Orion first riders auction raised $160,000 for A Kid Again

Tonight’s first official riders aboard Kings Island’s new Orion roller coaster raised $160,000 for A Kid Again, a nonprofit organization which exists to foster hope, happiness and healing for families raising kids with life-threatening illnesses through fun-filled group activities and events. A Kid Again families are invited to participate in these adventures from the age of diagnosis until the child reaches age 20 through funds raised from events such as this. 

During the Orion First Riders event presented by Interim Healthcare of Cincinnati, Inc., Kings Island fans and roller coaster enthusiasts alike enjoyed an evening filled with riding one of the most anticipated new rides in the amusement and theme park industry over and over again.

Each of the more than 300 participants were required to raise a minimum of $150 for A Kid Again to take part in the event and received a First Riders certificate, an Orion First Riders t-shirt, food and unlimited rides.

Sponsor donations included Ashley Fence, Cintech Construction, R.E. Middleton Construction, American Testing Services, Lake Erie Electric, Lone Rock Clothing Co., Merit Erectors Inc., Exhibit 3 Fabrications LLC, Art’s Equipment Rental, Blue Ribbon Meats, F.G. Schaeffer Co. Inc., Klosterman Bakery, Ohio Eagle Distributing, SHP Engineering, Spingdot Inc., TRA Design, Local Union 392, LightUpToys.com LLC and Graeters.

Orion makes its public debut Thursday when Kings Island opens for the 2020 season to Season Passholders with a reservation. The steel roller coaster is one of only seven giga coasters in the world, a class of roller coasters having a height or drop of 300-399 feet. Riders plummet down an exhilarating 300-foot first drop at a 85-degree angle before sending them on a high-speed journey over seven more hills and 5,321 feet of track at speeds up to 91 mph on the tallest and fastest steel roller coaster at Kings Island.