Beech Tree News Network

The winner of Monday night’s NCAA men’s basketball championship will have its university flag flown atop a roller coaster in a friendly bet between two family-owned amusement parks.
Facing off for their home-state teams are Beech Bend Park and Splash Lagoon, Bowling Green, Kentucky and Quassy Amusement & Waterpark, Middlebury, Conn.
The stakes are high as the winning team’s flag will wave from the wood frame of the opposing park’s marquee roller coaster. 
“Being family owned parks, we thought this would be a friendly gesture on both our parts to engage in a little wager,” said Quassy President Eric Anderson.  “We both have great roller coasters and what better way to pay tribute to theses two fantastic teams.”
“If you were raised in Kentucky, there’s a good chance you are a diehard basketball fan,” said Beech Bend Park General Manager Charlotte Gonzalez. “Whether you rooted for the Hilltoppers, Cardinals or Wildcats early on, we are all solidly behind the University of Kentucky Wildcats now and are happy to be part of the Big Blue Nation.  We eagerly wait the raising of the UK Wildcat flag on top of the Quassy’s Wooden Warrior coaster! GO CATS!”
Beech Bend’s “Kentucky Rambler” and Quassy’s “Wooden Warrior” are both ranked among the top 50 wooden roller coasters in the world by theme park and coaster experts.
At the conclusion of the game, the winning park will ship its university flag to the other property, where it will be flown during opening weekend.  Quassy opens April 26 for its 106th season, while Beech Bend starts its 116th season on May 3rd.
For more information visit www.beechbend.com  and www.quassy.com