Sweepstakes with two ways to win!

Which do you want first – the good news or the bad news?

Let’s start with the bad news: No one has figured out the three words to win our Podcast Sweepstakes. Yet.

And the good news: That means you still have two chances to capture a pair of tickets!

I guess we should warn you that the latest podcast episode is packed full of information about additions to our menus.

… such as the new Barbecue Beef Brisket Sandwich at SmokeHouse:

Smokehouse's Beef Brisket Sandwich

Okay, so now that we’ve got you hungry to visit us … head over to this HoliBlog post and enter our sweepstakes daily through April 6 at 2:30pm CDT.

Good luck to all!

 

A look at The Legend

As the clock ticks a little louder each day, we look forward to the click-click-click of The Legend’s trains heading up the lift hill.

Here’s a “Facebook Live!” video from yesterday, as we took a tour of Legend’s work site:

LIVE: Let’s take a look at The Legend!

Posted by Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari on Tuesday, March 29, 2016

The Legend turns 16 this season. Smooth 16.

On this date in 1955

Reagan, Santa, L.J. Koch

Ronald Reagan at Santa Claus Land? We have proof!

From the Holiday World archives:

The Gipper is pictured above with our founder, Louis J. Koch, and Santa Jim.

The trio toured the park (which was not quite a decade old yet) and then the future president traveled a few miles west of here to visit what is now the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.

Ronald Reagan outside Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Ronald Reagan, on March 29, 1955

Back in 1955, the Lincoln property was a state park in tribute to Nancy Hanks Lincoln, Abraham’s mother.

Just a few years later, Louis J. Koch’s son Bill was in the Oval Office to witness another president sign into law the transformation of the state park to the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.

Bill Koch and JFK

That’s Bill Koch, the third person from the right, with President John F. Kennedy signing the document. What a day that must have been!
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Podcast: The one with the laugh heard ’round our World

Thank you to all who entered our Podcast Sweepstakes! Our first winner – the only person who figured out the Three Words used in Podcast 004 – was Bryan B., from Strongsville, Ohio. And our chosen-at-random winner is Amanda A., from Tell City, Indiana. Each winner receives two one-day tickets to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari.
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Well, it’s podcast day again … and we talk about holidays, special events, and food.

Food, mostly.

Personal Pan Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza

Even one of the 70 Degrees of Separation names could be a food (think “it’s Lent in southern Indiana”).

Plus … we introduce a game that you can win.

We’ll have two winners, actually. One will be selected at random and the other winner will be the first person who figures out the five-syllable words the #PodSquad was assigned to work into our conversation in Episode 004.

Here are the #HoWoPo Sweepstakes details:

  • You must be at least 18 years old to enter this giveaway.
  • Employees of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (and our immediate family members) are not eligible to enter.
  • Use the widget, below, to enter daily. There are lots of options, so you can earn extra entries by voting in a poll, posting a comment here on our HoliBlog (hopefully with the correct five-syllable words from our podcast), tweeting about this sweepstakes, and visiting us on our Facebook page. The winners will be emailed shortly after 2:30pm CDT on April 6. Matt, Lauren and Leah's secret-word cards
  • For the “post a comment on the blog” entry option, tell us the five-syllable words Matt and Lauren each said three times during the podcast – plus the one Leah said twice. (The first person to correctly post all three words wins a pair of tickets; the other pair will go to a winner-chosen-at-random.) To enter for the random drawing (not sure I’d be able to catch all three words, quite frankly), just giving us some podcast feedback. (Our comments are moderated, so as long as the content is HoliFriendly, it will appear soon.)
  • By entering our sweepstakes, you agree to be added to our e-newsletter list. You may unsubscribe at any time by following the directions in your email.
  • Did you know you can subscribe to our HoliBlog so that you receive all of our posts (including contests) by email? If you’re using a desktop computer or tablet, look for the “Subscribe to Blog” sidebar at the top-right corner of this page. On a smartphone? Just scroll down a tiny bit more to find it.

Ready to enter? Of course you are: Simply enter our sweepstakes here from a mobile device; or if you’re using an immobile device, enter by using the widget, below. And not just today – enter daily through Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 2:30pm CDT.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Podcast highlights: Thunderbird, blue sand, and Will

We’re half-way between podcast episode 003 and 004, so here are 003’s highlights, with video:

The Mystic Blue name for our new filter sand …

Sand being installed at Bahari Wave Sand being installed at Bahari Wave Close Up of Sand

… (which is clearly not blue), reminds me of this post from the first year we blogged, 2005: Q: When is the color green … blue?

