It has become a tradition that every year Kings Island inducts past employees into their Walk of Fame to honor them for their contribution to Kings Island or their accomplishments following their employment at Kings Island. This year, that honor was bestowed upon Gary Wachs and Rich Walburg.

Rich Walburg worked at Kings Island from 1983 through 1991, working in various departments including admissions, communications, ecology and food service. Since then he has gone on to have a very successful career with WLW in Cincinnati.

Gary Wach is the man most responsible for Kings Island as we know it today. He began his career with Coney Island and helped entice them to take the drastic measure of moving the park to a quiet farm town north of Cincinnati called Kings Mills. He served as the first ever general manager of Kings Island before moving on to help construct and open Kings Island's sister park, Kings Dominion, in Virginia.

Click here to see photos of the Kings Island Walk of Fame induction!

It is nearing the time when the leaves begin to fall from the trees and our favorite summer getaway becomes a haven for demons, zombies, undead cowboys and creatures of the night. Details on Halloween Haunt have been released and it is gearing up to be one of the best Haunt's ever!

New attractions for 2009 include:

Slaughter House - Looking for a good cut of fresh meat? You’ve come to the right place. The butcher shop is open and you never know who or what is on the chopping block. A real meat-lovers delight as the herd is skinned alive, gutted, beheaded and packed before your very eyes!

Cut Throat Cove - Come seeking adventure, and salty old pirates, have you? In this hideaway, thieving pirates and cutthroat buccaneers are ready to challenge even the bravest souls to a duel. Can you get past these swashbucklers and make it out alive? Know this as you try: Dead men tell no tales!

Hot Blooded - (Live Show) Vampires, blood and rock n’ roll explode onto the stage in this all new seductive after-life revue. This clan is born to be wild and is looking for action. Break on through to the other side and get bitten! (Recommended for mature audiences)

Click here to visit Halloween Haunt's official web site!

Looking for a great deal on a 2010 season pass? Look no further! Kings Island is offering a 2010 season pass renewal deal that can't be beat! You can enjoy the over 50 rides, shows and attractions that Kings Island has to offer for the low price of $69.99! There's just one catch: You must renew your pass AT THE PARK on September 7, 25, 26th or 27th. Hurry! This is the best deal of the season! Click here for details!

Nearly a year in the making, "Riding History to the Limits," the brainchild project of CET Cincinnati's Nate Byrum is finally available for you to enjoy! Explore the history of Kings Island with facts, footage and photos that have rarely been seen by the public in this 90 minute feature length documentary!

Synopsis:

As early as 1964, the design and concept of a groundbreaking amusement park was growing in the mind of an ambitious young man by the name of Gary Wachs. Until this time modern amusement parks were leaving roller coasters and other thrill rides out of their parks. Gary Wachs knew that bringing back the thrill to amusement parks was a path that would be as profitable as it was popular in the future of entertainment. After a five year struggle, Gary finally got to see his dream materialize and eventually opened to the public in 1972, Kings Island.

In this program, we sit down with Gary to learn first hand how Kings Island went from a glimmer in Gary’s eye, to the multi-million dollar park it is today. We will tell you how Gary brought back the rollercoaster to parks in the United States, and how Disney played a roll in the birth of this park. Kings Island has set a precedent in the American amusement park industry and has given millions of park goer’s memories that will last a lifetime.

This program combines old film footage, photographs taken by Rick Norton and other patrons of the park, and new footage.

Interviews include: Gary Wachs, Dennis Speigel, Charles Meechem, Jack Rouse, Don Helbig, Carmen Electra, Walter and Nancy Duff, Barry Williams, and Michael Lookingland. Hosted by Nate Byrum

Click Here to See CET's "Riding History to the Limits!"

It's now official! Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus will adorn Kings Island's Golden Ticket Award winning best kids' area in 2010 as it is re-branded as Planet Snoopy.

“The Best Kids Area in the World is getting a fresh new look with a timeless classic." said park spokesman Don Helbig, "Planet Snoopy will feature PEANUTS-themed rides and attractions, which includes four roller coasters, and daily meet and greet and photo opportunities with Snoopy and his pals like Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus.”

Peanuts, celebrating its 60th year of existence in 2010, was the product of Charles Schulz and has been featured in 2,200 newspapers, classic television specials and on re-mastered DVD’s, on stage, in hundreds of books and across the Internet.

Further details on Planet Snoopy, including new ride names, will be released during the 2009/2010 offseason.

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Congratulations to Gary Wachs and Rich Walburg on the Walk Of Fame induction!!

Congratulations to Gary and Rich! If it wasn't for Gary, we wouldn't be here discussing Kings Island.