For those of us that have lived here our entire life, you would probably agree that Memphis isn't the best place for consistant entertainment. Sure, Beale St. offers some good nights and some great music. The Memphis Zoo is ranked one of the best in the country. There's the Brooks Museum of Art and the Childrens Museum of Memphis for the historian and art lover in all of us. But if you're like me, or if you're not from Memphis, you might be asking yourself the same question that I ask on a regular basis. Where is the amusement park???
Well friends, the truth is, there is none. 2005 saw the last of Libertyland, which was our small, yet still fun place of amusement. The park closed down due to lack of funding and rising operation costs. Libertyland was home to Elvis' favorite ride, the Zippin' Pippin, as well as one of the country's most beautiful grand carousels, a brand new drop tower, classic shows, and much more. You can get a full list of all the rides along with pictures and a few videos post closing via the Libertyland site at Thrillhunter.com.
The closest thing to the late Libertyland we can get comes once a year in the form of the Mid-South Fair. A beautiful midway lined with Pronto Pup stands, games of chance, and the occasional ride spread out across the Memphis Fairgrounds once a year. Who hasn't been down there, especially at night, on top of the huge ferris wheel, on the Ring of Fire, or just simply walking down the midway with all the lights, sounds, and familiar smells surrounding you. But word as of last year puts a stop to this legendary Memphis tradition as well. That's right folks, just like everything else great that was in Memphis, it's moving to Mississippi. In 2009, the Mid-South Fair will be held in Tunica, MS and Memphis will officially be without any type of amusement park or fair.
If you've even seen a picture of Memphis, you've noticed the huge pyramid located right beside the river. Since the FedExForum opened it's doors, the Pyramid has been vacant with not even a passing glance given to it by city officials. There were two offers put on the table for city officials to review to fill the vacant landmark. One idea was what I believed to be the best idea all around, and that was to turn the Pyramid and surrounding areas into a very nice, modern amusement park. Including an indoor roller coaster, the park would spill into Mud Island and swing under the I-40 overpass to create a large, family fun park for everyone to enjoy. And for the city, they had a heck of an incentive. "We'll pay off the pyramid of all debt before we move in and begin building." Before this idea was on the table, Bass Pro Shop put an idea on the table, wanting to turn the building into a large outdoor superstore. The difference with Bass Pro Shop and the group with the amusement park is that Bass Pro Shop will not pay off the debt that is owed on the Pyramid. When I first heard about this idea, I thought "No way. They will not let that historical building become a store. It just won't happen." Well, apparently our beloved Memphis City Council loves their outdoors, because due to putting the amusement park idea on hold and kissing up to Bass Pro Shop for so long, the park will not happen. Here recently, the city granted Bass Pro ANOTHER extention on their contract to move in until mid September.
The point that I'm trying to make here is this. With all of these organizations moving their operations to Mississippi and Arkansas, does the city of Memphis really think that we're doing good? Our kids no longer have a fun place to go during the summer to scream their heads off and eat cotton candy right before going on The Revolution. (Ah, memories.) I'm 23 years old now, but I bet you that if Memphis got a new amusement park, I'd be there on opening day. I hate the fact that I have to go to St. Louis to ride a roller coaster Even though The Revolution was only like 8 seconds long and the Pippin gave me a headache that wouldn't go away for 2 months, I sitll loved it. So I put this question out to the city of Memphis. If you want us to have fun in the city, if you don't want us to go to Mississippi or Arkansas for entertainment, then why are you taking everything we love and enjoy away?
Do you have any other places in Memphis that have shut their doors that was a mainstay in your childhood or at any point in your life? Post it here as a comment on this post and share your memories with everyone!
Well friends, the truth is, there is none. 2005 saw the last of Libertyland, which was our small, yet still fun place of amusement. The park closed down due to lack of funding and rising operation costs. Libertyland was home to Elvis' favorite ride, the Zippin' Pippin, as well as one of the country's most beautiful grand carousels, a brand new drop tower, classic shows, and much more. You can get a full list of all the rides along with pictures and a few videos post closing via the Libertyland site at Thrillhunter.com.
The closest thing to the late Libertyland we can get comes once a year in the form of the Mid-South Fair. A beautiful midway lined with Pronto Pup stands, games of chance, and the occasional ride spread out across the Memphis Fairgrounds once a year. Who hasn't been down there, especially at night, on top of the huge ferris wheel, on the Ring of Fire, or just simply walking down the midway with all the lights, sounds, and familiar smells surrounding you. But word as of last year puts a stop to this legendary Memphis tradition as well. That's right folks, just like everything else great that was in Memphis, it's moving to Mississippi. In 2009, the Mid-South Fair will be held in Tunica, MS and Memphis will officially be without any type of amusement park or fair.
If you've even seen a picture of Memphis, you've noticed the huge pyramid located right beside the river. Since the FedExForum opened it's doors, the Pyramid has been vacant with not even a passing glance given to it by city officials. There were two offers put on the table for city officials to review to fill the vacant landmark. One idea was what I believed to be the best idea all around, and that was to turn the Pyramid and surrounding areas into a very nice, modern amusement park. Including an indoor roller coaster, the park would spill into Mud Island and swing under the I-40 overpass to create a large, family fun park for everyone to enjoy. And for the city, they had a heck of an incentive. "We'll pay off the pyramid of all debt before we move in and begin building." Before this idea was on the table, Bass Pro Shop put an idea on the table, wanting to turn the building into a large outdoor superstore. The difference with Bass Pro Shop and the group with the amusement park is that Bass Pro Shop will not pay off the debt that is owed on the Pyramid. When I first heard about this idea, I thought "No way. They will not let that historical building become a store. It just won't happen." Well, apparently our beloved Memphis City Council loves their outdoors, because due to putting the amusement park idea on hold and kissing up to Bass Pro Shop for so long, the park will not happen. Here recently, the city granted Bass Pro ANOTHER extention on their contract to move in until mid September.
The point that I'm trying to make here is this. With all of these organizations moving their operations to Mississippi and Arkansas, does the city of Memphis really think that we're doing good? Our kids no longer have a fun place to go during the summer to scream their heads off and eat cotton candy right before going on The Revolution. (Ah, memories.) I'm 23 years old now, but I bet you that if Memphis got a new amusement park, I'd be there on opening day. I hate the fact that I have to go to St. Louis to ride a roller coaster Even though The Revolution was only like 8 seconds long and the Pippin gave me a headache that wouldn't go away for 2 months, I sitll loved it. So I put this question out to the city of Memphis. If you want us to have fun in the city, if you don't want us to go to Mississippi or Arkansas for entertainment, then why are you taking everything we love and enjoy away?
Do you have any other places in Memphis that have shut their doors that was a mainstay in your childhood or at any point in your life? Post it here as a comment on this post and share your memories with everyone!
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