
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 4, 1995                   TAG: 9506050058
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

PARK HOLDS CEREMONIES DELAYED BY BOMBING

Busch Gardens has opened a new ride in ceremonies that were delayed a month because advertisements featuring the attraction invoked images of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Ceremonies for the Escape to Pompeii attraction were originally supposed to be held in late April, just days after the bombing at the federal building.

``We didn't feel right about promoting this at the same time, especially since the ride depicts fire and destruction,'' Keith Kasen, executive vice president and general manager of the park, said Friday.

The ride, based on the catastrophe that destroyed the ancient city of Pompeii in 79 A.D., subjects riders to a simulated volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

Comedian Paula Poundstone appeared at Friday's opening ceremony for the attraction.

- Associated Press

by CNB