Conneaut Lake Park’s 1938 wooden coaster only 7 spots away from winning $50,000 in Pepsi’s online voting contest

Conneaut Lake, PA:  The Pepsi Refresh project is awarding $1,300,000 each month to community projects.  Grant recipients are determined based upon the top projects as voted on by the public. The grant category that the Blue Streak roller coaster is in features hundreds of projects, and awards $50,000 to each of the top 10 spots. US residents ages 13 and older can vote daily for the project; voting ends July 31, 2010.

Conneaut Lake Park (est. 1892) has struggled against many hardships and opened in 2010 for the second season after having been closed for two years.  The Blue Streak last ran in 2006, and is currently being renovated.  Donations to this effort are crucial and can be made via the park’s website: www.conneautlakepark.com. Continued financial support, including this grant, could mean the coaster might run by the end of this ride season.

The coaster shares this historic park with the world’s oldest Tumble Bug, a carousel dating back to 1910, and the beautiful 1903 Hotel Conneaut, to name a few. American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) has recognized the Blue Streak as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, a designation reserved for rides of historical significance.  The Blue Streak is one of only two remaining coasters of its design.

A vote for the Blue Streak is a vote to preserve the memories and history of this nostalgic park.  To vote, go to www.conneautlakepark.com and click on the link or go directly to www.refresheverything.com/conneautlakeparkbluestreak.  To ensure the vote is truly cast, you must go to the bottom left of the voting page and “Sign In” or “Join Refresh Everything” THEN click on “Vote for this Idea.” You can (and should!) vote every day.