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

Wally Bear Finds Presents and Holiday Elves

As we all know, Wally Bear likes to hibernate when it becomes winter as all bears do. Since the 2010 season has ended, that is exactly what Wally Bear has been doing. Until recently.

All the commotion and construction of Waldameer's new North End must have jolted Wally Bear out of his winter slumber! Realizing everything that he missed since the summer, he couldn't help getting excited for the Holiday Season and Waldameer's new expansion!

"There is no way I can fall back asleep now!"

Wally strolled through the snow covered park to the North End and much to his surprise, he found more than he was expecting.
He was amazed at the progress that Waldameer had made constructing the North End and shook hands with many of the workers. But even more surprising were the extra helping hands that were from the real "North End", the North Pole!

That's right! Elves had appeared straight from the North Pole on a mission directly from the Man in the Red Suit himself to help Waldameer create their 2011 expansion. It was hard to catch a glimpse of the little elves as they sped around the construction site. But one picture was finally captured of the magical creatures and Wally Bear!

Waldameer workers, Wally Bear and if you look really closely, you can see Santa's Elves!

As progress continues at the North End, Wally Bear can be found lending a helping hand in construction and joking with our North Pole visitors.

From everyone at Waldameer, Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year!

No Escape!

CAUTION: Two rides at Waldameer have just had their exits removed! There is no telling who did this dastardly deed or why they would do such a terrible thing, but one thing is for sure, if anyone plans to ride the Ferris Wheel now, there is no escape. And if you want to ride the Sea Dragon, be careful! There seems to be a rare Heatermonster hiding at the exit to pop out at unsuspecting Guests! Until someone fixes this mess, these rides will be never ending!

This is a very rare, close-up look at the dreaded Heatermonster. Yikes!

NOTE: With the exits removed, it does seem to open up the area more... more room to walk, and more room for... stuff...