Kings Island employees to reunite

MASON — Kings Island is hosting a reunion Saturday, Sept. 4, for past employees on the same day it honors two accomplished alumnus.

“Our annual reunion is a great way to reconnect with old friends and bring back memories,” said Greg Scheid, Kings Island’s vice president and general manager. “Whether you worked in admissions, rides, games, merchandise, landscaping, maintenance, the water park or any other division, you’re invited to come back for a great day of fun.”

Park spokesman Don Helbig said the park will welcome two new inductees into the Kings Island Walk of Fame: Lewis Johnson, who covered six Olympics for NBC, and Rob Pottorf, a composer with several film score to his credit.

Johnson, who lives in Dallas, was a rides associate/supervisor from 1981-87, including the Beast and Racer. Pottorf, who lives in Los Angeles, Calif. and Lexington, Ky., worked at the park as a performer from 1980-85, and then spent another 11 years as senior composer for Paramount Parks.

The 364-acre amusement park has employed more than 160,000 associates since the park opened in 1972.

Other famous former employees went on to become Miss America (Susan Perkins, 1978), Miss Ohio (Susan Kay Johnson, 1987) or appear in television and movies, such as actors Woody Harrelson, Carmen Electra, Lisa Akey and Gigi Rice.

Kings Island gates will open at 9 a.m., with the rides and attractions opening at 10 a.m.. The induction ceremony is open to the public and will take place at 9:45 a.m. in front of the fountains on International Street.

Discount tickets are available for $22.99. Special activities for reunion participants include early ride times on Diamondback and Beast roller coasters, a group photo, behind the scenes tour of the Beast and an evening reception in the International Restaurant.

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