First riders on Steel Vengeance help LeBron charity

Some kids from Akron will be among the first to ride Cedar Point’s new scream machine and also benefit from sales of special tickets to be on the inaugural runs of the new steel on wood roller coaster.

Amusement park enthusiasts across the country say the May opening of the record-breaking Steel Vengeance is one of the most anticipated new rides to open this summer season.

Cedar Point announced Tuesday that the LeBron James Family Foundation will be the benefactor of tickets sold for the Steel Vengeance First Rider Benefit set for 6-10 p.m. April 27.

Tickets are $75 per person and will go on sale Monday at cedarpoint.com.

For those who want to be the first to ride what is being billed as a hyper hybrid coaster, the park is offering $250 tickets to be on the first train to leave the station.

Park spokesman Tony Clark said tickets for the event are limited and likely will sell out quickly.

The Steel Vengeance is rising from the timbers of the park’s old Mean Streak wooden roller coaster and is not only taller but will break numerous world records.

Ticket holders will get exclusive ride time on the new coaster and have the chance to ride the Maverick roller coaster. There will also be complimentary food and beverage and a commemorative souvenir.

“We’re excited to once again be working with Cedar Point on another exclusive first rider event,” Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, said in a statement. “This is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity for participants to experience this incredible roller coaster first, and the event helps us continue to create positive change for students and families in Northeast Ohio through our programming that continues to grow every day.”

This is not the first time the foundation has been the benefactor of Cedar Point’s newest attractions.

The partnership started several years when the NBA All-Star was floating the idea of leaving the Miami Heat to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cedar Point General Manager Jason McClure tweeted an offer to name a coaster after James should he return to play for the wine and gold.

Instead, the park and James forged a partnership that included the foundation holding its summer family reunion at Cedar Point, where kids in its program to keep Akron school children on the path to graduation could enjoy a free day of fun.

Last summer, some 7,000 kids and their relatives traveled from Akron to Sandusky and were treated to a special show starring James, teammate J.R. Smith and singers Jordin Sparks and Usher.

After the first rider night, season and platinum passholders can attend a Passholder FrontierTown Hoedown from 4 to 10 p.m. April 30, May 1 and May 2.

The event will include rides on the Steel Vengeance, Maverick, the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Skyhawk, Antique Cars and the Wave Swinger.

The event is open only to season and platinum passholders and will require a ticket that will be available starting April 10 at cedarpoint.com. To secure a ticket, a valid 2018 season or platinum pass ID number is required.

The special events are all in anticipation of the opening of the Steel Vengeance, which boasts a 200-foot drop, four inversions, a top speed of 74 mph and a record amount of airtime.

Cedar Point opens its gates May 5 to the public for its 149th season.