February 10 - Zippin Pippin' Rides Again?

The mayor of Green Bay, Wis., says his city wants to buy the Zippin Pippin - Elvis' Presley's favorite ride at the Libertyland amusementpark - for its historic Bay Beach Amusement Park. Mayor Jim Schmitt, in Memphis Monday to see the vintage wooden roller coaster at its Libertyland site, did not disclose a purchase price, but said that most of the money Green Bay pays would go to relocation of the roller coaster. Schmitt said last week that re-engineering the roller coaster in Green Bay would cost “well over $1 million.” “We’re impressed,” Schmitt said after his early morning visit to the Zippin Pippin. “We’ve talked to our engineers, and this can happen.” Schmitt said he would begin negotiating with Save Libertyland Inc. and Mulroy in the hopes that the roller coaster would be operational in Green Bay in May 2011. He said preparatory construction work could begin as early as June or July. “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,” said Memphis Mayor A C Wharton, who met with Schmitt Monday morning.

Schmitt said the Zippin Pippin fits perfectly with his city’s historic amusement park, a “family-friendly” park which features 25-cent rides and is slated for expansion. Mike McCarthy, a filmmaker creating a documentary about the decline of Libertyland and the Zippin Pippin, and an officer with Save Libertyland, said he was happy that the roller coaster is getting a new home. “It’s awesome,” said McCarthy. “Let it go to a city that respects history and culture.”