Six Flags Great America in Gurnee celebrating 50 years

GURNEE, Ill. (WLS) -- Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is marking 50 years of thrills, memories and tradition.

The amusement park's original Barbershop Quartet "Four of a Kind" helped kick off the festivities Friday.

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They provided the original soundtrack when Great America first opened. They performed at the park for only the first two years, but the Great America connection remains.

The celebration will continue all day and all night with a special fireworks display.

Guests are invited to step back in time and explore the evolution of the park.

And for the first time in nearly 10 years, the iconic American Eagle wooden coaster is back with side-by-side racing.

"American Eagle has been a classic of Six Flags Great America for more than four decades," said John Krajnak, park president of Six Flags Great America. "Bringing back racing is a meaningful way to celebrate the nostalgia guests remember while delivering the kind of thrilling, shared experience that defines our park today."

The racing cars will return on June 20.

It was known as Marriott's Great America in 1976 on opening day 50 years ago.

"Looking back and seeing the reaction from everyone in the park today, we get it. It's kind of emotional," said Tom Allen, with the quartet.

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Six Flags took over Great America in 1984, but they are still celebrating Friday with free cupcakes.

Some fans are dressing the part, or at least how they believe their parents dressed in the 70s.

"We love Six Flags, and we missed it the first time. So we thought we'd dress the part," Stephen Kristof said. "Based on Google, I think we got it pretty OK."

Albert Mikesell is celebrating 50 years and his record for the most rides on the Rakshasa rollercoaster, which opened last year: 325 rides.

"Someone made me a bet I couldn't ride 100 times. It did that by June 25," Mikesell said.

For ABC7 photographer Mike Locashio, it's a trip down memory lane.

He was there with his mother for opening day 50 years ago, even meeting Daffy then, and again Friday.

"Some of my best memories as a kid are right here at Great America. And my mom gave me that gift," Locashio said.

And now hundreds of thousands of other parents are sharing that gift with their children.

Hardeep Lall has worked at the park since he was in high school 37 years ago. Now he's the general manager, reflecting on the park's anniversary.

"Looking back at the memories, the connections we have made with the guests and our staff," Lall said.

There are dozens and dozens of rides at Great America, including some 17 roller coasters.

The iconic Columbia Carousel is one of the original rides from the opening in 1976.