Comet staff report

The summer season officially arrived on Lake Shafer in Monticello on Sunday when Indiana Beach Amusement and Camp Resort opened for its 81st season.

It will continue to be open all summer long through Labor Day weekend. All five roller coasters, over thirty rides and attractions, dining, shopping,

and entertainment will be open for guest's enjoyment. The sand beach and the water park with six water slides will be open for the season beginning on May 20.

Providing wholesome family fun was the goal of Indiana Beach when it first opened for business in 1926. Earl Spackman opened "Ideal Beach" with a bath house and small refreshment stand on the shores of Lake Shafer. Through the years, the sand beach swimming area has continued to be the centerpiece of the resort now known as Indiana Beach Amusement and Camp Resort. Almost each year since 1926, the resort has added a new ride, attraction, or feature.

For the 2006 season, Indiana Beach is introducing two new water attractions. Splash Battle is a unique family water ride with an interactive game designed to splash and soak. Participants ride through the 365-foot-long winding track in vehicles armed with water cannons. They shoot jets of water at the other participant's vehicles in the "Splash Battle

Zones." Indiana Beach will be the first park in the nation to introduce the new Splash Battle attraction when the ride opens to the public in early June.

Splash Bash is a new zerodepth water play area within the water park. It was designed for the whole family including younger visitors and features sprays, jets, dumping buckets, and water cannons. Splash Bash is scheduled to open with the water park on May 20 and is the first addition to Indiana Beach's water park for guests under 44" tall since the opening of the sand beach.

The Cornball Express roller coaster continues to thrill guests. It was named the #1 Wooden Roller Coaster in the World in 2002 and celebrates its fifth anniversary this summer. The grandfather of Indiana coasters, The Hoosier Hurricane, can be found only at Indiana Beach. It is complemented by two classic steel coasters: the Tig'rr, which is celebrating its 25th season at Indiana Beach, and the Galaxi.

The 64-member Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain was in Monticello Tuesday to ride each of the five Indiana Beach roller coasters. The visit marked the finale of the club's United States tour of amusement parks before heading back to England.

The Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain was created in 1998 to unite United Kingdom residents who share a passion and enthusiasm for roller coasters. Some members have ridden over 100 different coasters.

For additional information about Indiana Beach visit www.IndianaBeach.com or call 574-583-4141.