Cedar Point to Host Coaster Enthusiasts From Around The World

Sandusky, OH -- Roller coaster enthusiasts from around the world will be visiting Cedar Point today and next Friday to celebrate and enjoy the world's largest collection of roller coasters. Today, the amusement park/resort hosts CoasterMania '08 and a week later, Friday, June 13, the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain will visit Cedar Point.

CoasterMania was first held in 1978 to commemorate the opening of Gemini, a 125-foot-tall double-racing coaster and Cedar Point's first to hold the distinction of "tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world."

The event was again resurrected in 1989 to introduce the 205-foot tall Magnum XL-200, the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world at that time. CoasterMania has been held every year since and today participants will celebrate the 19th anniversary of the event -- by riding roller coasters from sunrise into the early hours of Saturday, June 7.

In total, coaster enthusiasts will be able to ride Cedar Point's roller coasters from more than 18.5 hours. Approximately 1,400 coaster enthusiasts are expected to attend the event.

Cedar Point boasts the largest collection of roller coasters at a single park with 17. Favorites include Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster and last year's newcomer, Maverick, named the "Best New Ride of 2007" by the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA).

Seven days from today, approximately six-dozen members of The Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain (RCCGB) will visit the park. Formed in 1988, the group will be celebrating its 20th year anniversary. RCCGB now has more than 1,200 members from more than 15 different countries.

The club's visit this year will be special since it will be the 15th anniversary of the organization's first trip to the United States.

See related: Cedar Point, Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain