Welcome to the Zippin Pippin Update Page
Here you will find all the news about the Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park that we find on the web. You can find pictures on the progress of the coaster on our construction page in the drop down menu above under ***Zippin Pippin*** or by clicking here.
Another great source is the Zippin Pippin Blog where you can get a week to week update of construction.
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Please also visit the official Zippin Pippin Page for updates from Bay Beach Amusement Park and watch the progress on their web cam.
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News and Web Articles
May 24 – Too early to judge Zippin Pippin’s impact
The anticipation leading up to the debut last weekend of the Zippin Pippin roller coaster was just a warm-up to the ride’s thunderous opening.
The city of Green Bay reported Monday that the attraction drew 5,000 riders — more than double the 2,000 it expects on average each day throughout the season at Bay Beach Amusement Park. It’s a good turnout considering the park closed early both days due to rain and a thunderstorm. But it’s too early to judge the thrill ride’s potential impact on local tourism, based on the number of riders that turned out Saturday and Sunday for the park’s new season.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
May 23 -Pippin rides again as transplanted coaster opens to rave reviews in Wisconsin
For those Memphis-area residents who may follow Steve Mulroy’s lead and travel one day to this city known most for NFL titles, for those who remember the wooden roller coaster that thrilled Memphians young and old for nearly a century, it is a startling sight.
More from The Commercial Appeal
May 19 - Zippin Pippin gets ready to rattle and roll
The only thing missing now is Elvis.
The Zippin Pippin roller coaster roared into action Tuesday as the newest attraction at Green Bay’s beloved Bay Beach Amusement Park.
At a special sneak preview for the news media, city officials showed off the wooden roller coaster in full operational mode after nine months of construction.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
May 19 – Bay Beach plans for the future
When the Zippin Pippin roller-coaster opens Saturday, it could be just the start of expansion at the Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay.
The Green Bay Parks Department gave Action 2 News at sneak peek Wednesday at Bay Beach’s proposed master plan.
A landscaping firm in Madison helped put it together.
Some ideas including adding seven more rides along the central “spine” in the middle of the park (one of them could be a large Ferris wheel), an ice skating rink behind the pavilion, a manicured beach beyond that, and a boardwalk along the bay shore.
May 18 - City Leaders say that Coaster won’t change Bay Beach
Despite some media reports saying the Zippin Pippin roller-coaster could attract teens looking for trouble, city leaders stand behind Bay Beach Amusement Park’s new addition, saying the park’s character won’t change.
The roller-coaster opening Saturday is the brand-new deal at Bay Beach in Green Bay.
May 18 - Fox11Online reviews Zippin Pippin
As a roller coaster fan and the father of twin six-year-old girls, I was sent – OK, OK, it was my idea – to go to Bay Beach Amusement Park’s media day to ride the Zippin Pippin and offer up a review.
The verdict?
Thumbs up. Surprisingly fast. But more on the ride in a moment.
I am no roller coaster expert, but I’ve ridden more than three dozen different coasters and even made the pilgrimage to Cedar Point Amusement Park to test out its collection. As a parent, I’ve seen my girls reaction to their first coaster attempt – the Orange Streak at the Mall of America – and their excitement about the Zippin Pippin.
With that in mind, I think the ride is a great addition to Bay Beach. It’s big enough to have some excitement and thrills but not so big that kids – the park’s demographic – are going to be scared of it.
May 10 - Green Bay Alderman says No strip club near Bay Beach Amusement Park
Alderman Chris Wery wants the City Council to reject an application to open a strip club close to Bay Beach Amusement Park and the Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Protection & Welfare Committee recently voted to approve the adult entertainment and liquor license applications for Brenda Nichols of Green Bay. She is proposing to open the establishment at 1905 N. Irwin Ave., the site of the former Maria’s Restaurant.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
May 10- Zippin Pippin may change Bay Beach
For much of its 100-year history, Bay Beach Amusement Park has stayed true to a proven formula: wholesome family fun with an emphasis on small children.
