When is 2024 National Roller Coaster Day? Where to find Indiana amusement park thrill rides

Published

2 years ago

August 16, 2024

When is 2024 National Roller Coaster Day? Where to find Indiana amusement park thrill rides

National Roller Coaster Day has arrived and it’s time to celebrate.

There are multiple Indiana theme parks offering roller coasters, from Holiday World and Indiana Beach to the Indianapolis Zoo.

Holiday World Splashin’ Safari: Here’s everything you need to know.

Here’s where to find roller coasters in Indiana:

What is National Roller Coaster Day?

The day honors Edwin Prescott’s patent of the first vertical loop roller coaster in 1898, according to nationaldaycalendar.com.

When is 2024 National Roller Coaster Day?

National Roller Coaster Day falls on Aug. 16 each year, according to nationaldaycalendar.com.

Good Gravy! Family Coaster

Construction: Steel
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: May ride at 38 inches tall with a companion. Patrons with high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, dizziness or motion sickness, and those who are pregnant or have a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility guide.

The Howler

Construction: Steel
Minimum height requirement: 42 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: May ride at 36 inches tall with a companion. Patrons with high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, dizziness or motion sickness, and those who are pregnant or have a, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility guide.

The Legend Wooden Coaster

Construction: Wood
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Loose articles should be stored before riding. Patrons with a heart condition, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, dizziness or motion sickness, have fear of heights, are pregnant, or have had a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility guide.

The Raven Wooden Coaster

Construction: Wood
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Loose articles should be stored before riding. Patrons with a heart condition, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, dizziness or motion sickness, have a fear of heights, are pregnant, or have had a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility guide.

The Voyage Wooden Coaster

Construction: Wood
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Loose articles should be stored before riding. Patrons with a heart condition, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, dizziness or motion sickness, fear of heights, those who are pregnant, and those with sensitivity to strobe lights, or recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility guide.

Thunderbird Launched Wing Coaster

Construction: Steel, wing
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Loose articles should be stored before riding. Patrons with a heart condition, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, dizziness or motion sickness, fear of heights, those who are pregnant, and those who have sensitivity to strobe lights, or recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility guide.

Cheetah Chase Water Coaster

Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Minimum weight requirement: 225 pound minimum per boat
Maximum weight requirement: 340 pound max per individual; 500 pound max per boat
More details: May ride at 42 inches tall with a companion. Patrons with a heart condition, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, dizziness or motion sickness, fear of heights, those who are pregnant, or have sensitivity to strobe lights or recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility guide.

Mammoth Water Coaster

Number of riders: 2-6 per raft
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Minimum weight requirement: 500 pound minimum per raft
Maximum weight requirement: 1,050 pound max per raft
More details: May ride at 42 inches tall with a companion. Patrons with a heart condition, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, dizziness or motion sickness, fear of heights, are pregnant, or have had a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility guide.

Wildebeest Water Coaster

Number of riders: Up to 4 per raft
Minimium height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Minimum weight requirement: 200 pound minimum per raft
Maximum weight requirement: 800 pound max per raft
More details: May ride at 42 inches tall with a companion. Patrons with a heart condition, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, dizziness or motion sickness, fear of heights, those who are pregnant, or have sensitivity to strobe lights or recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility guide.

Indiana Beach: The G-force on newest roller coaster is insane

American Triple Loop

Construction: Steel
Minimum height requirement: 49 inches
Maximum height requirement: 77 inches
Weight requirement: None
More details: Patrons with heart conditions, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, and those who pregnant, under the influence of alcohol or have had a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility.

Cornball Express

Construction: Wood
Minimium height requirement: 46 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Patrons with heart conditions, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, and those who are pregnant, under the influence of alcohol or have had a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility.

Cyclone

Construction: Steel
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Patrons with heart conditions, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, and those who are pregnant, under the influence of alcohol or have had a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility.

Hoosier Hurricane

Construction: Wood
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Patrons with heart conditions, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, and those who are pregnant, under the influence of alcohol or have had a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility.

Lost Coaster of Superstition Mountain

Construction: Wood
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Patrons with heart conditions, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, and those who are pregnant, under the influence of alcohol or have had a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility.

Steel Hawg

Construction: Steel
Minimum height requirement: 48 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Patrons with heart conditions, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, and those who are pregnant, under the influence of alcohol or have had a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility.

