September 20, 2012

A Deflated Halloween Icon - Tiny the Spider

I was born in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, got married and moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin which is less than an  hour away from my childhood home. I still have relatives and childhood friends that live in the area so I visit this area on a regular basis. 

When I visit my sister and brother-in-law I often times take Interstate 94 which runs past Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois. When traveling down I94 you can see the iconic rides that are found inside of this amusement park. 

The summer season at Six Flags has come to a close, but the park is gearing up for the September 29th opening of Fright Fest that runs through October 28th. 

In 1981, a wooden roller coaster, American Eagle, was built at the south end of the amusement park. At that time, it was the tallest and fastest two track racing roller coaster. In the early years, this roller coaster would race backwards! I have had the experience of riding this awesome roller coaster front and backwards, yikes. For the first time this summer my six year old grandson experienced the thrill of riding this roller coaster, and like his mother, aunt, uncle, grandfather, and YaYa, he loved it!

The past 21 years the American Eagle, has been decorated with a giant spider, Tiny and her three spider children. As the motorists make their way south towards the Chicago, IL area or north towards Milwaukee, WI on I94, Tiny and her three children are visible from the highway and brings smiles, hoots and howlers to most of the people. 
Tiny and children announced the Halloween season from
the American Eagle at Six Flags Great American for 21 years.


Sadly, Tiny the spider was found on the ground deflated on September 17th next to the American Eagle. 

The giant spider was about 40 feet in diameter, Tiny's three babies, about 20 feet in diameter, will hang on the American Eagle alone this season.



Thank you, Tiny for bringing us 21 years of happiness during the Halloween season.

RIP
Tiny the Spider
1991 - 2012
at

10 comments:

  1. Ruth KellySeptember 20, 2012 at 4:02 PM

    We all gotta go some time!

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  2. Tammy's in LoveSeptember 20, 2012 at 9:55 PM

    Somebody holler RAID and Tiny died of fright! Love the chalk outline!

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  3. Jackie JardineSeptember 21, 2012 at 12:44 AM

    Typically spiders scare the crap out of me...but this is quite sad. Oh the humanity!

    <3 Jackie @ Let's Go Thrifting!
    http://LetsGoThrifting.blogspot.com

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  4. AnneSeptember 21, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    I am scared stiff of spiders so would probably have had to drive past with my eyes averted!

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  5. Jeannie MarieSeptember 21, 2012 at 11:18 PM

    RIP Tiny the Spider! I'm sure you will be missed.

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  6. LauraSeptember 22, 2012 at 2:24 AM

    OH!!! great post!! :) poor tiny!

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  7. Ann@A Sentimental LifeSeptember 23, 2012 at 6:57 AM

    poor Tiny. I cant believe they chalked off the area! LOL

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  8. The mum of all tradesSeptember 23, 2012 at 10:16 AM

    The chalk outline is hilarious. Imagine if you just came across it, not knowing what it was about.

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  9. Heather@Tatter and FraySeptember 24, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    The American Eagle! My all time fave roller coaster! Sad about the spider, though...

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  10. Tammy at Tammy Loves DishesSeptember 25, 2012 at 7:09 PM

    Poor Tiny. It is sad to lose such a long-time icon. Long live her baby spiders!

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