Zippin Pippin ready to ride in Green Bay

By: Associated Press May 18, 2011 9:51 am

Dan Carpenter of Miron Construction Co. Inc., Neenah, saws lumber in January for the track during work on the Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay. The ride is set to open this weekend. (AP Photo/H. Marc Larson, Press-Gazette)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A replica of Elvis Presley’s favorite roller coaster will open this weekend at a Green Bay amusement park.

After nine months of construction, the Zippin Pippin is ready to roll at Bay Beach Amusement Park. It’s been 75 years since the amusement park had a roller coaster. The nearly $4 million coaster is expected to generate $383,000 for Bay Beach each year.

WLUK-TV says the city purchased the Zippin Pippin name, design and history from a Tennessee amusement park. Part of the documented history is that the ride was Elvis’ favorite roller coaster.

Information from: WLUK-TV, http://www.fox11online.com