Awwwwwww...

This isn't actually about Holiday World, but since we occasionally get asked why we don't have a petting zoo anymore, I know we have many animal-lovers in our midst.

We still don't have a petting zoo, but at the Lincoln Living Historical Farm right down the road from us, there are some new cuties waiting for a scratch behind the ears.

"Reading through the archives, again"

Okay, so what's not to love about this fellow?

I come from a family of readers. I married a reader. Gave birth to three readers. Indeed, at home we even removed a bathtub from one of our bathrooms and replaced it with bookshelves (not to worry, we still have a tub plus three showers; remember, my husband's a farmer).

So when young Josh emailed and asked for a photo to illustrate a post from three years ago (because he was re-reading theHoliBlog), there was just no saying "no." (Plus, I see I promised in the post to someday post a photo. Oops. I guess today's the day.)

Here's his email request:

I'm 11 years old and make a yearly pilgrimage to Holiday World every year from Columbia, Illinois. My name is Josh and as I was reading through the archives again, on May 26, 2005, you said something about a very long street sign reading Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.
Could you please post that picture my friends and I are all very curious to see it!

Your Friend, Josh

Here you go, Josh -- keep reading!

Translation covered

Thank you to the four HoliBlog readers who were kind enough to translate the cover blurbs we posted the other day.

This translation comes from a nice woman who grew up in Portugal:

Garantia de emocoes fortes = Guaranteed Rush

Montanhas Russas = Roller Coasters (Literally translated, it means Russian Mountains; that's their term for roller coasters)

Rapidas = Quick Ones

Altas = Tall/High Ones

Vellozes = High Velocity Ones

Conheca As Melhores = Get to know the Best

When the going gets tough...

...the tough wear their jammies to work?

Oh, Ryan.

When our Human Resources staff reached out to other departments asking who wanted to pull an "all nighter" to get a record amount of new-hire paperwork processed, they didn't mention dress code.

I guess Ryan equated an all-nighter with a pajama party and felt he arrived suitably attired.

He's a nut.

He's started to introduce me as his "second mom." I'm not sure whether to feel complimented or a little bit frightened.

Ryan is our Marketing Intern this year. John has taught him well. You'll notice Ryan is sporting a Pepsi product logo on his nighty-night pants.



The work started at 4 pm and wrapped up around 11:30 pm, bless them.

Here are Derek and Megan, hard at work.


And here are Erin and Marlene, who, by the way, is married to Craig, whom you may remember as our intrepid Voyage construction photographer from much earlier posts.


Meanwhile, we took advantage of this being spring break by holding several Orientations.

As the new Hosts and Hostesses learn about our Four Cornerstones (Safety, Service, Friendliness and Cleanliness) they get some hands-on experience.

Kind of gross hands-on experience, actually. Poor Derek didn't know what he was volunteering for when he raised his hand.


That's fake vomit in the container. It's nasty enough to make a bit of the real stuff start stirring around in one's gut.

The challenge is to learn to safely remove the gloves without getting any of the revolting goop on your hands. Eric, our Director of Admissions, is walking him through the process. (Eric was once our Marketing Intern -- see Ryan, there's hope!)

In past years, we've simply done the glove-removal demonstration. It's nice to see we've made it more interactive and colorful, if a bit nauseating.

Just goes to prove that all sorts of things come up during Orientation.

Anyone speak Portuguese?

Or, maybe just know how to read it?


Tim, with the American Coaster Enthusiasts, was kind enough to send me this publication. He's so tickled that one of his photos made it on the cover of a magazine.

Our Voyage. On the cover of a magazine in Portugal. Written in Portuguese.

Just wish we knew what the article was all about...

But Tim's from Texas, so he's not much help.

A horse of a different color

Today's smiling face from Star Spangled Carousel has a slightly less threatening set of choppers than yesterday's big grin.

A concrete crop circle

My friend Rus from Boston just emailed.

