Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park opens the gates for its 85th season today with two new rides, a new Pizza Cafe and the announcement of a stellar summer concert series.
"The Sea Warrior is a family thrill ride. It twists, turns and spins," said Talley Green, Lake Winnie public relations director. "The Silly Saucers are a kiddie ride that spins like a teacup ride. This makes a total of 37 rides in the park."
Green said a new game, Tin Can Alley, has been added to the arcade row. This makes 16 games offered in the park, including miniature golf.
"Tin Can Alley is a fun game for all ages that even smaller children can win. It's a ball toss into garbage cans while the lids are opening and closing," she said.
"The new Pizza Cafe is going to have made-to-order pizzas. You choose your toppings and they are handmade and served," she said. "Pizza Cafe will offer a $5 personal pan pizza and a 16-inch family pizza combo with four drinks for $20."
The fun begins this afternoon when Gym-Masters perform on the hour, each hour, from 1 to 6 p.m.
Gym-Masters is Southern Adventist University's student troupe who put on an impressive show of trampoline stunts, acrobatics and gymnastic tumbling while spreading a message of healthy living.
Country singer Jason Michael Carroll is headlining this summer's concert series at the Jukebox Junction. He's joined by rising stars David Nail, whose hit "Red Light" is an Academy of Country Music nominee for Single of the Year, and Chris Young, who sings the popular "Little Black Dress" song.
"It's going to be a fun concert series this year because we've added three Christian artists," said Green. "Tenth Avenue North was voted Best New Artist at the Dove Awards last year. Brandon Heath was the Dove Awards' Best Male Artist."
To make it easier to enjoy all this fun, Lake Winnie is offering visitors the ease of e-tickets.
Don't want to wait in lines? Save time by purchasing and printing your gate admission ticket from home ($5 plus $1 service fee).
Did you know?
Lake Winnepesaukah's name is drawn from the American Indian name for "bountiful waters."
Jukebox Junction
Summer Concert Series
June 6: David Nail at 3 and 8 p.m.
June 20: Brandon Heath at 3 p.m.
June 27: To be announced
July 11: Chris Young at 3 and 8 p.m.
July 18: Francesca Battistelli at 3 p.m.
July 25: Jason Michael Carroll at 3 and 8 p.m.
Aug. 15: Tenth Avenue North at 3 p.m.
Sept. 5: Confederate Railroad at 3 and 8 p.m.
If You Go
* What: Opening weekend of Lake Winnepesaukah.
* When: Noon-8 p.m. today.
* Where: 1730 Lakeview Drive, Rossville.
* Admission: $5 gate; unlimited rides pass $21, value strip of 14 rides $13. Guests under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult and purchase either a ride pass or value strip.
* Phone: 877-525-3946.
* Web site: www.lakewinnie.com.
Special Admission Days
Coca-Cola Half-Off Fridays
* Every Friday from April 30 to Aug. 6, except June 11 and July 2.
* Bring a can from any Coke product, buy one unlimited ride pass at the regular price of $21 and receive one unlimited ride at $10.50.
* Standard gate admission of $5 is in addition to the buy-one, get-one half-off price.
Kiddie Day
* Every Thursday, April 29 to Aug. 5.
* Children ages 11 and younger get free gate admission.
* Unlimited rides: $18 per person.
McDonald's Family Days
* Sunday Family Days begin May 2.
* Wednesday Family Days begin June 2.
* Area McDonald's restaurants offer register receipts for $5 off unlimited-rides pass. Using register receipts is a change from past use of coupons obtained at McDonald's restaurants.
* For every register receipt received, $1 will be donated to the Chattanooga Area Ronald McDonald House.
* Each guest must have a separate register receipt.