Six Flags’ anniversary bash marks 50 years of memories and fun
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee opened for the season April 25 but the date of the park’s debut 50 years ago as Marriott’s Great America was marked Friday with fanfare and special attractions to celebrate the milestone and memories.
The day began early with a ribbon cutting and remarks from company executives and special guests before the start of a park-wide celebration at 11 a.m. in Hometown Square including party hats and a special treat.
Fiftieth anniversary offerings opening Friday featured a shop with limited-edition merchandise and commemorative items and the Legacy Museum, an immersive showcase of artifacts, archival photography, retired signage and more including a giant replica of one of the park coasters.
And for a one day only reunion, the park’s original barbershop quartet, now known as Four of a Kind, returned to perform their unmistakable sound throughout the park.
The high school friends from Greendale, Wisconsin, spent the first two summers performing at the park and returned to celebrate a milestone they helped shape and share their music with a new generation of visitors.
Among them were Daleina Wahle of Cincinnati, Ohio, and her dad, Jeremy Augenstein, who are part of the Buckeye Coaster Facebook group.
The pair awoke at 2 a.m. to make the five-and-a-half-hour trip for the event, with the intent of riding the dual-track wooden American Eagle Roller Coaster, which debuted in 1981.
Park officials announced that for the first time in 10 years, the tallest, fastest and longest-racing wooden roller coaster in the world will race once again, returning to the original side-by-side operation.
The coaster wasn’t open before the pair had to head home but that will be the first ride they board when they return around the Fourth of July, Augenstein said.
“It was great hearing about the history of the park,” added Augenstein.
What is described as a summer-long party of 50th anniversary events runs June 20 through Aug. 9. Visit sixflags.com/greatamerica.