He can't believe how the "footprint" for Kima Bay keeps growing.

Watch for vertical growth next week.

The other day, in the dentist's chair...

Dentist: How do I know you? You look familiar...

Me: Ummm....myoowaaa....

Dentist: Did I go to school with one of your kids?

Me: (thinking) Do I look that old?!

Dentist: I don't know...your name is familiar, too...

Me: (once the instruments of torture are removed from my mouth) Did you ever work at Holiday World?

Dentist: Oh, that's it! Gosh that was a long time ago, but I do remember you. Now this won't hurt a bit...

Me: (thinking) You liked me, right? 'cause if I did anything to tick you off, tell me now!

Got floss?

This toothy fellow might need some help once in a while.


He's one of the pretty new faces at Star Spangled Carousel.

Might need a little Hospitality Training ...

Johnny be good

Okay, I'm not lobbying for votes, but this is just too funny not to pass along.

Sitting pretty

This coming week, the "pretty stuff" comes out.

Once the roof of the pavilion at Star Spangled Carousel is complete...


...the innards will be brought out of cold storage.

Here are the first few pieces being put in place.


By mid-week, we plan to trot out the carousel horses and all the other critters to see their new home.

Back at it!

The rains have finally subsided.

But not before my dear husband called with this:

Gary: Methuselah here.

Me: Excuse me?

Gary: Methuselah. They said on the news yesterday that this was a "200-year rain." And today they're calling it a "500-year rain." Well, I remember the last time we had a 200-year rain and a 500-year rain. Just call me Methuselah.

(For the record, the Bible says Methuselah lived to be 900+ years old.)

Well, Methuselah and the rest of us are drying out and heading back outdoors.

What are these things popping up like mushrooms on top of the Holiday Theater?

They're part of the new look for the theater.

It took me the better part of a week, but I was able to sneak a copy of the design for you to see:

I especially like the sentries out front.

Wonder if that's the new uniform for our Security Staff...

Just in time for spring!

A new wallpaper for your desktop.

Hon, where'd you put the keys to the ark?

Got rain?

We do. Lots and lots.

It's like living inside a car wash.

Luckily, Rachel took some photos last week before the clouds rolled in.

Rick is working on the panels for Reindeer Games before it goes vertical next week.


And what's this?

Could it be the "decorative cupola" for Star Spangled Carousel?


Indeed, no.

This is part of the facelift for the Holiday Theater.

...home of the new HoliDazzles show, remember?


They're just getting started with this new look.

Well, not today.

Today is an "indoor job" day.

Why fly when you can be carried?

The pleased look on this Eagle's Flight bird's face cracks me up.

He's got it made in the shade.

And here's another critter catching a ride.


We told him not to peek.

But did he listen?

Weeee!

It's a long ride down to Splashin' Safari from the Christmas plaza.

Meanwhile, Star Spangled Carousel's pavilion is getting some color.


Here's the patriotic view from over by the road.

A little nip here, a tiny tuck there

No, no one here is getting plastic surgery (do they even call it that anymore?).

But there are a number of changes to the park that may strike you as "something's different...I just can't put my finger on it" during your first visit this season.

It's not just the new rides. (Although we should point out the pavilion over Star Spangled Carousel is taking shape quickly.)


It's also the theaters.

Here's a look at the Hoosier Celebration Theater, which will host three shows (plus weekend karaoke) this season.


Matt told me yesterday that Sandi, our new entertainment director, asked straight out, "Can we get rid of that barn look?"

It works just fine for the country show, but with a gospel show and retro-rock show sharing the same venue, maybe it's time for a new look.

(Wonder if that would work with my dairy-farmer husband? "Uh, Gary darling ... can we get rid of that barn look? No? Hmmm. Well, what about that barn smell?")

The Holiday Theater in the Christmas plaza is getting a new facade as well as a new children's show, The HoliDazzles.


