Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Six Flags planned the world's largest snowball fight... and irony won

December 9, 2017, 2:13 PM · A winter storm has brought snow to area across the southern United States (and even Mexico!) that rarely see any of the white stuff. The cold temperatures, snow, and ice in communities ill-equipped to deal with them have led to closed roads, power outages, and businesses closing across several states.

Six Flags Over Georgia was one the many businesses across the south that closed today.

As did Six Flags America...

...Six Flags Great Adventure...

...and Six Flags New England...

...which is too bad, because that meant that the parks couldn't put on the "World's Largest Snowball Fight" that the Six Flags chain had scheduled for this afternoon.

That's right. A snowball fight, cancelled on account of... snow.

To be fair the planned "snowball" fight wasn't going to use actual snow, but polypropylene "snow" balls, like those you can find in some gift and home stores around the holidays. And while fans might have welcomed the chance to skip the fake stuff in favor of the real thing, the parks (wisely) chose to abide by local officials' request that people stay off the roads due to the inclement weather. That meant closing until temperatures warm and roads clear, making getting to the park safer.

Fortunately, the parks plan on reopening tomorrow for regularly-scheduled "Holiday in the Park" events. But leave your (real) snowballs at home.

Replies (5)

ProfPlum
ProfPlum
December 10, 2017 at 8:19 AM · This is a great story Robert. Irony at its best. Coincidently, most parts of the UK are snowed in today including myself.
csedward64
Ed Newman
December 10, 2017 at 1:34 PM · This storm and the amount of snow really caught us here in Atlanta by surprise. Over 8 inches at our house in the NW suburbs of Atlanta. Only 1-3 inches were expected. We visited SFOG Holiday in the Park during Thanksgiving weekend. Temps in the lows 60s and a decent offering of rides made for a fun visit. Especially when you have a season pass, making it a fairly inexpensive family outing. I was skeptical when HITP started a few years ago, but it continues to get better each year.
MIkeW
MIkeW
December 10, 2017 at 2:41 PM · I have relatives in Atlanta so I know snow happens but it was still a shock for them to get that much. Odd to see snowmen and fights in that town but it's happening.
gatrader
Stephen Tuday
December 12, 2017 at 1:25 AM · I had the chance to visit SFoG on Sunday. It was surreal to see snow in the park and almost laughable to see real snow atop the fake stuff in the North Pole section! I seized the opportunity and took over 70 photos of different areas of the park with SNOW in them. One of my faves was Splashwater Falls a.k.a. 'Icicle Falls' (of course the ride is closed this time of the year but there was a great view of it from Carousel Hill.) The Georgia Christmas section was extra special with the snow on all the shrubbery. I even jokingly complimented a park manager for adding real snow! I was almost too busy taking pictures to actually ride stuff but I did get an amazing aerial view from Goliath. Seeing the snowy landscape below made it feel more like a ride on Santa's sleigh.

The park was not at all crowded due to the cold but I feel like a privileged individual getting to see something so special; something I never thought possible even after Holiday in the Park was added a few years ago.

There will be another opportunity to break the snowball fight record but this was magical. There's just something unique about riding coasters in the snow.

eltoro1951
Writer
Bobbie Butterfield
December 12, 2017 at 10:03 AM · This is indeed ironic in the extreme. Also a major inconvenience in that I chose this weekend to visit Six Flags Over Texas and b/c my flight from Philly was delayed due to the snow and consequent need for deicing aircraft, I didn't get to SFOT until 6pm. With the park scheduled to close at 10 that meant a very short visit and I had to fly back home the next day.

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Fire strikes construction site in Anaheim's Downtown Disney

Fire strikes construction site in Anaheim's Downtown Disney

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