Before reading this, if you haven’t read Part One of ThrillNetwork Special Feature Series, click here!

So in Texas, I can officially say that it is Winter. About two weeks ago, it snowed in Houston. Like, real snow, as in frozen precipitation that’s definitely not sleet or hail. And although it’s now currently a balmy 79°F as I write this, and with Christmas days away, it truly is Winter! Now, associating snow, winter and Houston often creates an odd mix, but at one time, a place in Houston was able to pull it off, and in an exciting matter at that. If you ask someone who’s lived in Houston for most of their life, many people remember one of Houston’s biggest winter events at Six Flags AstroWorld called Holiday In The Park.

This event began in 1988 and continued to operate every Winter season until the 1998 season, when it was sadly canceled. The huge Christmas event often included extravagant Christmas shows, carolers, snow, thousands of lights, costumed characters, fireworks and the usual AstroWorld fanfare with a unique twist of Texas tradition. Luckily, this Six Flags tradition has now been revived, now operating at other Six Flags parks across the country, including AstroWorld’s two sister parks, Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, and now you can experience the winter sensation that is Holiday In The Park!

I’ve had the pleasure of being a longtime resident of Houston, Texas and since Six Flags AstroWorld was easily accessible, I spent many hours with friends and family at the park. Although I wasn’t as much of an active enthusiast of the park until late, I had my fair share of trips to the park. I never got to enjoy the Christmas lights of Holiday In the Park, but but I am not alone in remembering AstroWorld. Others realize the large void that has been created in the Houston area, not just the physical void of a park that has now been replaced with a 40 acre field, but also the emotional void.

Despite the fact that AstroWorld was famous for its thrilling
rides, the main driving force behind the park was the staff who worked diligently behind the scenes. The name Carolyn Ewing might not mean much to the average theme park going American, but her expertise and experience with the park has carried her into veteran status in the theme park industry. Ewing, who began working at Six Flags AstroWorld in the Loss Prevention Department as an undercover agent, knows that her memories of the park began much earlier as a child.

"The Texas Cyclone was my most cherished memory of the park. Every time I saw her, she reminded me of my late father. He took me to AstroWorld every other weekend," Ewing said. With her father, Carolyn always made sure they road the Cyclone together both as their first ride when they arrived, but also continued this ritual, making sure the wooden coaster was the last ride of the day. Like many others, Ewing associates the park to memories of family and friends.  When the announcement came about AstroWorld’s closure, her reaction was one of great sadness, grieving over the news. According to Carolyn, the overall impact the staff at the park was complete shock.

After AstroWorld closed, Carolyn moved on to work at SplashTown, a local water park in the Greater Houston area. Even after this major shift, it is obvious that she still has a passion for working in the theme park industry. As she continues to work in such an active industry, Ewing says that it was not the fact that Six Flags offered bonuses to keep staff, or the fact that many co-workers were receiving promotions and positions at other parks, Carolyn explains her reasoning by stating solidly and simply: "I love it. It’s in my blood."

Yet at the same time, not only do employees cherish memories of the park, those on the other side of the ticket booth, those who visited the park, do as well. As half of the famous Alvey-White duo, Robb Alvey was often the person on the other side of the ticket booth, and has numerous recollections and opinions of his last few visits.

His memories
reminded him that in a day where many big thrill parks have catered to teens, AstroWorld actually had quite a few attractions that could be enjoyed by all families alike, since many of the rides carried height restrictions of only 42". "It was just a shame that the parked closed in one of the highest populated areas in the country," Alvey said, who is from Valencia, CA.

Alvey described the park as "one of the only parks with so many adult-sized rides that the entire family could enjoy together, both kids and parents." He continued, "And a family that doesn’t mind screaming together would have had a great time there," he said. Alvey also noted that the additions of SWAT and Diablo Falls were a good step in the right direction, as well as a good balance. “One ride for the family and one for the thrill seekers.” Interestingly enough, his favorite memories involve being pummeled by a good solid Texas mid-summer thunderstorm, cross dressers, a confused friend, an excited, babbling little boy who kept asking about "Bootlegged cheeseburgers" that both combine into two awkward situations. You’ll have to ask him about those experiences.

To Robb, he always had felt that the park had a friendly "down
-home" atmosphere. It was mostly a hassle-free place where you could spend a few hours or all day and have a good time. “Even though the park had its fair share of issues, it was mostly clean and friendly, and definitely a nice place to spend an afternoon,” Alvey said, describing AstroWorld’s atmosphere.

Such stories, such memories are bread and butter of what is truly a theme park. They have allowed me, like so many others, to enjoy places such as AstroWorld so thoroughly. The thought that even though the rides strike such fear and excitement into the heart of its riders, there is a sense of trust, a sense of community, if not for a moment, a minute long moment, where all the riders are bound together by both fear, metal and technology, each holding on for more than just the ride.

It has now been three years since Six Flags AstroWorld closed. Rides have been dismantled, destroyed or moved to fellow Six Flags parks, or other parks that have purchased AstroWorld’s former rides. Hundreds of thousands of people have been entertained by AstroWorld’s famous Texas, bigger than life appeal, and their innumerable memories moments that transcend all emotion, will live on forever. With this Special Feature dedicated to the memory of Six Flags AstroWorld, many, many thanks go out to Robb Alvey, Ms. Ewing who contributed to this article, and especially to all of those dedicated fans, staff and visitors who all enjoyed the park in its existence.

Note: Slideshow is Flash intensive…

This the final part of this ThrillNetwork Special Feature Series. And in the spirit of the season, Happy Holidays and thanks for reading!