365 Days #109 - Six Flags Over Texas - The Sound of Fun Surrounds You (mp3s)

MP3:
1. The Sound Of Fun Surrounds You (7:15)
2. Six Flags Song (2:06)
3. Six Flags March (2:39)

A very informative guide Six Flags Theme Park off the Dallas / Fort Worth Turnpike circa 1967.  The 7 1/2 minute opening track on Side A "The Sound of Fun Surrounds You" gives the listener an idea of what to expect when exploring Six Flags, while "Six Flags Song" and "Six Flags March" give them something to whistle or hum as they explore.

Note the "Bozo" autograph in red marker on the cover. Was there a Bozo at Six Flags?

- Contributed by: The Bomarr Monk

Images: Front Cover, Back Cover

Media: 7"
Album: The Sound of Fun Surrounds You
Date: 1967

Comments

[Clayton]

Depending on your opinion of Texans, there have been anywhere between several thousand and countless millions of bozos at that particular Six Flags. Seriously, though, I used to visit Six Flags Over Texas as a child. Astroworld was cooler - it had scarier rollercoasters, at least - but I don't recall ever seeing Bozo running around at either Six Flags location. Still, it wouldn't surprise me. Throughout the late '70s and early '80s, you could expect to see any manner of Warner Bros. cartoon character, Muppet, or DC superhero posing for photos and signing autographs, and Bozo was on TV all the time once WGN started broadcasting in Texas.

Texas, in case you were unaware, is a magical land of dismal theme parks. There was even a Sesame Street Land at one point, complete with a life-size set of the famous street itself, and a discovery center that looked like a hayseed version of EPCOT. Complete failure; like an overgrown Showbiz Pizza. And don't even get me started on Aquarina Springs. Two words: swimming pig.

Yee-haw!

[Jess]

I really liked that swimming pig at Aquarina, personally. Then again, I came from Albuquerque, NM, whose "amusement parks" were limited to "Cliff's" (some small rollercoasters and carnival rides) and "The Beach," a water park in the middle of the desert, complete with a wave pool and lazy river.

Also, I prefer to think that this album was not autographed by, but actually belonged to Bozo.

[Clayton]

Just a joke. One of my favorite memories from when I was young was taking the skycar with my grandfather, riding in the glass-bottomed boat, and of course seeing the swimming pig, Ralph. But once you've seen something a hundred times, what's the point? Still, I just did a little research online, and it turns out that Aquarena Springs has changed its name to the Aquarena Nature Center, is now a conservatory, and no longer has a swimming pig. I'll admit this make me a little sad.

[Angus Wynne III]

Thanks for the memories of "the Park" as it once was--that audio tour is priceless for its depiction of 6 Flags' original historical emphasis, now almost totally forgotten. But I have heard that the new ownership--there have been many owners since my father's Great Southwest Corporation--may have at least some interest in restoring the historical/educational aspects which have unfortunately been diminished over time. I sincerely hope that Dad's keen interest in making history fun will someday regain precedence over the total thrill-ride culture which has replaced it. You have reminded me once again of what a wonderful place 6 Flags could and should be!

[William R.]

Does anyone know the name of the show tune the cast is singing in the clip from the amphitheater? The clip from the Crazy Horse is "Good Clean Fun" from the Broadway musical "Tenderloin."