Meanwhile, we have some new looks internally as well.

Two of our Directors are now General Managers. (Not to worry, Will is still president and CEO; we've just added a layer of management.)

This is the aforementioned Matt.

He's our General Manager of Shared Services. That means he is responsible for the departments which support the park's internal operations...plus admissions and entertainment.

I was so tickled that entertainment was part of Matt's charge that I tormented the poor man for weeks. Every time I needed to phone him I'd start off the call in full voice, "Gotta sing! Gotta dance!" ...or..."What is it that we're living for? Applause! Applause!"

Is it possible to get an unlisted work number? Matt's group includes IT, so if there's a way to get it done, he's there.

And this is Mike.

He's "GM Mike."

(Not to be confused with "Sales Director Mike.")

GM Mike's area of responsibility includes park operations (rides, water park, foods, shops, games, cleaning, etc.) plus maintenance and development.

He's one of those "still waters run deep" guys.

I told him if there's ever a movie made, I want to get Jimmy Stewart to play him.

He didn't say anything.

So did I get a new boss? Nope. I still report to Will. So do "Sales Director Mike" and "Marketing Director John."

I figure it would have been a deal-breaker with Matt and Mike, so Will agreed to keep us.

The news release, with more specifics, is here in our online News Room.

The missing Linc

As Stephen Colbert once told the world, it ain't just Santa here in Spencer County, Indiana.

Our 16th president grew up just down the road.

This lovely cabin-in-the-snow picture was taken by Melissa from our county visitors bureau.


Melissa and I serve on the board of directors of the Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association.

And our own Will Koch is president.

...of the board, that is.

In our (cough!) spare time, we're conducting a search for our Executive Producer, Artistic Director, Managing Director and Communications Director for the 1,500-seat Lincoln Amphitheatre.

If you're interested in applying for any of these positions, or know someone who might be interested, please take a look at the Lincoln Amphitheatre website.

These folks won't have to split rails or churn butter, but they've got their work cut out for them. They have to bring a love of Lincoln, passion for theatre, and a fire-in-the-belly excitement to be part of creating this magnificent theatrical tribute to Abraham Lincoln.

A snowy day in Santa Claus

Watch it snow today via our SplashCam.

Or maybe we should call it our WinterWonderlandCam.

Or the WillSpringEverComeCam.

Or even Don'tForgetToSetYourClocksAheadThisWeekendForAllThe GoodItWillDoUsCam.

A new coat for Santa

Santa, get some sun!

You're looking might pale.


I hadn't been out in the park for a day or two and nearly fell over when I saw the Santa statue.

Didn't get a chance to ask our painters, but this looks to be the results of some might fine sand blasting.


In the coming weeks Santa will get a lovely new coat ... of paint.

Concrete progress

Now that it has finally stopped raining for a few minutes, the park is buzzing.

And humming...


This is prep work for Reindeer Games; that's The Raven's lifthill in the background.

What a relief; pouring rain has been replaced by pouring concrete.


Over in our 4th of July section, there is more than a little activity at the Star Spangled Carousel site.


A few steps back, and it's easy to see the structure is starting to take shape.


So nice to see pretty skies.

And there isn't a single percentage chance of precip.

Till tomorrow.

Quick on the draw

You never can tell who will visit the park on any given day.

Last August, a budding cartoonist from Israel spent the day with us.

Who knew?


I remember Tomi well, as he was here with a group of coaster enthusiasts who visited as part of a multi-park tour put together by the folks at Theme Park Review.

Tomi was just 17 at the time and hopping around like an excited puppy. (I kept wondering, "Doesn't he know it's really hot and humid today?")

Sweet of him to send us this memento from his trip.

What a difference a day makes

Or, actually, a weekend.

Friday's photo of Star Spangled Carousel:



And this morning:


And look what's ready and waiting in front of the bench by the Liberty Launch queue:


The aforementioned "decorative cupola."