We sure hope you’re enjoying The Official Holiday World Podcast (if so, please consider posting a review or giving us some stars on iTunes or Stitcher), because we’re having a ball.

We enjoy answering questions and reading your comments during each episode – please post yours below (or on social media, using the #HoWoPo hashtag).

Out to launch

Voyage and ThunderbirdToday.

Was.

Just.

Beautiful.

It was a lovely day for a long walk (my office is near the front gate – Thunderbird … isn’t) to use Facebook’s new “Live!” feature.

 

LIVE: Thunderbird testing (aka Hoosier Dummy now?)

Posted by Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari on Wednesday, March 16, 2016

We open in just under 40 days. Lots to do – and lots of good people to get it done.

By the way, if you’d like to visit early in the season, we’ve got some great deals on e-tickets for both Opening Weekends and Summer Kickoff days. Hope to see you soon!

Nuts for donuts

It’s amazing how excited we can get about a little piece of fried dough.

During the season, Mrs. Klaus’ Kitchen keeps our collective sweet tooth satisfied, but this time of year it’s a bit of a challenge.

So when I saw the #DonutBankHero promotion on Twitter a month or so ago, there was no thinking twice.

 

After all, our Coaster Cats and additional crews have been working in all sorts of weather to get The Legend‘s new double-down created, plus nearly 1,400 feet of retracking completed.

We got word a week or so ago that our entry won. And today was the day:
Donuts for the Coaster Cats

There’s one in every bunch – uh, Brandon, we’re cutting you off!

Brandon likes donuts. A lot!

Thanks to the Donut Bank and WFIE-TV for this sweet contest.

Coaster Cats enjoying donuts

‘Rock the World’ Sweepstakes

Congratulations to Terry P., from Bicknell, Indiana, who wins two tickets to Rock the World in August. Thanks to all who entered!
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We’ve completed our line-up for Rock the World 2016 and are so happy about it, we’re going to give away two tickets!

Our headliners are MercyMe and Colton Dixon. The list of other main-stage artists includes Blanca and OBB.

Sounds like Bart from MercyMe is already packing his bags!

Sound like fun? Then be sure to enter this sweepstakes!

Rock the World logo

First, please read through these instructions and rules:

  • You must be at least 18 years old to enter and you must not have won tickets from Holiday World in the past six months.
  • Employees of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (and the immediate family members of employees) are not eligible to enter.
  • By entering, you agree to be added to our Rock the World e-newsletter list (you may unsubscribe at any time by following the directions in your email).
  • Use the widget, below, to enter daily. There are lots of options, so you can earn extra entries by posting here on our HoliBlog, tweeting about this sweepstakes, following us on Pinterest, and visiting us on our Facebook page.
  • One winner – chosen at random – will receive two tickets to Rock the World (including all-day admission to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari).
  • For the “post a comment on the blog” entry option, simply tell us your favorite MercyMe or Colton Dixon song. (Our comments are moderated, so as long as the content is HoliFriendly, it will appear soon.)
  • Did you know you can subscribe to our HoliBlog so that you receive all of our posts (including contests) by email? If you’re using a desktop computer or tablet, look for the “Subscribe to Blog” sidebar at the top-right corner of this page. On a smartphone? Just scroll down a tiny bit more to find it.

Ready to enter? Of course you are: Simply enter our sweepstakes here from a mobile device; or if you’re using an immobile device, enter by using the widget, below. And not just today – enter daily through Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 2:30pm CDT.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

One more thing … please be sure to let your favorite regional Christian Rock bands know we’ll accept e-auditions for Rock the World’s daytime artists through April 16.

For more details plus discount ticket information, check out our HolidayWorldRocks.com page.

And together, we’ll Rock the World!

Podcast: The one with the Blue Sandman

Another podcast is in the can. The HoliCan, as it were.

In it you will hear #FlashBackFriday stories about Thunderbird-planning obsessions. Also, we’ll each reveal our favorite Splashin’ Safari attraction and share a story about Will Koch.

Plus this (hint: VP James is back):

Close Up of Sand for podcast

And tons more.

Plus, another rousing round of our 70 Degrees of Separation game. Who will win this time?

Find out here. Find out now:

Thanks for listening!