Historic Pa. Coaster Reopens, Wins $50K From Pepsi
CONNEAUT LAKE, Pa. (AP) – The sixth-oldest roller coaster in America has reopened for the holiday weekend at Conneaut Lake Park in northwestern Pennsylvania, and has won $50,000 from Pepsi that will be used to restore it and keep it running.
The Blue Streak has been idle since 2006, though the 118-year-old park remains open despite financial problems in recent years. Built in 1938, the Blue Streak is one of two Ed Vettel-designed coasters that are still standing.
The Pepsi Refresh Project is giving the park $50,000 after online voters picked it to receive assistance as an “arts and culture’’ project.
Park patrons will pay $3 beyond their admission fee to ride the coaster, with the extra money also earmarked for restoring the coaster.