Tig’rr

Construction: Steel
Minimum height requirement: 54 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Patrons with heart conditions, high blood pressure, back or neck conditions, and those who are pregnant, under the influence of alcohol or have had a recent illness, injury or surgery are not allowed to ride. Rider requirements and accessibility.

Indianapolis Zoo: Take a peak inside the new chimpanzee complex

Kōmbo Family Coaster

Construction: Steel
Minimum height requirement: 47 inches
Maximum height requirement: None
Weight requirement: None
More details: Children younger than 6 meeting the minimum height requirement must be accompanied by an adult. Anyone with limited mobility will need to transfer themselves from wheelchair/scooter to coaster car in order to ride. Patrons with heart disease or back injuries, those wearing a cast and women who are pregnant are not allowed to ride.

Twist N Shout Coaster

Construction: Steel
Minimum height requirement, rider: 47 inches
Minimium height requirement, passenger: 38 inches — must be age 4 or older with paying adult
Maximum height requirement: 6 feet, 5 inches
Weight requirement: 240 pound maximum
Indiana location: Lafayette

Spinning Coaster

Construction: Steel
Minimum height requirement: 47 inches
Maximum height requirement: 6 foot, 3 inches
Weight requirement: 250 pound max
More details: May ride at 36 inches tall if riding with an adult

Find more roller coasters: Your guide to theme parks not too far from Indianapolis

Chris Sims is a digital content producer at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

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Coast Guard investigates death of mariner working barge in Jeffersonville

Published

11 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Coast Guard investigates death of mariner working barge in Jeffersonville

U.S. Coast Guard officials are investigating March 1 after a mariner died while working on a barge in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

An incident involving the mariner occurred the afternoon of Feb. 27 at mile marker 597 of the Ohio River, said Lt. Cmdr. Steve Leighty, public affairs officer for the U.S. Coast Guard Ohio Valley Sector. Leighty declined to provide further details about the mariner and the circumstances of their death, citing the ongoing investigation.

Officials with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office are also investigating the incident, Leighty said.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@usatodayco.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter

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Indiana

Indiana Pacers Must Manage Two-Way Contract Player Availability Down Stretch

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Indiana Pacers Must Manage Two-Way Contract Player Availability Down Stretch

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 20: Ethan Thompson #55 of the Indiana Pacers takes a shot over Derik Queen #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at Smoothie King Center on December 20, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

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WASHINGTON – The Indiana Pacers have a player availability puzzle to put together down the stretch of the 2025-26 season, and it involves all three of their players on two-way contracts.

Currently, the Pacers have Jalen Slawson, Ethan Thompson, and Taelon Peter signed to two-way deals. Thompson and Peter have been helpful at different points this season, and all three players are healthy right now. They each project to have a bigger role in the Pacers’ final outings of the season.

But they can’t all play in every game thanks to two-way contract rules, and the Pacers will have to juggle the availability of each player. Indiana has already played multiple games since the All-Star break with just one or two or their two-way contract signees available to play.

That’s because two-way agreements come with a limit – players on such contracts can only be active in 50 games per season (or a proportionate ratio of 50/82 games at the time of signing based on the number of days left in the season). The Pacers couldn’t get by without their two-way contract players at various moments this season due to injuries, with Peter being active for 23 of the team’s first 25 games and Thompson during every game from December 1 through January 17.

During those stretches, Indiana needed their two-way players to field a team or a rotation that actually made sense. It wasn’t a poor use of their active days. But that two-way usage early in the season now requires the Pacers to be strategic down the stretch of 2025-26. They have 22 more games this season but won’t be able to use their two-way talents in all of them.

Peter, a rookie selected in the second round of last June’s NBA Draft, had a rush of games to open the campaign, and he’s allowed to suit up 14 more times this league year. “He’s figuring out what being a professional basketball player is about,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of Peter and his in-season growth earlier this month. “It’s about being who you are all the time, regardless of make or miss. Just keep playing, just keep staying aggressive.”

Thompson was signed on November 30, which permitted him to appear in 39 games this season. He’s only got 10 left – Thompson was effective right away with the Pacers and played often after his signing. He was named to the NBA G League Next Up game, effectively the G League All-Star game, for his performances this campaign.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 13: Taelon Peter #4 of the Indiana Pacers takes a shot against the San Antonio Spurs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 13, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

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Slawson signed his contract earlier today and is eligible for 13 appearances the rest of the way for the Pacers. So, with 22 games remaining, none of the team’s two-way contract players can be active for each remaining game. The team will have to figure out the best strategy when it comes to managing two-way player availability during the final months of the season.

