Astroworld to Celebrate 25th Anniversary of Texas Cyclone

Houston, TX -- To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Texas Cyclone (1976 - 2001), Six Flags AstroWorld is hosting Retro Revive Weekend, a dyno-mite 1970s celebration Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3.

Park Guests will enjoy disco dancing, contests, price rollbacks on merchandise and refreshments, retro decorations, '70s celebrity look-a-likes, plus the return of the Boogie Fog Disco. Guests can shake their "groove thang" to the funky sounds of Village People and disco divas Evelyn "Champagne" King and Thelma Houston for a FREE blockbuster concert Saturday, June 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the Coca-Cola Southern Star Amphitheatre.

Guests who bring an authentic AstroWorld season pass from the 1970s to the park's front gate June 1-3 will receive FREE admission into AstroWorld for themselves and up to 3 friends. Guests are encouraged to show off their favorite polyester leisure suits, platform shoes, and other'70s fashion "don'ts" and dance the day and night away at the revived "Boogie Fog Disco," a '70s AstroWorld hot-spot.

To kick off the event, everyone who rides the Texas Cyclone on Friday, June 1 will receive a special, 25th Anniversary commemorative button. Fans of the classic coaster may also purchase limited edition Texas Cyclone T-shirts in the park's gift shops.

Now in its 25th season, the Texas Cyclone is enjoying a "rebirth" with a modified restraint system similar to that of the ride's original cars. Gone are the high-backed headrests that surrounded the rider. Now Guests experience an improved view of the park in the comfortable, shoulder-high seats.

The modified cars have also enhanced the aerodynamics of the coaster, creating a more exciting ride with increased "airtime." Tim Baldwin, regional representative of the American Coaster Enthusiasts and co-author of Guide to Ride 2000: A Roller Coaster Directory of North America, gives the "new" Cyclone two thumbs up. "The comfort and openness of the modified Texas Cyclone has enthusiasts raving! Throughout its 25 years, the Texas Cyclone has often been regarded as one of the greatest wooden coasters ever built. This new 'return' to a great visual rider experience is very reminiscent of the Cyclone's glory years in the spotlight. The Cyclone could easily reclaim its place as a worldwide top ten coaster," Baldwin stated.

The Texas Cyclone, a classic figure-eight wooden coaster, debuted at Six Flags AstroWorld in 1976. Patterned after the 1927 Coney Island Cyclone, this park favorite travels 65-mph on a track 3,180 feet in length. Designed by William Cobb and Associates, the Texas Cyclone was built with 40,000 board feet of Douglas Fir lumber, 750 cubic yards of concrete, 25 tons of steel, and required 5,000 man-hours to complete. Once considered the world's top roller coaster, the Texas Cyclone continues to delight thrill seekers with its classic design and unparalleled excitement.