Starting this spring, the bumper cars, merry-go-round and other kiddie rides will stand in the shadows of a new attraction aimed at a different demographic.
Green Bay officials are adding the Zippin Pippin roller coaster into the mix with the hope of drawing new crowds of teenagers and young adults.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette.
April 26 - Zippin Pippin opening delayed and first successful test run
The opening day of the re-created Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay, WI has been delayed to May 21st. Mother Nature hasn’t been kind to the area and has caused delays in the testing and training of the Zippin Pippin and park employees.
In other news, the first successful test runs of the Zippin Pippin were completed on Monday! I have posted to our construction page a video.
April 19 - American Coaster Enthusiasts donates $5,000 to city of Green Bay for reconstruction of Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park
American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) recently donated $5,000 to provide support and assistance to the city of Green Bay and their efforts to reconstruct Zippin Pippin at Bay Beach Amusement Park. Zippin Pippin was purchased from the city of Memphis last year and is currently being reconstructed at the Green Bay park.
April 18 - Green Bay to hold contest for first rides on Zippin Pippin
Green Bay city officials are holding a contest to decide who’ll ride Elvis Presley’s favorite roller coaster first when it opens on May 7 at Bay Beach Amusement Park.
See more from Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel
Officials want residents to write about why the amusement park is meaningful to them in the coming days before the opening of the Zippin Pippin.
See more from Mephis Daily News
March 21 - Zippin Pippin final construction update from ZippinPippin.Blogspot
This is the final construction update for the Bay Beach Zippin Pippin Roller Coaster. Construction is pretty much complete, the crews from Miron will be finished and off site early next week. The difference in activity level is dramatic, two of the three construction trailers are packed up and ready to leave the site and nearly all of the construction materials have been consumed. With any luck the next post will be a testing update, followed shortly by a grand opening update.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
March 1 – Zippin Pippin construction winding down
Work on the track has just about wrapped up on the Bay Beach Zippin Pippin Roller Coaster here in Green Bay. Activity will wind down now for a few weeks until the trains arrive and testing begins in early April.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
March 1 – Zippin Pippin may lure legions of Elvises
There could be a whole lotta shakin’ going on when Elvis Presley’s favorite roller coaster rolls into Green Bay this summer. City officials are considering inviting Elvis impersonators en masse to entertain crowds at the Zippin Pippin roller coaster.
Scheduled to debut here in May, the Zippin Pippin was Presley’s favorite amusement park ride during its previous incarnation in Memphis, Tenn.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
February 13 - Constuction Update 2/11
Another cold week in Green Bay but an exciting one as the city celebrates the Packers win in Super Bowl XLV. At Bay Beach Amusement park neither the cold weather or the Packer victory stopped progress on the Zippin Pippin Roller Coaster.The biggest change this week is the addition of the brakes. The only brakes on this coaster are inside of the oval right before and at the loading platform. During my visit crews were busy bolting the brake assemblies into place.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
February 10 – Zippin Pippin will be a new summer tradition
When I first met my husband 18 years ago, one of the things we had in common besides the Green Bay Packers was our passion for riding roller coasters. We even planned our vacations around theme parks. Therefore, we were ecstatic when it was announced last year that Green Bay was getting its very own roller coaster, the Zippin Pippin.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
February 8 – Construction update 2/4/2011
Cold and snow won’t deter the construction of Zippin Pippin. Crews were adding insulation and drywall to the inside of the two enclosed structures on the roller coaster. The first structure houses the lift motor, gearbox, and sprocket. The second structure is under the loading platform and will be used to house some of the mechanical elements on the final brake run and loading platform.
Even with the cold and snow they did manage to complete the steel on turn 2, all the way down the first drop, and were just wrapping up the steel going up the first uphill after the first drop an into turn 3.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
January 30 – Construction update 1/28/2011
We are now less than 100 days away from the planned opening of the Zippin Pippin Roller Coaster at Bay Beach Amusement park in Green Bay Wisconsin!
