Rolling Thunder 1st Annual "Celebration of Our Veterans" 2009

Rolling Thunder Inc. is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to educating the public about many American prisoners of war that were left behind after all previous wars. The group is also dedicated to trying to correct the past as well as protecting future veterans from being left behind should they become POW/MIA's.

The Rolling Thunder 11th Chapter out of Dayton is hosting it's first ever "Celebration of Our Veterans". The event is 3 days long which includes a motorcycle ride Franklin to Middletown and then back to Franklin. The ride will stop only once at the Veteran's Memorial at Woodside Cemetery in Middletown. The Rolling Thunder will then present a wreath and place it on the memorial in remembrance of all our fallen veterans. There will be a festival that lasts from July 24th through July 26th at the VFW Park in Franklin Ohio which is located on Claude Thomas Road. The festival will include food, music, refreshments, a multitude of vendors, and special celebrations honoring our veterans with a special candlelight vigil Saturday evening. July 25th is also "POW/MIA Awareness Day" in Middletown.

There will be a gate cost which is undetermined as of now. There is also limited camping available at the park for those interested. For all the details on the ride and the festival go to the Rolling Thunder Chapter 11 website. The members of the Rolling Thunder are looking forward to seeing everybody there to support our Veterans and to remember those who were captured or lost in war.

2009 Midfirst Ohio Challenge

The 7th annual Midfirst Ohio Challenge is set to be held in Middletown, Ohio on July 17-19. It will be held at the gorgeous 100-acre Smith Park. This event features hot air balloon competitions and lots of festival fun such as the Team Fastrax professional skydiving team, live musical entertainment, a classic car show, arts and craft vendors, hot air balloon rides, a variety of fun festival food, airplane and helicopter rides, carnival games, and so much more.

It only costs $5 per carload or $2 per person if you walk in for everyone 13 and up. 12 and under are free. There are a variety of events that will be held throughout the festival ranging from early morning balloon launches to the Mega Arena set up for a mess-free version of paintball to an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast served by the Guinness World Book of Records “Fastest Flipper” Chris Cakes.

Come out for a fun-filled weekend with the family at the 2009 Midfest Ohio Challenge! Click here for more information concerning the Midfest Ohio Challenge.

Vortex Struck Down By Diamondback?

The newest thrill seeker sensation at Cedar Park's King's Island is on it's way to becoming the most popular debut for a ride at the park in over 20 years. Diamondback is the biggest investment in the park's history, coming in at $22 million. This 230ft high, 5,282ft long hypercoaster tops out at speeds of up to 80mph with 10 drops and a splashdown area at the end of the ride.Diamondback is one of only five rollercoasters in the world to feature a splashdown area.

As of Tuesday, July 7, the ride had attracted over 800,000 riders. The current record holder for the biggest debut is Vortex, which opened in 1987. When it opened, Vortex had an hourly rider count of 1,500 people and topped out at an incredible 2,183,642 riders in its first year. However, Diamondback is hot on it's trail, amassing and hourly rider rate of 1,600 people. Diamondback has accumulated 15,000 more riders than Vortex did at this point when it opened some 22 years ago.

Diamondback is the second attraction to be added to the park in two years following the transfer of the ride Firehawk. Firehawk was originally located in Six Flags worlds of Adventure under the name X-Flight. It was moved in 2007 to King's Island and given a new name and a new paint job. Firehawk has also seen big success at King's Island but nothing comparable to what is happening with Diamondback. At the rate it is going now, Diamondback could very likely be the biggest debuted ride in King's Island history. The ride has been getting very high praise from riders saying it is doing for riders now what The Beast and Vortex did for riders of their times.

Visit the official website for Photos of the Diamondback Roller Coaster