Family Hopes $25,000 Gift Doubles in Memory of Will Koch

February 11, 2011; SANTA CLAUS, IND-----With Abraham Lincoln’s birthday just around the corner, Holiday World’s Koch family today issues a $25,000 challenge gift to Lincoln Amphitheatre in memory of Will Koch.

“My oldest son was such an admirer of our sixteenth president,” says Holiday World matriarch Pat Koch. “Part of Will’s legacy is his dedication to seeing the story of Abraham Lincoln’s Indiana roots shared in Lincoln Amphitheatre.”

Abraham Lincoln grew up what is now Lincoln City, Indiana, from the time he was seven until he was 21. Lincoln City is located four miles west of the town of Santa Claus.

The Koch family and Holiday World are encouraging others to donate to Lincoln Amphitheatre in memory of Will Koch, who passed away last June at the age of 48. Thousands of friends and admirers from around the world who sent their condolences remembered him for his vision, integrity, and sense of humor. Will Koch was president of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari for more than 20 years and also served as president of the Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association. His widow, Lori, now serves on the association’s board.

SANTA CLAUS, IND-----The visionary who introduced “free unlimited soft drinks,” an extreme emphasis on friendliness and cleanliness, plus the world’s most popular trio of wooden roller coasters was inducted into the amusement industry’s Hall of Fame this morning.

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari owner and president Will Koch, who passed away unexpectedly in June at the age of 48, was posthumously honored by his peers during opening ceremonies of the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA) Attractions Expo Conference and Trade Show. More than 25,000 IAAPA members from around the world are gathered to attend this week-long event.

Mike Graham from the Gravity Group and William Koch take the first ride on the new Timberliner trains on the Voyage in a video posted by Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.

A world-wide audience will be able to tune in to see behind-the-scenes construction and maintenance work at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari on the National Geographic Channel this week.

A year in the making, the “Ultimate Water Ride” episode of “World’s Toughest Fixes” will focus on construction of Wildebeest water coaster, track work on The Voyage roller coaster, and other park activities.

“NatGeo Channel posted a few sneak previews of the show on their website,” says park president Dan Koch. “It’s an amazing show; we’re all pretty excited to see the full hour Thursday evening.”