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K'NEX SCREAMIN' SERPENT ROARS INTO VIEW!

The First Sighting of K'NEX Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster Will be at ACE's CoasterCon XXIV

Hatfield, PA - June 15, 2001- K'NEX Industries, one of the world's leading construction toy manufacturers, announced today that it will unveil its highly anticipated Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster at CoasterCon XXIV, the American Coaster Enthusiasts' 24th annual conference, in Hersheypark, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, June 17, 2001. The announcement came from Chris Campbell, K'NEX Vice President of International Marketing. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 8:00 p.m. that evening in the Trailblazer Catering Area at Hershey Park, with a reception to follow.

At the ceremony, K'NEX will present ACE President Bill Linkenheimer with a built model of the Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster and a donation to Ace's National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives, which, when completed, will be the world's first facility dedicated to the preservation of roller coaster memorabilia.

Endorsed by the American Coaster Enthusiasts, Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster is the newest addition to K'NEX "Family Fun" line of building products. In making the announcement, Mr. Campbell said, "It is fitting that we launch the Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster at American Coaster Enthusiasts' CoasterCon XXIV because ACE is world's largest club of amusement ride enthusiasts and Screamin' Serpent is the world's smallest working roller coaster, offering ride enthusiasts and kids of all ages the world's greatest construction play experience."

The Screamin' Serpent construction set builds a scale model of a modern steel roller coaster-23 feet of track, 6-1/2 feet long, and 3 feet high. A motion-activated sound module sends forth the screams and laughter of excited kids as the coaster flies around the track, punctuated by the "click …click …click" of the motorized climbing action as brightly-colored, rail-hugging cars ascend the heavens, then plunge back to earth and enter a zero-gravity loop. Kid figures with poseable arms are included and can be easily snapped into the roller coaster seats. Flag stickers and graphic panels provide the finishing decorative touches. The massive structure is the ultimate K'NEX builder's challenge and comes with complete instructions for two roller coaster designs. "Our Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster offers the entire family the opportunity to put their construction capabilities to the test," said Chris Campbell. "This impressive build, with lifelike sound and motion, brings families together for the fun and excitement of building the world's smallest working roller coaster in their own homes. It's really a delightful model!"

After its formal dedication, the Screamin' Serpent Roller Coaster will remain on display at CoasterCon XXIV, and the American Coaster Enthusiasts' executive committee will tour K'NEX Industries in Hatfield, PA, on Friday, June 22, 2001.

Founded in 1992, K'NEX Industries was formally established to make and sell what has become one of the world's leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 150 international awards and recognitions, K'NEX seeks to build young minds with its exciting product line and critically acclaimed K'NEX Education program. For more information, consumers can visit www.knex.com or call 1-800-KID-KNEX.

American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is the world's largest club of amusement ride devotees. ACE was founded in 1978 as a not-for-profit, all volunteer club to foster and promote the conservation, appreciation, knowledge and enjoyment of the art of the classic wooden roller coaster and the contemporary steel coaster. For more information, consumers can visit www.aceonline.org or e-mail Brian Peters, Ace's Membership Director, at brian.peters@mindspring.com

 

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Contact:
Melissa Fogarty/Beth Mosher
LITZKY PUBLIC RELATIONS
(201) 222-9118
email: mfogarty@litzkypr.com

About K’NEX Brands

Founded in 1992, K’NEX Brands, the world’s most innovative construction toy company, was established to make and sell what has become one of the world’s leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 200 international awards and recognitions, K’NEX is America’s building toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love, and encourages youngsters to “imagine, build and play.”  For more information, please visit www.knex.com.