Kentucky Kingdom

Kentucky Kingdom
Previously known as Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom (1998–2010)
LocationLouisville, Kentucky, United States
Coordinates38°11′44″N 85°44′50″W / 38.195427°N 85.747245°W / 38.195427; -85.747245
StatusOperating
OpenedMay 23, 1987 (1987-05-23)
OwnerKentucky State Fair Board
Operated byHerschend Family Entertainment
General managerSarah Worrell
Operating seasonMay–January
Area67 acres (27 ha)
Attractions
Total54
Roller coasters5
Water rides2
Websitekentuckykingdom.com

Kentucky Kingdom, formerly known as Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, is a theme park in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The 67-acre (27 ha) park includes a collection of amusement rides and the Hurricane Bay water park. Kentucky Kingdom is at the intersection of Interstate 65 and Interstate 264, sharing a parking lot with the Kentucky Exposition Center.

In 1977, the Kentucky State Fair Board announced plans to build a theme park on the grounds of the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center. The park's construction, overseen by Kentucky Entertainment Limited, began in 1986 and cost $12 million. Kentucky Kingdom opened to the public on May 23, 1987. The park went bankrupt after one season, and was reopened in 1990 by businessman Ed Hart. Due to loan payment challenges, Kentucky Kingdom was sold in 1998 to Six Flags, which operated it until closing it in 2009. Hart reopened the park in May 2014. Seven years later, the park's operating rights were sold to Herschend Family Entertainment. Kentucky Kingdom is owned by the Kentucky State Fair Board and operated by Herschend Family Entertainment.

Kentucky Kingdom has five roller coasters: Hollyhock and Roll, Kentucky Flyer, Lightning Run, Wind Chaser, and Woodland Run. The park has opened many first-of-its-kind roller coasters. T2 was the first Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster in North America. Lightning Run was the first Chance Rides Hyper GT-X Coaster in the world. Wind Chaser was the first roller coaster in the U.S. with a barrel roll drop.