Commerce Cabinet - Tourism
BEECH BEND TO ADD REGION’S MOST TWISTED WOODEN COASTER

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. --- Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon announced the construction of a new wooden coaster set to open for the 2006 season.  The coaster will be the only in the world to feature three station fly-bys, providing up close views of the high speed train as it whizzes around the track.  The 24-passenger train will reach top speeds of 70 feet per second, or about 50 miles per hour.

Great Coasters International, Inc. is building the 2,827-foot track, which will be composed of 80,000 bolts, 1,500,000 nails and almost 50 miles of lumber.  The coaster is part of a $5.5 million expansion planned for Beech Bend for 2006.  Other projects include a train, Moby Dick ride and petting zoo.

“We hope to bring a lot of people to the community, and the community will see the impact of Beech Bend,” owner Dallas Jones said.  “This is going to put Bowling Green on the map and make it more of a destination.”  Jones said this is the single largest ride expansion ever in the park’s history.  Wild Mouse Spinning Coaster was added this year, making a total of four coasters for 2006.

The park is sponsoring a “Name That Coaster” contest.  Park-goers can submit proposed names in the park’s main gift shop, or can submit names online at www.beechbend.com.  All entries must be dated and include name, address and phone number.  The winner will receive two season passes to the park for 2006, and get to be the first rider on the coaster when it opens May 6, 2006.

Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon are open daily through August 14, followed by selected weekend days through September 24.  For more information, log on to www.beechbend.com or call (270) 781-7634.

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The Kentucky Department of Tourism, an agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, exists to promote The Commonwealth as a travel destination, generate revenue and create jobs for Kentucky’s economy.

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