Category Archives: News

Zippin Pippin to Wisconsin

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Although there is still no official confirmation, the Zippin Pippin will likely be moving to Wisconsin. According to the Associated Press,

“MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – If the mayor of Green Bay, Wis., gets his way, the old wooden roller coaster Elvis Presley loved to ride will be rolling north.

The Commercial Appeal reported Mayor Jim Schmitt and Green Bay’s parks director Bill Landvatter were in Memphis on Monday, looking over the Zippin Pippin, which is being dismantled.

Schmitt didn’t disclose the asking price, but said most of what he anticipates his city paying would be to move the coaster to Beach Bay Amusement Park.

It’s being disassembled after the closure of Libertyland amusement park in 2005 and the planned redevelopment of the site.

Schmitt said he’s talked to city engineers and said “this can happen.”

Schmitt said he would recommend his city “work diligently” to acquire the Pippin and move it.”

Click here to see new photos of the Zippin Pippin.

Update from Memphis’ mayor:

“This morning, I met with Mayor Jim Schmitt of Green Bay, Wisconsin to discuss the potential sale and relocation of the Zippin Pippin roller coaster Mayor Schmitt and members of his staff have been in Memphis since yesterday afternoon and spent this morning on the Fairgrounds examining the roller coaster up close, prior to meeting with me in City Hall. While both of us have a number of due diligence steps left to take, the conversation was tremendously encouraging. By all accounts, Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay sounds like it would be a wonderful new home for the Pippin, and I plan on doing everything I can to help the process move forward. This is a wonderful opportunity for both of our great cities, and we are hopeful that it will lead to something of great mutual value and benefit for all of our citizens.”

Libertyland to close

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The original press release:

Libertyland Closed for 2006 Season

MEMPHIS – It appears Libertyland, the amusement park where millions of Mid-South families have spent a hot summer day over the past 30 years, won’t be open for the 2006 season.

The Mid-South Fair Commission met today and approved a motion not to re-open the amusement park. The Commission says the Mid-South Fair will continue, but did not discuss where the Fair will be held in 2006.

Libertyland is perhaps best known for its “Zippin’ Pippin’” ride which is said to be the nation’s oldest wooden roller coaster and one Elvis Presley loved. When the park opened in the mid-70′s, throngs of families would head to the park and it was the first employer for many a teenager.

However, the park has struggled in recent years. It is expected to lose $500,000 this year. On top of that, theme parks nationally have struggled including those owned by big corporations.

Libertyland is jointly owned by the city and county and is non-profit. In the past several years, money made by the Mid-South Fair has subsidized the losses – both share property on the Mid-South fairgrounds.