This week there was more activity surrounding the lift hill, more steel added to the track in zones 1 and 2, more wood track laid in zone 3, and the lift chain and brakes are now visible on site waiting to be installed.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
January 27 – Construction update 1/25/2011
The official Zippin Pippin site has posted some new construction pics.
January 24, 2011 – Construction update 1/21/2011
Some more detailed areas effort remains focused on the lift hill area. Chain trays have been added between the lift house and the sprocket at the bottom of the lift hill and a chain tray is being added to the lift hill. Meanwhile it appears that most of the vertical construction is near completion.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
January 20, 2011 – Concerns raised about Zippin Pippin with Mayoral candidate questioning ride’s benefit
A Green Bay mayoral candidate claims city hall documents reveal the Zippin Pippin will now cost more than $4 million. Pat Evans, who is currently a Brown County supervisor, says a city employee came to him with the inside information on Bay Beach’s first roller coaster. “The people on the inside, in city hall, are saying it’s a boondoggle,” said Evans. Evans says the person wanted financial information revealed about the roller coaster, but feared being fired by Mayor Jim Schmitt.
December 31 – Zippin Pippin construction update 12/31/2010
With the representatives from MVR at home for the holidays local crews weren’t able to place the last remaining bents and finish the main structure. Out at the out and back turn around the structure looks very similar to last week. However lots of progress has been made to the electrical and station.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
December 28 – Zippin Pippin construction update 12/23/2010
Out in zone 3 there has been a little bit of progress on the turn around of the out and back. A few more bents are in place and one other waiting to be put into place. Completing the structure should go very quickly after the holidays.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
December 28 – Zippin Pippin construction ahead of schedule
Construction on the Zippin Pippen roller coaster on Green Bay’s waterfront is two weeks ahead of schedule. The wooden roller coaster is a replica of a longtime Memphis, Tenn., attraction. It was renowned as Elvis Presley’s favorite amusement park ride.
December 12 – Zippin Pippin in the snow
The first thing you’ll notice is we now have snow on the ground, the forecast is calling for a major storm Saturday so the Pippin is going to be cold for a while! In the photo below you will see the snow and the structure for the first hill on the out and back.
More from ZippinPippin.Blogspot
More from Bay Beach Zippin Pippin Facebook page
December 6 – Zippin Pippin roller coaster in Green Bay on track despite cost overrun
Recently revised cost estimates for the Zippin Pippin roller coaster gave us pause, but it still appears the project is on solid footing — and hopefully poised to become a moneymaker for the city of Green Bay.
The under-construction project at Bay Beach Amusement Park now is expected to cost $3.5 million, up from the original estimate of $3.3 million — $3 million for the coaster plus a $300,000 contingency fund, parks director Bill Landvatter told a member of the Green Bay Press-Gazette editorial board Friday.
The coaster’s foundation initially was expected to cost about $200,000, a figure officials later revised upward, Landvatter said. The original estimate remained part of the project budget, resulting in the cost overrun.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
December 4 – Zippin Pippin turn after lift hill completed
Zippin Pippin Blogpost has some new photos up showing the completed turn after the lift hill.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
November 29 – Zippin Pippin roller coaster cost rises to $3.5M for Green Bay
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt is stepping up his fundraising goal to cover cost overruns on the Zippin Pippin roller coaster. City officials say the construction project now is expected to cost $3.5 million, up from the original $3 million estimate. Schmitt said $300,000 in city reserves have been tapped, and he believes private donations will cover the rest of the deficit.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
November 26 - Zippin Pippin really starting to take shape
Crews have started to build the framing around the structure that will house the lift motor. Next week the structure for turn 2 should be complete; according to workers on the site they plan to be finished by Tuesday (11/30). Structure work will then begin in zone 3, this work should progress very quickly since the height is much less in this zone. They expect to have the entire structure completed by Christmas, the remainder of the winter construction will then consist of completing the track and adding mechanical elements like brakes, lift mechanism, and transfer mechanism.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
November 26 – Zippin Pippin Costs Riding Up
Green Bay’s new roller-coaster is on the fast track to completion. Construction of the Zippin Pippin is ahead of schedule, but there’s another aspect of the project that’s ahead of where it should be as well. When the Zippin Pippin could only be imagined, the cost to build it seemed steadfast. “Three million dollars is a good price. It’s a very affordable price,” Mayor Jim Schmitt said back in February. But as fast as the coaster rises over Bay Beach Amusement Park, so too does the price tag. City estimates now put the project between $3.4 and $3.5 million — hundreds of thousands of dollars over budget.
