More Rides, More Fun, for Kiddies Village 2011, courtesy of Digicel!

Friday, 15 July 2011 – Road Town, Tortola: The Gravitron is coming to Coney Island for BVI Festival 2011, courtesy of Digicel, The Bigger, Better Network!

The Gravitron, a new-to-Tortola amusement ride, will definitely be the main attraction for the thousands of children and adults alike who eagerly look forward to the Coney Island Kiddies Village each year.

Working in partnership with Digicel, as exclusive telecoms and major sponsors for three years in a row, the Road Town Festival Committee, will open a Bigger, Better Coney Island Village on Thursday 21^st July. Coney Island this year will feature The Gravitron, also known as the Starship 4000. This is a portable ride which first appeared in the US in 1983 and quickly became a fixture at amusement parks in many countries, according to reports.

The ride is enclosed with padded panels lining the inside wall. Some versions of this ride do not have a roof (i.e. the top canvas isn't installed). Riders lean against these panels, which are angled back. As the ride rotates, centrifugal force is exerted against the pads by the rider, removing the rider from the floor, due to the slant. The ride can reach a maximum speed of 24 rpm in less than 20 seconds and at this speed, the riders are experiencing centrifugal force equivalent to three times the force of gravity. The ride operator is located in the centre of the ride. Part of the operator's duty is to control lighting and music in addition to the ride itself.

“The Coney Island rides are coming out of Puerto Rico and this particular Gravitron ride is certainly something you will want to experience for yourselves,” stated CEO, Digicel, Alan Bates. Bates inked the $12,500 contract on Friday with Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festivals and Fairs Committee Mr. Collin Scatliffe.

“Digicel is very excited about giving back to the community in this way. We know that everyone looks forward to Coney Island as part of the annual BVI Festival and we remain committed to supporting the celebrations in this way and contributing to the enjoyment of everyone during the season. We wish everyone a great festival!”

In accepting the cheque, Mr. Scatliffe expressed his gratitude to Digicel for this gesture and confirmed that with the support of Digicel and the addition of the Gravitron ride this year, there will be a better variety of rides and they will indeed be more affordable.

The rides will be open nightly from 6 o’clock, starting 21^st July until 2^nd August. There will be great prices for all of the family - Gravitron and Ferris Wheel rides will be $5 each, Titl-a-Whirl and Round-up - $4 and Boat and Mini-jets - $3.

Also courtesy of Digicel, the Coney Island sub-committee will be offering a special of “buy 2 tickets and get one FREE” and the Kiddies Village (Coney Island) will be open at 5:30pm on Sunday 24^th and 31^st July, 2011 for children with special needs to ride FREE until 7pm.

Ends…