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January 7, 2000

Americana Owners Close the Park After 77 Years

Middletown, OH -- American Amusement Park will be no more, according to park owners who announced Thursday that they will close the park after 77 years of operation.

"It was not an easy decision," said John Ellison, executive vice president of Park River West, the parent company that owns the amusement park. Park River purchased the park in 1996.

Ellison cited growing competition from several nearby theme parks and lower than expected attendance figures as the reason for closing the park. Americana located 20 miles north of Cincinnati is estimated to have drawn more than 200,000 visitors in 1999.

According to Ellison, attendance at the park has risen in both 1998 and 1999, but has failed to meet the expectations set by parent company. Company officials are currently looking for new owners who may be interested in purchasing the park.

Americana featured more than 40 rides and attractions, including the Screechin' Eagle, a 1927 John Miller designed out and back wooden coaster. The wooden coaster will be huge loss for coaster fans. The 78-foot tall, 2,640 foot long coaster was considered an outstanding classic ride, with plenty of airtime.

In addition to the Screechin' Eagle the park was also home to a compact steel twister coaster and a junior kiddie coaster.

Other classic attractions located at the park were a Log Flume, Flying Scooters, Whip, Rock-O-Plane and a Super Slide. In addition to the adult attractions, the park owned 11 kiddie rides for the parks younger guests.