November 14 – Zippin Pippin lift hill topped off
The structure for the lift hill is now complete, along with an American flag in the tallest position.
More from ZippinPippin.blogspot
November 11 – Hundreds of children’s signatures now are part of the Zippin Pippin roller coaster.
A wooden beam autographed by Green Bay children was hoisted into place Wednesday near the top of the 70-foot-tall coaster under construction at Bay Beach Amusement Park.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
November 4 – Zippin Pippin continues to grow
Zippin Pippin official website posted more construction photos as the coaster grows. The lift hill and first couple of turns are nearing completion.
October 28 – Zippin Pippin actually starting to look like roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park
The historic wooden roller coaster is scheduled to debut in May.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
October 22 – Zippin Pippin roller coaster continues to grow
The official Zippin Pippin website posts some more spectacular construction photos. It appears that the turnaround after the first drop is almost complete.
More from the Official Zippin Pippin website
October 20 - Zippin Pippin roller coaster gets new life as star of Green Bay park
The project to replicate the Zippin Pippin has been set on the fast track.
“That roller coaster is going to outlast all of us,” said Mayor Jim Schmitt of Green Bay, Wis.
That city recently held a celebration of the historic ride, which once anchored Libertyland in Memphis and soon will be the flagship attraction at Wisconsin’s Bay Beach Amusement Park.
More from The Commercial Appeal
October – 15 – Construction update Zippin Pippin Blogspot
More from ZippinPippin.Blogspot
October 8 – Zippin Pippin coming together at Bay Beach
It will take more than 50 miles of lumber to bring the Zippin Pippin roller coaster to life. And every inch of it has arrived at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay.
Just two months after construction crews arrived on site, the $3 million roller coaster development is zooming ahead.
All the materials have been delivered. The concrete foundation should be done by Thanksgiving. And fabrication of the 70-foot-tall wooden frame is under way.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
October 4, 2010 – Zippin Pippin goes vertical
Upright pieces were installed adding to the excitement of the project. Workers moved the pieces into place and drilled holes to accept the large bolts which hold them securely in place.
September 23, 2010 - Replica of Elvis’ favorite coaster going up at Green Bay park
It was the King’s favorite.
Elvis so loved the Zippin Pippin roller coaster that he sometimes rented out the Memphis amusement park where it rose 63 feet into the air and stretched out 740 feet, riding it for hours. Just him and his posse. In fact, he did that eight days before he died. Eventually the historic wooden coaster met its own demise, succumbing to the killer of many old amusement parks – real estate development. Rescued by the city known for its gridiron team and brutal winters, the Zippin Pippin will be reincarnated at a small amusement park in Green Bay.
More From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
September 12, 2010 – Strip footings in place.
With the forms in place it was time for the concrete trucks to arrive. The 150 foot strip footings took four loads of concrete.
More from Official Zippin Pippin page
September 10, 2010 – Construction update – some footers poored
More from GBZippinPippin.Blogspot
September 1, 2010 – Bid for Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park falls below estimate
The contractor that built the Resch Center offered Tuesday to assemble the Zippin Pippin roller coaster for nearly $250,000 less than officials had estimated. Miron Construction Co. Inc. of Neenah was the low bidder for the city-funded job at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay. The company’s proposal was $936,753 — far below the city’s estimate of $1,177,000. The only other bid came from Bayland Buildings Inc. of Green Bay, which proposed to do the job for $2.5 million. City officials said they believe the uniqueness of the wooden roller coaster project left some contractors unsure whether to pursue it or how much to charge.
