I’ve been going to Silver Dollar City for over 42 years.

I remember Rube Dugan’s Diving Bell. I loved Huck Finn’s Hideaway, and the Wilderness Water Boggan. Dang, that thing was fast!

Sadly those attractions now only exist in my memories.

I remember the Flooded Mine sans boat weaponry. The strobe light explosion (“I’m gettin’ outta here, no matter what!”) and falling balls where the prisoner is currently attempting to escape via a rope scared me. But I loved it. WE loved it.

Of course, the Fire in the Hole was no different. It scared me, but I loved it. “Everybody’s heart is filled with fear…” as the theme song to the ride went.

We’ve continued to frequent Silver Dollar City over the decades, and part of the joy has been introducing our sons to the same attractions we enjoyed as children. Now, they love them, too!

We get it. In order to survive, theme parks have to expand, to evolve. They’re in a fight for our entertainment dollars. And we know that running a theme park the caliber of Silver Dollar City isn’t cheap.

But I think we can all agree Silver Dollar City is different. We crave the nostalgia, probably more than any theme park in the world.

Quite simply, we are heartbroken to learn that another piece of our childhood, the Fire in the Hole, will soon pass away.

We implore the Herschend Family and Silver Dollar City to keep the Fire in the Hole in its original state. You have plenty of room to expand around it. And while you’re at it, why not throw it (and the Flooded Mine) a little TLC and restore them to their former glory? Oh, and bring back the hobo shower on the train ride, too, if you can!

Please, let our children experience the thrill of introducing their children to the Fire in the Hole someday.

And here’s to hoping that “Red Flanders” doesn’t find his stolen pants anytime soon!

Sincerely and with warmest regards,

Eric Winkler, fan of Silver Dollar City.

Do you have your own memories of Fire in the Hole and want it to remain? Please sign the petition!