Month: May 2018

Some rides to open at noon Friday at Schlitterbahn

Schlitterbahn Waterpark’s spokeswoman has released a statement that the park will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, May 25, the park’s original opening date.

The rides and attractions that will be open at the waterpark in Kansas City, Kansas, include the Torrent, Torrent Beach, Torrent Cove, Kinderhaven, Pirate Ship and Henry’s Hideout, according to the statement. None of these rides was mentioned in the Kansas Department of Labor auditor report that came out only days before the park’s scheduled opening.

According to the Schlitterbahn spokeswoman, the hours this weekend will be:
Noon to 5 p.m. Friday; and
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday.

“We are glad to say that we have addressed the bulk of the issues in the report and we are fully confident that our rides and park are safe and ready,” Schlitterbahn’s spokeswoman stated. “However, the attorneys, inspectors, consultants, and staff for KDOL and Wyandotte County still need to complete their process. Until that process is complete, we will not open the other rides.”

Schlitterbahn issued a statement and sent a letter to KDOL on May 23 concerning an audit by the state. Many of the items in the audit report contained citations about paperwork and documentation. The rides are safe and there are no mechanical failures on the rides, according to Schlitterbahn, but they will wait until the issues in the report are fully addressed before opening the rides that were mentioned in the audit.

Schlitterbahn’s letter to the KDOL is available at https://schlitterbahnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/KCWM-letter-to-M-James.pdf.

21st annual Jack West Scholarship Scramble set Saturday, June 9

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Registration is now underway for the 21st Annual Jack West Memorial Scholarship Scramble to be held at Dud’s Dread Golf Club Saturday, June 9.

A four-person scramble, all proceeds will go to the Jack West Foundation which assists students in need of financial aid to continue their educations. A soccer and tennis player at Kansas City Kansas Community College, West was shot and killed while returning home June 11, 1997.

The cost to enter is $400 per team or $100 per individual. Golfers without teams will be assigned to teams as needed. The fee covers green fees, cart, on course refreshments and a post-tournament dinner and sports and gift auction at Dub’s Dread.

Entries including name, home and email addresses and phone numbers for each team member should be mailed to Dan Pratt in care of the Jack West Foundation, 16561 Meadowlark Lane, Basehor, KS., 66007. Those with questions and who want registration information may call 816-590-5739.

Sponsorships are also available. They include major sponsorship, $1,000; corporate, $500; beverage, $200; individual holes, $100; and cart sponsor, $50.

Shrine Rodeo kicks off tonight in Tonganoxie with free admission for first responders

The Shrine Rodeo and Demo Derby gallops into Tonganoxie for its 59th annual visit May 24-26.

With horses, bulls, and the horsepower powered by fuel, the Shrine Rodeo and Demo Derby will be held at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds.

There will be two nights of rodeo on May 24-25 and a night of demo action on May 26.

Held by the Abdallah Shrine Temple, it’s a good family event, said organizers Bennie Smith, 2018 potentate, and Kevin Larson, past potentate. “It’s kid friendly,” Smith said. “There is constant activity and action-packed and it grabs the attention of the kids.”

The Abdallah Shrine makes it possible for families to attend the rodeo and demo derby at a reasonable price. “It’s actually affordable, compared to other events in the area,” Larson said. “We want people in the stands, having a good time. We work to keep the costs down.”

Individual tickets are $15 each for adults and $5 each for children. Family plan tickets are $60, including two adult tickets, two child tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks.

Smith and Larson have been members of the Abdallah Shrine for 35 and 25 years. Smith has volunteered with the rodeo for the past 10 years, and Larson for 25. The event is produced by volunteer labor, with thousands of hours going into putting on the rodeo and demo. The rodeo was started in 1960. The demo derby was added in 2012.

Family Fun Packs are available for the rodeo nights of May 24-25 and include two adult tickets, two children’s tickets and four meal deals for $50. On May 19, the price went to $60. The Family Fun Packs are valued at $70.

The Thursday, May 24, night of the rodeo is First Responders and Military Appreciation night. All first responders, including policemen and women, fire fighters, and EMTs, plus all military, and their families, get into the rodeo free. First responders and military should bring identification with them.

The Shrine Rodeo and Demo Derby will be held at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds in Tonganoxie May 24-26. Tickets can be purchased online at ShrineRodeo.com, at Brothers’ Market in Tonganoxie, and at the gate. For more information, visit the website, www.shrinerodeo.com, the event’s Facebook page (search for Shrine Rodeo), or call the Shrine office at 913-362-5300.