News: Great America to host cockroach eating contest for Fright Fest

Posted at 7:43 PM EDT (2343 GMT)

Sep. 21st, 2006 -- Beginning on October 7, Six Flags Great America will challenge park guests to consume Madagascar hissing cockroaches, in turn for perks.

Having successfully completed of the stunt guests will earn a free T-shirt and a strip of four Flash Pass tickets allowing three friends to jump to the front of the line at all rides through October 29, Six Flags spokesman Jim Taylor said.

Madagascar hissing cockroaches which can grow to 3-inches in length, have horns and are capable of producing a hissing noise when agitated or provoked. In many countries, these insects are considered a delicacy and are rich in protein and low in fat. Despite the fact that the roaches to be used in this promotion are laboratory grown and raised, the Lake County Health Department discourages the consumption of roaches due to the risk of gastrointestinal illness and allergies.

Great America's live roach promotion will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Fridays and 5 to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through October.

In addition to the live roach eating promotion, at 7 pm on October 1st, the park also plans to hold an eating contest featuring cooked Madagascar hissing cockroaches. The park hopes a guest with a very strong stomach and appetite may break a British man's world record of consuming 36 cooked roaches in one minute. The potential new world record breaker will not only earn bragging rights, but will collect a slew of goods from the park - including four 2007 season passes to Six Flags Great America for friends and family and VIP status everytime they visit.

Visit Chicago Tribune for the complete and original article.

Visit Six Flags Great America for the official news release.