Getting Ready for a Tea Party

There wasn't much time to celebrate after the SS Wally arrived on scene at the North End yesterday. So much still has to happen for the North End to be ready for Guests come April 30th. The next thing on our list: Wendy's Tea Party.
Ever since we decided to have Wendy be in charge of the new Tea Cup ride, it seems that she has been taking her time getting things prepared. I mean, Wally Bear already has his ride in position! But don't think that Wendy has been snoozing all winter! She has been carefully planning the construction of her ride since day one. Some say she is even more organized that Wally ever was!

A view inside the building shelter of Wendy's new ride.

Wendy's Tea Party Ride is set to arrive the first week in March and everything is right on schedule. The first pour of concrete finished today and the final pour is scheduled for next week. Crews are working overtime to make sure Wendy's deadlines are met. When talking to one of our workers, they described Wendy as "a very nice bear to work for... as long as you do what she says!"

Waiting for concrete to set is like watching paint dry!

With Wendy in charge of the show, there is no doubt that by the time her ride arrives, we will be ready to set it up.

First Ride Arrives at the North End

The good ship SS Wally sailed into port today and docked in the North End. It has been a long journey for the small tug boat, sailing all the way from Italy. Rog's Rigging met the SS Wally in the parking lot to offload it from the container. Then it was high flying and tight driving all the way down to the North End where the ride was laid perfectly in position.

It was a tight squeeze to fit a whole ride in a container!

And we have lift off!

The production was caught on film by Action News 24, WICU and WSEE television stations along with a personal interview with Mr. Nelson. Stay tuned tonight for the evening broadcasts to catch a glimpse! The Erie Times News was also out to snap several photos for tomorrows printing of the paper.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's the SS Wally!

Close to touchdown.

Now that one ride is here, we are still waiting on two more, Wendy's Tea Party and the Flying Swings. Wendy Bear has been tracking the progress of her ride and thinks it should arrive sometime in the first week of March. Meanwhile, crews are working hard to try and get the spot ready for the Tea Cups to sit. With a few more days filled with sun and warm weather, we should be ready just in time for the ride to arrive.

Touchdown.

Set In Stone

There is no turning back now! The SS Wally will soon be permanent after pouring the final slabs of concrete Thursday and Friday. It seems only yesterday when the grass was still green in the train circle.

The loading/unloading platform and the exit ramp for the SS Wally.

With the final cubic feet of concrete poured for the SS Wally, the next step is to hurry up and wait! The SS Wally is due to arrive in Erie, PA in early February in containers delivered from Italy. Unfortunately, there is not much to do until the snow starts to melt. Once the weather turns though, Wally Bear promises to have his ride put together in no time!

You might be able to see Wally Bear's paw print in the freshly poured concrete!

Wendy Bear on the other hand is taking her time putting together her ride. She says there is not much to it. She did decide on a color for her fence though, and almost all of the sections are already painted!

Yellow!

All Fenced In

Old Man Winter is still up to his old tricks, dumping piles of snow on Waldameer and the North End. But don't think for a second that a little snow is going to keep us from working! The North End says to Old Man Winter, "Bring it on!" as more and more progress is made at the new expansion site.

The latest news from the North End involves something blue and pink and it's not a baby shower. It's the Flying Swings and the SS Wally getting their fence! After the New Year Celebration, crews have been busy fencing the two new rides in order to have everything ready come April when the rides arrive from Italy. Since Wally Bear's favorite color is blue, he choose the fence for the SS Wally to be blue.

It was harder to choose a color for the Flying Swings fence but after looking at pictures of the ride, it was decided that the fence should be light pink.

Both of the fences look good so far. Wendy Bear is still trying to decide what color to paint the fence for her ride, Wendy's Tea Party, but she says she'll be ready when the time comes to decide.

Hopefully the bright colors will ward off Old Man Winter from dropping any more snow on Waldameer!

L. Ruth Express Retires

For almost 50 years the L. Ruth Express has brought joy to the faces of the young and old as they traveled through Waldameer. The L. Ruth has put plenty of miles on her tired frame yet she still finds the pep to take another go round. After the park closed for the 2010 season, we all sat down and chatted about the L. Ruth's career and after much discussion, she decided it was time for her to retire. With no regrets, we bid her farewell.

But that doesn't mean Waldameer won't be offering a relaxing train ride through the park. Oh no, the L. Ruth Express will ride again with a brand new engine in 2011! With a state-of-the-art Chance C. P. Huntington engine leading the way, the L. Ruth Express will continue to provide families and friends with a smooth and relaxing ride through Waldameer's grounds. And that's not all. Even more people will be able to partake in the joys of Waldameer's train rides by riding a brand new, fully functioning wheelchair accessible coach. This coach will be placed right in the front of all the action and be able to safely secure a person in a wheelchair while they ride with their family and friends.

While we are sad to see the original L. Ruth Express retire, she has given us her full blessing and is excited that her legacy of beautiful train rides can continue for years to come.

Thanks for nearly fifty years of going in circles!

Rainbow Gardens Events - Spring 2011

All-Star Comedy - Sat. 1/15/11, 5:00pm - 12:00am

Erie's Best Wings - Sat. 1/29/11, 11:00am - 8:00pm

Erepa Grotto Gun Raffle - Sat. 2/5/11, 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Lake Erie Fanfare - Sat. 2/12/11, 5:00pm - 10:00pm

Extreme Fight - Fri. 2/18/11, 5:00pm - 10:00pm

Classy 100 Dance - Sat. 2/19/11, 9:00pm - 1:00am

Erie City Mission Knockout Homelessness - Thur. 2/24/11, 5:00pm - 9:30pm

Elk's Lodge Gun Raffle - Sat. 2/26/11, 1:00pm - 6:00pm

Tartan Ball - Sat. 3/5/11, 8:00pm - 12:00am

Train Show - Sun. 3/6/11, 10:00am - 4:00pm

Swanson Memorial Lodge Gun Raffle - Sat. 3/12/11, 1:00pm - 6:00pm

Waterford Lions Gun Raffle - Sat. 3/19/11, 6:00pm - 11:00pm

Junior League 80's Rewind Dance - Sat. 3/26/11, 8:00pm - 1:00am

Millcreek Kiwanius Antique Show - Sat. 4/16/11, 9:30am - 4:30pm

OLP Casino Night - Sat. 4/30/11, 7:00pm - 12:00am

March of Dimes - Sun. 5/1/11, 7:00am - 7:00pm

So You Like to Sing and Dance?

For years Waldameer has provided its Guests with Live Entertainment on its Showtime Theater Stage. For the 2011 season, Waldameer will continue this tradition with three brand new Live Song and Dance shows produced by RWS and Associates Entertainment Inc.

In order for these shows to take-off, RWS and Associates is casting for these brand new shows. The casting directors are looking for talented people with the following qualifications:

- Age of 18 or older

- Having a dynamic personality

- Ability to connect with audiences

- Comfortable with various music, vocal and dance styles

The auditions will be held at Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA on February 13th, 2011 between 10:00am and 5:00pm by appointment only. Please call 1-212-391-1795 to schedule and audition appointment.

For more information, visit www.rwsandassociates.com