Silverwood will slide into new season on Saturday

Silverwood Theme Park will open its gates Saturday for its 29th season of family fun and memories.

In 1987, when the Henley Aerodrome & Museum of Transportation was still under construction, Gary Norton wondered whether anyone would actually pay to visit his creation, located in a remote area of North Idaho.

“If nobody shows,” he said, “then I’m just going to have a nice little park to play in with my friends.”

Since then, around 11 million people have passed through the gates of his theme park, renamed Silverwood before it opened in 1988.

Silverwood has grown from a local attraction into the largest Theme and Water Park in the Northwest with 221 acres of fun and over 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions in the park. The park boasts four massive roller coasters, a drop tower and countless other family-friendly rides and attractions. Boulder Beach Water Park will open June 4 with two wave pools, numerous water slides, play areas for the kids and VIP cabanas.

New for 2016 is Riptide Racer standing nearly 60 feet tall with over 400 feet of slide, the new mat racing water slide will feature six side-by-side racing lanes. Riders will lie down head-first on an aero-dynamic mat and push out of the starting gate down the winding tubes. Gaining speed, they will then converge into the final stretch to determine the ultimate winner.

Opening weekend this Saturday and Sunday, moms get in free when they come with families who buy tickets online or at the front gate.

Special events and discounts will be offered weekends throughout May.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the front gate. Visit www.silverthemepark.com for tickets and info.