Full Story from Green Bay Press Gazette
September 1, 2010 - Editorial: Zippin Pippin roller coaster project at Bay Beach Amusement Park climbs upward
Despite some skepticism, plans to build the Zippin Pippin roller coaster moved forward Tuesday when the city opened construction bids for the historic ride at Bay Beach Amusement Park. Detractors have questioned the judgment of Green Bay Mayor Schmitt for pursuing something as frivolous as a wooden roller coaster when the economy has hit its lowest point in more than eight decades. But the negativity has done little to derail the project.
Full Editorial from Green Bay Press Gazette
Aug 30, 2010 – Bay Beach to feature Elvis’ favorite ride
On Wednesday, Aug. 25, families flocked to Bay Beach, an amusement park in Green Bay, to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for a new roller coaster called the Zippin Pippin.
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt — along with other city leaders — spoke at the ceremony.
The Zippin Pippin is a recreation of a historic wooden roller coaster that operated for many years in Memphis, Tenn. It was said to be Elvis Presley’s favorite ride.
The city of Green Bay borrowed $2.4 million and is in the process of raising $600,000 in private donations to secure the rights and build the replica. Door County resident, Doug McGee, recently donated $100,000, raising the donation total to $255,000.
Aug 26, 2010 – Elvis Presley’s Favorite Rollercoaster to Shake Up Green Bay
The King is dead, but long live his favorite roller coaster. The city of Green Bay bought parts of the famous Zippin Pippin ride from a closed Memphis, TN amusement park.
Aug 26, 2010 – Zippin Pippin unofficial construction blog
More from GBZippinPippin.Blogspot
Aug 25, 2010 – Ground broken for Zippin Pippin
Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt joined other city leaders and about 50 supporters today in groundbreaking ceremonies for the Zippin Pippin roller coaster. The crowd gathered at Bay Beach Amusement Park and cheered the start of a $3 million project that officials hope will draw big crowds to the city-owned park.
Full Story from Green Bay Press Gazette
Aug 16, 2010 – Crews Begin Preparing Site Where Zippin Pippin Will Stand
Crews begin preparing the site where the Zippin Pippin roller coaster will someday stand at Bay Beach in Green Bay.
An official groundbreaking ceremony is set for next Wednesday.
Aug 12, 2010 – Green Bay still taking bids for Zippin Pippin roller coaster work
The city will accept bids until Aug. 31 from contractors to build the wooden frame of the Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park.
The city is providing the lumber, hardware and steel for the 2,700-foot-long roller coaster frame, and contractors will provide labor and building equipment, said Jon Mueller, a civil engineer with the Green Bay Public Works Department.
More from Green Bay Press Gazette
Aug 4, 2010 – Zippin Pippin roller coaster work begins soon
With an eye on beating the winter frost, construction crews will start work Aug. 16 on pouring the concrete foundation for the Zippin Pippin roller coaster.
SMA Construction Services LLC is being paid $513,000 by the city to build the roller coaster foundation by Dec. 3 at Bay Beach Amusement Park.
“We’re on a tight time frame, obviously,” said Bill Landvatter, the city’s parks director. City officials soon will select another contractor to assemble the Zippin Pippin’s wooden frame, starting in September.
Click here for full story from the greenbaypressgazette.com
Here’s another story on WFRV 5
Jun 21, 2010 – Zippin Pippin roller coaster looks to put down roots in Green Bay
Before its towering wooden frame can reach for the skies, the Zippin Pippin roller coaster must first dig its feet into the ground. Green Bay city officials are shopping for contractors to assemble the roller coaster’s concrete foundation at Bay Beach Amusement Park. It will be the first construction contract awarded on an estimated $3 million city parks project that will remain a work in progress until next spring.
Once the foundation is started, the city will seek out contractors interested in building the coaster’s 70-foot-tall wooden frame starting in September.