Another consideration for the franchise is that two-way players, by virtue of their contract, can be transferred down to the G League at any time. Peter, Slawson, and Thomspon have combined for 64 appearances with Indiana’s G League affiliate team, the Noblesville Boom, this season. Once the Boom’s season ends – their final scheduled game is March 26 but the team currently holds a playoff spot – then the G League is not an option for two-way players.

So the Pacers have to figure out the best way to deploy, and evaluate, their two-way contract signees during March and April. It’s a lot to manage.

“We’re trying to save games for him,” Carlisle said of the Pacers decision to keep Quenton Jackson, who was previously on a two-way contract, inactive for a game earlier this month. “We want to conserve those games as much as possible.”

Jackson had his contract converted from a two-way deal to a standard deal earlier today, and Slawson filled his two-way slot. It was sharp business for the Pacers, but they lost some available two-way days as a result – Jackson had more than 13 games remaining, but Slawson gets fewer because of the day he signed his contract.

“Two-way guys, your life is a lot of unpredictability of where you’re going to be from day to day,” Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan shared in February.

If the Pacers want to keep their two-way talents around the NBA club as much as possible, their best course of action could be to keep two of the three active in every game and occasionally just have one of the three available. If the team can get to a spot in which they have 15 games left on the schedule and all of their two-way talents have 10+ games left in which they could be active, two of the three could play every night during the final 15 outings. Using all three at once could be difficult, though Indiana may choose to deploy each of Thompson, Peter, and Slawson on the second night of back-to-backs as they manage injuries down the stretch. Putting any of the trio in the G League for a few days is an option, too, but comes with injury risks.

Slawson has not appeared in a game for the Pacers yet this season. Peter is averaging 3.3 points per game while shooting 35.8% from the field while Thompson is posting 4.9 points per contest and knocking down 36.7% of his shots. The Pacers are 15-45 with three back-to-backs remaining and three games left against teams near them in the inverse standings.

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Indiana

Indiana Pacers To Add Wing Jalen Slawson Via A Two-Way Contract

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Indiana Pacers To Add Wing Jalen Slawson Via A Two-Way Contract

Indiana Pacers’ Jalen Slawson dribbles during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers plan to sign wing Jalen Slawson to a two-way contract. The 26-year old forward has spent the ongoing campaign with the Pacers G League affiliate franchise, the Noblesville Boom. It’s a one-year pact covering the rest of the 2025-26 season.

Slawson was a second-round pick back in 2023 and spent his rookie season with the Sacramento Kings. That campaign, the Furman product appeared in 12 games and averaged 0.7 points and 0.6 rebounds per game. Since then, he has bounced around between the Orlando Magic and Pacers organizations.

Most of Slawson’s time in the pros has come via the G League. With the Kings and Magic affiliate teams, the forward averaged between 12 and 13 points per game while being a solid passer and rebounder for his position.

That got him a training camp invite with Indiana last fall. Slawson spent all of the 2025 preseason on an Exhibit 10 deal with the Pacers, and he appeared in all four of the team’s tune-up games ahead of the regular season. He averaged 2.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Slawson was waived just before the regular season, but the Pacers affiliate team owned his G League rights, and he’s spent the entire season with the Noblesville Boom. That’s where the 6-foot-7 forward has popped – he’s averaging G League career highs of 19.2 points and 5.4 assists per game for the Boom this season, including an improved 34.7% three-point percentage.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 7: Jules Bernard #14 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against Jalen Slawson #18 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half of the preseason game at Target Center on October 7, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

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He’s been among Noblesville’s best players this year, and with the team losing many players to injury or overseas opportunities, he has recently become the G League’ club’s top option. Even with more responsibility and attention, Slawson has continued to produce.

Now, he gets a call up to the Pacers via a two-way contract. He’s eligible to be active for 13 of the Pacers final 22 games – two-way contract players are only able to appear in a maximum of 50 games in a league year, and that ratio of games gets prorated if they are signed mid-season.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle had good memories of Slawson’s play for Indiana during the preseason. “ I think he’s an NBA player,” Carlisle said. “He’s had a good year with the Boom and this will be a great opportunity for him to play some games.”

Two-way contracts provide a salary that is half of the NBA’s rookie minimum, which would equate to $636k over the course of a full season. Prorated for the current day on the calendar, that means Slawson will make about $161k on his two-way with Indiana the rest of the season.

Two-way deals have no impact on a team’s salary cap, so the Pacers have no changes to their spending reality. They opened up a two-way spot by converting the contract of Quenton Jackson earlier this weekend.

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