The 30-year-old American Eagle roller coaster will be saluted during this season’s opening weekend at Six Flags Great America, 542 N. Route 21, Gurnee. You can purchase tickets to the amusement park online for Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8, at $19.81 each, priced to mark the year the coaster was built.

The record-setting American Eagle is the tallest, fastest and longest-racing wooden roller coaster in the world. It has a 147-foot drop and travels at 66 miles per hour.

In addition to the American Eagle, there are 13 other roller coasters and three child-themed areas at Great America, and there are several new attractions at the park this year.

Hurricane Harbor has been expanded with the addition of Riptide Bay. The water park now covers 20 acres with five new, challenging slides, luxury cabanas, a huge lagoon and more.

New shows include “Pop Fusion: Sounds of the New Millennium,” in the Grand Music Hall in Hometown Square, and “Kidzpolis Kidz Challenge” in Kidzopolis.