The Zippin Pippin — a re-creation of a Memphis, Tenn., coaster that was Elvis Presley’s favorite amusement park ride — is scheduled to make its Green Bay debut when Bay Beach opens for the season next May.
Jun 7, 2010 – Zippin Pippin News Story
Apr 27, 2010 -
Green Bay city plan commissioners have cleared the way for the Zippin Pippin roller coaster by rezoning the land and easing local height restrictions.
Apr 27, 2010 – City Officicals roll out plans for Zippin Pippin roller coaster
Soil tests at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay have cleared the way to start designing the foundation of the Zippin Pippin roller coaster, city officials said Friday. Ed Wiesner, the city’s public works director, said the tests demonstrated that the 70-foot-tall…..
Apr 27, 2010 – Zippin Pippin roller coaster to cost nearly $2 million
Green Bay officials have signed a nearly $2 million contract with a consultant to oversee design and construction of the Zippin Pippin roller coaster. Martin & Vleminckx Rides LLC, based near Orlando, Fla., has agreed to shepherd the project ….
Apr 27, 2010 – Zippin Pippin Construction Company Contracted (Story from ACE NEWS)
According to public records, Martin & Vleminckx has been contracted to rebuild the Zippin Pippin roller coaster.
Click here for more info from ACE Online
Mar 19, 2010 – Officially Zippin Pippin belongs to Green Bay
The Mayor of Green Bay signed an agreement to buy the famed rollercoaster. Green Bay will pay $35,000 to acquire the name Zippin Pippin . They expect to pay another $3M to rebuild the classic ride.
Mar 17, 2010 – Green Bay council votes to borrow $2.4M to buy Zippin Pippin
Despite opposition the Green Bay city council voted to borrow $2.4M to buy the Zippin Pippin rollercoaster for Bay Beach. The remaining $600,000 will come from expected private donations. The purchase actually only gives them the rights to the design and to the name. Currently Bay Beach turns a profit of about $800,000 a year. History has proven that new rides do bring crowds with them.
Mar 8, 2010 – Zippin Pippin offers rare opportunity for Bay Beach
Bay Beach in Green Bay, WI is the 9th oldest amusement park in the United States. Even with as affordable as Bay Beach is, it brings in significant revenues for Green Bay. In 2008, the city of Green Bay adopted an expansion plan, which included a family-friendly wooden roller coaster. Adding the Zippin Pippin to the line up or rides at Bay Beach should entice new visitors to come and help ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the park and the coaster. The coaster will be paid for by ticket sales and donations but not by the taxpayers.
Mar 3, 2010 – Zippin Pippin Heading to Bay Beach!!
The Green Bay City Council Voted 7-4 Tuesday night to approve the Zippin Pippin Coaster Construction!! The Project is expected to cost 3 Million with no tax payer money used for the costs. If all goes according to plan, they hope to have the coaster up and running by opening day 2011!
Mar 2, 2010 – Green Bay Counil to vote today on spending for coaster
Green Bay City Council members are scheduled tonight to decide whether to purchase the Zippin Pippin roller coaster from Memphis, Tenn. ACE and NAPHA predict that Bay Beach Amusement Park could be on the verge of becoming a major destination among coaster fans nationwide and beyond. The park could see a similar attendance boost like what Holiday World had when the built the Raven back in 1995.
Feb 23, 2010 – Bay Beach park panel backs rollercoaster plan
It appears that the plan to rebuild the Zippin Pippin rollercoaster at Bay Beach in Green Bay, WI has the support of the park panel despite the fact that there may be a few snags along the way. Officials hope to open the coaster in 2011 if all goes well. They estimate that it could cost $3 million to buy the plans and rebuild the ride at the park.
Feb 16, 2010 – Is Zippin Pippin headed to Bay Beach in Green Bay?
The City of Green Bay has been in talks about buying Elvis’ Favorite coaster, Zippin Pippin. While some of the ride did collapse, it appears that if the city does buy the ride it will really be buying the plans, and the name. The final deal to purchase the ride could happen within 60 days.