone who came out this past weekend!

Remember, the park (no waterpark) opens this weekend: Sat and Sun 12-9 pm.


If you couldn't come out to ride the MDO and still want to donate to Cancer Research, click here.

It's Open!

THIS WEEKEND: The grand opening of the Mega Disk'O!

608 tickets were sold yesterday, and the majority of the profit was donated to cancer research.


Thanks to everyone who showed their support yesterday!


If you missed us, don't worry - the ride is still open today from 12-7 pm!

If you can't (or are too chicken) to ride - check out this video from GoErie.com.