Busch Gardens Williamsburg auctioning Curse of DarKastle sign to benefit Give Kids the World
Theme park enthusiasts can take home a piece of history and give back to a good cause this summer, as Busch Gardens Williamsburg is currently hosting an auction to benefit Give Kids the World Village.
“We are grateful for Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s generous support,” said Pamela Landwirth, president and CEO of Give Kids the World. “This charity auction, together with their participation in Coasting for Kids, will help us create priceless memories and unforgettable experiences for children and families facing unimaginable challenges.”
From July 4-11, coaster fans can bid on a Big Bad Wolf ride vehicle, which was a suspended roller coaster in the Oktoberfest section of the park. Designed by Arrow Dynamics, the ride was in service for more than 25 years before permanently closing in September 2009. The footers, queue and station were repurposed for Verbolten, a roller coaster that opened in 2012 — with ride vehicles and other items donated to the National Roller Coaster Museum.
July 11-18 will give fans the chance to bid on the Loch Ness Monster front car featuring 40th anniversary branding. Classified as a Coaster Landmark by American Coaster Enthusiasts, Loch Ness Monster is a steel roller coaster and was the first to have two interlocking loops. Located over one of the park’s water features, the coaster’s design includes a helix tunnel, two lift hills and a 114-foot drop. The ride sits within Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Scotland area and relates to the legend of the Loch Ness Monster.
From July 18-25, enthusiasts can bid on a log flume vehicle from the park’s Le Scoot log flume ride, located in the New France area and themed after mountains and a sawmill. Once seated in the “logs,” riders travel up a hill, through turns, across rapids and down a plunge.
From July 25 – Aug. 1, one-of-a-kind ride signage, hard hats, pins, and other memorabilia will be up for auction — including the Curse of DarKastle sign that spans more than 13 feet. Curse of DarKastle was a hybrid dark ride that combined roving motion-simulating vehicles, 3D projection animation, physical sets, in-vehicle audio and special effects. The ride took place in an abandoned Bavarian castle, haunted by an evil ghost and a demonic werewolf. The ride closed in September 2017.
The auctions are being conducted in conjunction with Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s participation in Coasting for Kids, a fundraising program that enables participants to experience their favorite local attractions while giving back to charity, on Aug. 21, 2021.
To participate, children and adults can visit GKTW.org/Coasting, click on “Find A Park,” and then select the link for Busch Gardens Williamsburg to register online. Those who donate or raise a minimum of $100 will receive a special Coasting for Kids pass, granting complimentary access and exclusive perks at the park as well as a Coasting for Kids T-shirt. Donors can participate in-person at the park, or virtually.
Six other theme parks will be taking part in Coasting for Kids this summer, and you can find a full list at GKTW.org/Coasting. To learn more about Busch Gardens Williamsburg, visit BuschGardens.com.
To take part in the auction, click here.
