September 7 , 2007

Beech Bend Honored with Golden Ticket Awards

Amusement Today Magazine Recognizes Best of the Best

Bowling Green, Ky. - Amusement park fans from across the world have voted and the results are in. Beech Bend Amusement Park in Bowling Green tied with California’s Disneyland as the 5th Friendliest Park in the world, according to Amusement Today magazine’s annual survey.

The park’s Kentucky Rumbler also took honors as the 13th Best Wooden Rollercoaster, up from #20 in last year’s results and “inching its way towards the top ten” according to the magazine.

The 2007 Golden Ticket Award winners were announced Wednesday at an award’s show hosted by Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind. is the winner in the Friendliest Park category, followed by Dollywood, Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, Pa., and Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. came in fourth.

The Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is not surprised by the recognition Beech Bend is receiving. “Dallas Jones and his staff are dedicated, not only to promoting their attraction, but also by making all visitors feel welcome to the area,” said BGACVB Executive Director Vicki Fitch.

This is the tenth annual year for Amusement Today’s coveted Golden Ticket Awards, which are the most sought after awards in the business of amusements and attractions. The awards have become the subject of much discussion by park aficionados across the world, have garnered mentions in such notable media outlets as USA Today and the Chicago Tribune, by venerable radio newsman Paul Harvey, and were the topic of a one-hour documentary on the Travel Channel.

An equal number of surveys were sent to each of four geographical regions of the U.S. in addition to several international participants. Amusement Today magazine covers international amusement and water park news and trends. In its 11-year history, the magazine is a five-time winner of various awards from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

For a detailed outline of the 2007 winners and survey results, visit www.amusementtoday.com.

For more information contact Charlotte Gonzales at 270.781.7634.

News media may also call the Amusement Today offices at 817.460.7220.

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