Opening Day is here.

This morning, we were shooting into the sun (yes, there were a few moments of sunshine), so our eBay winners were in silhouette for this photo.

How anyone could let go of the grab bar long enough to wave is beyond me.

All of the money from our "first rides" eBay auction goes into the "Feeding Families Food Drive" fund, to be donated along with the food items to the food banks which help feed the needy in four states.

Today, park president Will Koch also began to tweet some of his thoughts.

Be sure to check out his "bio." What a nut.

Meanwhile, here's a boatload of our happy eBay winners.

Planning to ride Pilgrims Plunge soon?

Here's a little tip about the experience: As the loaded elevator platform heads up the tower, the empty one descends.

At one point, of course, they pass.

You know how people pass each other on the sidewalk and nod their heads politely? The platforms do that. It's just a little nod, but it's definitely enough to add another thrill to Pilgrims Plunge. (My scream went up about three octaves, even though I knew it was coming.)

Meanwhile, here's a great article about yesterday's Pilgrims Plunge media preview.

Will and Santa take another ride on Pilgrims Plunge.

Listen for Santa's delighted, "Ho! Ho! Ho!"

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/svDivuZEhzY&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x...

This is called POV. That means "point of view," which is what you'll see when you come to "take the plunge."

And if it helps, go ahead and scream or even close your eyes. (I did both.)

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/_QYMqrto5Mg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x...

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/kIEXZAHXhF4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x...

Here's WFIE's Nathan Ryder's report from tonight's 5 o'clock news.

If you watch closely, you'll see that Mrs. Koch was on the first boat. She wasn't going to ride today...but at the last minute, hopped on. There are lots of Kochs on that boat, actually...Will's wife, Lori, their younger daughter, Leah, and William A. Koch III. And in the back seat, Will's brother Philip with his daughter Alexa.

Here they are:

The family that rides together ... gets soaking wet together.

Would anyone like for us to make a wallpaper out of this shot?

Will and Santa rode the first boat on Pilgrims Plunge this afternoon with the media on hand.

So how did they do?

We had about 15 Twitterers on hand to ride. You'll find their tweets here.

What with all this testing...

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/8uWkSpo0LJg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x...

Now Gene Kelly's voice will be in my head the rest of the day...

... just testin' in the rain, what a glorious feeling, I'm happy again...

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk8HglCaMv0]

Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo
Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo...

As we get closer to opening each season, John keeps busy writing and producing our ad campaign.

For editing our "creative," he travels to Cincinnati. He was there a week or so ago and was delighted when, while at lunch, he looked out the window and saw this on the back of a Pepsi truck:

John approached the Pepsi truck drivers and asked, "Hey guys, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Priceless response: "Uh...what did we do?"

John happily emailed me the photo with the Pepsi guys, quipping: "Kings Island may have Diamondback, but we've got Truckback!"