Silverwood Theme Park celebrates historic ride with birthday guests from across the country

ATHOL — Silverwood Theme Park marked a golden milestone Wednesday: The 50th birthday of its iconic roller coaster, Corkscrew.

Guests from as far as Florida gathered to honor the legendary ride, some with an especially unique connection, according to a press release.

Silverwood invited individuals who share Corkscrew’s birthday of May 21 to join in the festivities, offering them exclusive ride time, commemorative gifts, season passes and an unforgettable moment of amusement park history.

“It’s not every day you get to share your birthday with a piece of coaster history,” Sara Meddock, public relations manager, said in a Thursday news release. 

Corkscrew first thrilled riders in 1975 at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif. At the time, it made history as the world’s first modern roller coaster to invert passengers not once, but twice, thanks to a pioneering design by Arrow Development. 

"With its twin loops and bold engineering, Corkscrew redefined the roller coaster landscape and set the stage for many high-thrill coasters that came next," the release said.

Corkscrew was relocated in 1990 to Silverwood Theme Park in North Idaho, where it became the park’s first major coaster. 

Its arrival marked a turning point for Silverwood, establishing it as a serious destination for thrill-seekers and cementing Corkscrew’s place in the hearts of roller coaster enthusiasts, according to the release.

The event included birthday cupcakes and live entertainment by Silverwood Entertainment’s The Engineer. 

Guests, both young and young at heart, shared stories of their first rides on Corkscrew, many describing it as their introduction to the world of roller coasters, the release said.