The group that may or may not own the Zippin Pippin has reached an agreement with one of the companies that wants to develop attractions in and around The Pyramid.... Read More »

Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton will unveil his vision for a redeveloped Mid-South Fairgrounds -- new football stadium and all -- to the City Council on Feb. 20.

Expect some council members to be rankled by what's almost sure to be missing: space for an amusement park to replace Libertyland.

Council members expressed support Tuesday in committee for a proposed new park on the old Libertyland site. But the administration's lack of support, as expressed by chief administrative officer Keith McGee, likely dooms the idea, according to park proponent and County Commissioner Steve Mulroy.

Libertyland may be in ruins, but the idea of bringing it back is not dead.

Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy, who has spearheaded a push to re-open Libertyland, says the head of a company called T-Rex still wants to do that.

"The one problem in going forward with the T-Rex deal is that there has been allowed to be a lot of theft and vandalism to the park in the last few months," he said.

Mulroy wants the city to pay for theft and vandalism damage at the park.

T-Rex says $800,000 could fix all of the problems. Under a proposal, T-Rex would pay that money back. Most City Council members seem to agree Libertyland is needed.

Memphis City Council members considered options for the future of the Mid-South Coliseum and the Libertyland Amusement Park property, Tuesday, December 19, 2006. Council was presented a plan to close the coliseum December 31, 2006 and maintain a minimal staff so that it may still be used for graduation ceremonies and occasional events. City officials said if it were to remain a fully functioning arena, the 40-year-old building would need millions of dollars in renovations and outfitting to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Council was also advised of a proposal to create a new amusement park on the Libertyland property. The park would incorporate much of the old Libertyland equipment, including the famous "Zippin' Pippin'" rollercoaster, a favorite ride of Elvis Presley's. The owners of Joyland in Wichita, Kansas said they would invest $5 million dollars in the project and sign a long-term lease with the city. The theme park could be operational by May, 2007 with no cost to Memphis taxpayers, Joyland officials said.

Elvis Presley's favorite amusement park ride has sold at auction in Memphis. The Zippin Pippin roller coaster was a top attraction at Libertyland, an amusement park Presley often rented for private parties. Libertyland is closing and its rides and concession stands were sold at auction on Wednesday.

The Mid-South Fair, Incorporated and the City of Memphis have reached a compromise over which pieces of Libertyland equipment may be sold during an auction Wednesday, but a group fighting to save the amusement park is trying to block the sale.

On June 21, the now-closed Libertyland amusement park intends to auction off over 20 rides, including the famed Zippin Pippin wooden roller coaster.

A Memphis amusement park is selling its nearly century-old carousel. The ride is hand-carved and carries only horses. Historians believe it will fetch close to a one million-dollar price. Advertisement Mid-South Fair Incorporated is trying to sell the carousel after closing its Libertyland amusement park after years of financial struggle. The Mid-South Fair is also facing a costly relocation for the annual fair.

A special city committee met Tuesday to discuss the future of the Mid-South Fairgrounds. The committee looked at five plans, two of which include keeping Libertyland. The other three would keep the gates locked for good. The closure plans upset groups like "Save Libertyland." Group members, like Mike McCarthy, have made it their missions to keep the rides moving. Not because they are roller-coaster fanatics, but because it is yet another piece of Memphis disappearing from the landscape.