Amusing Day At Park Amusement Rides Open For Season As Sunshine Brings Out Thousands Of Riverfront Park Supporters

Netbag - volleyball with a hackeysack - became a new park attraction.

As thousands wandered through Riverfront Park Saturday for the opening of its amusement rides, many couldn’t help but notice the game.

“Awesome!” said Jesse Kington, as he watched four men kick a hackeysack over a 5-foot-tall net. “I want to do that.”

The four moved like jazz dancers - leaping in the air, twisting their bodies, bending their knees before hitting a round leather bag with the side of their foot.

“It’s actually one of the best aerobic exercises,” said 21-year-old Nathan Rhoads of Spokane. “It’s also a lot of fun.”

For the third consecutive year, netbag players like Rhoads have set up a court at Riverfront Park using more than 60 feet of rope for the boundaries. They plan to come every Saturday to demonstrate the game to hackeysack fans in the area.

Their fancy footwork and the unusual nature of the game made some stop and watch.

“Looks like a new sport,” one passer-by said.

With attractions such as the netbag players and especially the opening of the amusement rides, Riverfront Park came alive Saturday: Children flocked to the Scream Machine and ferris wheel; the smell of popcorn wafted throughout the Carrousel house; dozens waited in line for passes at the ticket booth.

Just two hours after the park opened, employees had sold nearly 200 ride tickets, said Ed Ducar, the park’s food and beverage supervisor.

They also processed 55 season passes and the first IMAX show of the day drew 87 viewers, Ducar said.

The good weather certainly helped, said Kimbre Vega, the park’s personnel manager.

“People just want to go outside and be here,” she said. “It’s a good feeling.”

Two additional rides are expected to open in the next few weeks - a Dumbo the Elephant ride and a swing ride. The IMAX Theater will also have two new movies: “The Magic of Flight,” a film about the Blue Angels; and “Super Speedway,” which puts viewers in a race car.

“We’re going to come here a lot this summer,” said Kimberly Miller, who brought her children for the first time to Riverfront Park.

“It’s beautiful. The kids love it.”

Through June 13, Riverfront Park rides and games are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

After June 14, the attractions will stay open until 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the park stays open until 10 p.m.

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