Coaster fans try to save Geauga Lake's Big Dipper

The American Coaster Enthusiasts group is attempting to find a local developer to help save Geauga Lake's classic Big Dipper wooden roller coaster. The coaster, which opened in 1925 as the Sky Rocket, is just one of several rides up for sale from the now-closed Cedar Fair park; the park's land property is being sold off as well. "Many of our rides are going to several of our other parks," said Lee Alexakos, Cedar Fair's corporate vice president of marketing and advertising. "Right now we're in the process of disassembling the rides."

According to Richard Munch, historian for ACE, the ride is one of 13 coasters left of its kind in the world, a "John Miller" coaster. John Miller was an inventor in the early part of the 20th century who is credited with inventing many safety systems for roller coasters, including underfriciton wheels, which keep cars locked on their tracks, enabling faster, more thrilling rides. Munch is also a board member for the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives, which is interested in turning Geauga Lake into the museum's base, with the Big Dipper preserved. In September, Cedar Fair announced it was shutting down the amusement park side of Geauga Lake because of low ticket sales, but still plans on opening the adjoining water park for the 2008 season. [via]