Silver Dollar City announces multimillion-dollar 'Fireman's Landing'

Herschend Family Entertainment Corp. revealed plans to open a multimillion-dollar, firefighter-themed addition to Silver Dollar City on nearly 2 acres.

The $8 million development, dubbed Fireman's Landing, is slated to open in spring 2015, according to a news release. The park addition would replace Geyser Gulch, a water-themed portion of the park that closed Aug. 3 after being open since 1997, said SDC spokeswoman Martha Hoy Bohner.

Fireman's Landing, a tribute to the profession, would add six family rides and four interactive children's play zones to SDC.

"Fireman’s Landing is designed with the atmosphere and theming of an old-time volunteer firefighter recruitment fair with activities set up to test the skills of even the youngest would-be recruits," according to the release.

The new SDC area would include rides called:

• Fire Spotter, a hot air balloon-themed ride;
• Fire Wagon Frenzy, called a bumpy ride in the release; and
• FireFall, an eight-story, free-fall drop attraction.

New play places include Firefighter’s Fire Drill, Firefighter’s Fire Escape and Firefighter’s Junior Escape. Fireman's Landing plans also include a low-flying swing ride, a smaller tower drop ride, a bouncing ride and squirting water jets, according to the release.

The Fireman's Landing announcement follows last year's opening of the $10.5 million wooden roller coaster Outlaw Run.

HFE also announced yesterday that the Harlem Globetrotters - the exhibition basketball team the company purchased last year - will play at SDC in June during its Star-Spangled Summer festival.

The team is slated to conduct 30-minute performances three times daily for six weeks, showcasing its mix of humor and basketball skills.