Green Bay Moves Closer to Getting Pippin

Memphis, Tn - Just like the people who build them, all man-made structures eventually reach the "winter of their years."

But, for the venerable "Zippin Pippin" roller-coaster, the coming of this spring now figures to bring with it an unexpected and triumphant rebirth, even if it isn't in Memphis.

On a visit to Memphis this weekend, Green Bay, Wisconsin Mayor Jim Schmitt, explained, "I understand ties to the Zippin Pippin. But, I will tell you, you will not find a better home for that ride than Bay Beach in Green Bay Wisconsin. It is something that is meaningful to us. Very special to us."

True to his word, Mayor Schmitt, along with the city's Parks Director and a contracted engineer, made the trek Monday to the Bluff City for a ninety minute inspection of the more than one-hundred year old wooden coaster currently being dismantled at the Fairgrounds. Shelby County Commissioner and Pippin historical aficionado, Steve Mulroy conducted the slushy tour.

Mulroy said, "We started at eight a.m. and did an inspection on site. It ws kinda pretty. It was covered in snow and that added a nice little touch."

Actually, picturesquely snow covered or not, Schmitt's desire to purchase the once second oldest wooden coaster in the nation is genuine. He envisions it as the key piece in the 24-acre expansion of Green Bay's 117-year old Bay Beach Amusement Park, a venue where family entertainment can still be found without spending an arm and a leg every visit.

Schmitt gushed, "To add a roller-coaster with the rich history of the Zippin Pippin to really align ourselves with a community like Memphis, I think it's a great win/win for both cities. It will require an investment. A signifigant investment on our part. But, we love the design. We love the rich history."

An appreciative Mulroy added, "Now that they had a chance to take a look at the Pippin, they like what they see. They're excited about the idea of acquiring it. They're gonna take a recommendation that they do that. We're ready to start talking about the next steps.”

Schmitt chimed in, "We're gonna go back and get to work on this. And I would like to think in the next 60 or 90 days we can finalize something, get things moving to Green Bay, and then next year, within a year, get that up and running.

Schmitt concluded with an offering saying, "Anybody from Memphis who comes up next year when that ride is running and shows that they're from Memphis, they'll get a free ride on the Zippin!"

So, with some new wood, some new paint and a chance to gain new fans, the legacy of the Zippin Pippin will go on..

For many springs to come.