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Sharpshooters Productions, Inc. 9/18/2007
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The Chicago Public Library's Washington Branch is hosting a Riverview exhibit called "Fun For All". Original photos from the Sharpshooters Productions collection, memorabilia, and ride models built by Ed Fruh will be on display through September
8th, 2008. Contact the library exhibit number at 312-747-4649 for recorded information on the exhibit. The Harold Washington Center is located at:
400 South State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60605
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Sharpshooters Productions, Inc. 3/9/2008 |
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Knoebel's Grove Amusement Park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania announced during their 2005 Phoenix Phall Phunfest that they will be rebuilding a classic Flying Turns ride made of wood. Now that the secrets out of the bag, we at Sharpshooters Productions can share a few more details with you.
The ride is based on Riverview Park's Flying Turns, with some modifications and additions. Our own Ralph Lopez provided them with the blueprints to Riverview's ride, as well as shared his knowledge of the ride's construction, maintenance, and operation. The National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) also contributed Flying Turns blueprints from their archives.
Construction is continuing, and testing with a prototype ride vehicle has just completed. Knoebel's has ordered the bare chassis to be delivered, and will apparently create the bodies in-house. Knoebel's has not officially announced when the ride will be opened, but it will likely be
during the 2008 season. If you visit the Knoebels website (listed below), you can see a diagram of the ride layout. Keep checking back here for further details as they develop.
See these websites for photos, other details and project progress...
www.knoebels.com
www.flyingturnsproject.com
http://tinyurl.com/jt49m
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Sharpshooters Productions, Inc. 8/25/07
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Ralph Lopez, co-author of Laugh Your Troubles Away - The Complete History of Riverview Park will again be doing some presentations on Riverview at public venues in the Chicagoland area for 2007. All shows are free, but you may have to reserve a seat in advance. The current show schedule is:
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007, 7:00p.m., Westchester Public Library, 10700 Canterbury St., Westchester, IL 60154 RSVP's are required. Call Ann Weaver at 708-562-3573.
Additional shows to be announced shortly.
If you would like Ralph Lopez to do a show at your location, please contact us here at the website for information.
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Sharpshooters Productions, Inc. 8/25/2007
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Ralph Lopez is pleased to announce that he is conduction tours of the former Riverview Park property by appointment. Please contact him directly at 773-871-1542 to arrange for tour.
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On August 6, 2006, the Chicago Tribune published a little story about Riverview titled, "Loop Traffic", in which they cited our book as a source. Thanks Trib! Read the story here:
http://tinyurl.com/2fw7gq
You will see it towards the bottom of the page. It will cost $3.95 to read if you do not have a subscription to the Chicago Tribune archives.
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Sharpshooters Productions, Inc. 1/7/2006
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You might remember the Riverview II project, the attempt to build a modernized version of Riverview featuring many of Riverview's signature rides including the Chutes, the Bobs, the Pair-O-Chutes, and Aladdin's Castle among others. The land had been purchased, a proposal made to the local goverment, and Ralph Lopez and Derek Gee were retained to develop the ride package for the park. Unfortunately, the main developer of the Riverview II project, Brian Heywood, was murdered in August 2003.
We've now spoken with Mrs. Heywood on January 5th regarding the current status of the Riverview II project, and we're sad to hear that the project is no longer active. Mrs. Heywood states she would be willing to assist anyone wishing to pick up and develop the project, but she no longer will be persuing the project.
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Sharpshooters Productions, Inc. 9/19/06
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Derek Gee and Ralph Lopez, authors of "Laugh Your Troubles Away - The Complete History of Riverview Park" were interviewed for Chicago PBS station, WTTW's "Chicago Stories" series. The show, first aired in September 2000 and again in November and December 2000, and in July 2001. The show has continued to air occasionally since that time. The authors discussed the extensive history of Riverview, provided film and images, and gave the production team a tour of the former park property.
No further airdates are scheduled. We will continue to post information about future airings as we receive it. The program is available for purchase for $19.95 from the www.shopwttw.com website in the Chicago Stories section.
For more information, email
73157.2172@compuserve.com
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