Press Release from Busch Gardens Williamsburg:
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (July 16, 2009) – A 22-year-old man from Lanham, Md. engineered a roller coaster out of crunchy snacks to win the Pretzel Coaster Build-off Contest today at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.
Gregory Stanton used about five bags of pretzels to build the winning coaster in three hours. The judges – experts in the pretzel and roller coaster fields – praised the winner for his attention to detail, accuracy and overall presentation.
Stanton was one of six semi-finalists who earned a spot in the contest by building his own pretzel-coaster at home and submitting it to the Snyder’s of Hanover Web site. The finalists competed today at Busch Gardens using only pretzels, a glue gun and their creativity. Each had the same challenge – to build Apollo’s Chariot, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this season.
Stanton was awarded a four-pack of Platinum Passes valid for admission and in-park discounts for two years at Worlds of Discovery throughout the United States. Also, he receives a year’s supply of Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels. The estimated retail value of the grand prize is more than $1,350.
“I thought I had a good chance, but there were a lot of good entries,” said Stanton. “We tried to copy it exact and that’s what we went for.”
Busch Gardens is a Worlds of Discovery®. Other Worlds of Discovery include Water Country USA in Williamsburg; Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fl.; the SeaWorld parks in San Diego, San Antonio and Orlando, Fl.; Sesame Place near Philadelphia; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Adventure Island in Tampa; and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, in Orlando.
Snyder’s of Hanover has been America’s favorite Pretzel Bakery since 1909. They have been recognized for their creative new products and their assortment of delicious pretzels. Snyder’s of Hanover is the healthy, great tasting brand of snacks Americans choose! For recipes and amusing facts on pretzels visit www.snydersofhanover.com.
