Thirty hours in a coffin? Great America takes up the challenge at the Fright Fest



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Hank Salemi said that he would not spend 30 hours in a casket, even though he had had toilet breaks.

But the president of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee knows that many other people are willing to do it.

In concert with its annual Fright Festival, which runs until October 31, Six Flags has just put the challenge at the disposal of customers from 1 pm. October 20 at 7 pm October 21, locked in a coffin 7 feet by 2 feet.

In less than a day since the challenge was put online, more than 300 applicants have already registered for six spots, "said John Krajnak, Director of Marketing at Six Flags.

At Six Flags in St. Louis, which announced the same challenge earlier in the Fright Fest season, 25,000 people signed up for the chance to be among the six selected, added Krajnak. Fifteen theme parks owned by Six Flags Entertainment across the country are participating, and entries are free.

Of course, there are winnings in play – up to six competitors will win two Gold Pass 2019 season tickets for Great America. They can also take their casket home and have the chance to win $ 300 in cash.

But Krajnak thinks the lure is different.

"Some people want to face their fears," he said, "whether it's aloft, roller-coaster, clown, claustrophobic or burial alive."

Regarding the idea of ​​spending 30 hours in a coffin, Krajnak added, "I do not think I can deal with it. There is something about your own mortality. "

Salemi, who has walked all the roller coaster of the park and some of them, said that he "would certainly be too scared to take up this challenge".

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The Six Flags team is building the coffins. "Measuring 2 by 7 feet seems a little intimidating," Krajnak said. "I do not think coffins will be particularly comfortable."

At 1 pm. On October 20, six lucky humans – chosen from among all online applications – will be brought by ghouls to Metropolis Plaza in the theme park and headed to a casket flat on the floor.

The coffin has a half-lid – and sometimes it will be open for Fright Fest customers to see, says Krajnak.

"It's also about security," he added, noting that participants also had to sign a waiver and must be at least 18 years old, among other restrictions.

"Our security group is taking care of that," said Krajnak, adding that coffinspeople would enjoy six-minute bathroom breaks.

One of the most frightening moments will probably be when the cell phones of the coffin inhabitants will be removed from them and will only return them periodically, perhaps to post something on social networks about their experience, Krajnak said. .

"They will not have access to their phone all the time. We can not make it so comfortable, "he said.

Selected participants may bring pillows, blankets and a non-electronic approved security feature. A teddy bear might be a good idea, Krajnak said. But many who have come so far have said that they will bring a book with them.

"We will provide all meals for 30 hours and some snacks," he said. "They will not be hungry. They will be treated to some of the culinary delights of the Six Flags, perhaps a churro or a pizza. "

So really, what are you afraid of?

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There is a chance to contract claustrophobia. According to funding for health research, about 5% of the world's population has this disorder.

People prone to claustrophobia are people who are inhibited, sensitive or negative, according to the Mayo Clinic. According to the clinic, the symptoms include panic attacks accompanied by a fast heart rate, sweating and feeling of impending doom.

But what Krajnak thinks that really scares people of coffins is to be alone in the park after hours.

"I walked late at night while we were not operating, and especially during Fright Fest, it's just a scary environment," he said.

The ghouls of the night will stay in the park – and they could come knocking on the coffin at any time to intimidate humans stuck inside.

At 19 'o clock. On October 21, Nox, the demon lord of Fright Fest, must free humans from their coffins. Standing and with a red face and horns, Nox is probably not the first creature that someone has locked in a small box for 30 hours.

All six humans who come out of the casket for any reason, with the exception of designated bath breaks, will be disqualified.

Those of the six hours who pass through the 30 hours not only get the season passes and other prizes, but they will also be invited as grand marshal to the parade, when all the demons, monsters and ghouls will be released at the Fright Fest Festival. around 5:45 pm each day. "It's when hell breaks loose," Krajnak said.

On October 11th, six coffin residents will be chosen from among the many candidates and will have to accept them by October 13th. Otherwise, alternates will be selected and notified.

"The 30-hour coffin challenge has taken the country by storm … everyone wants it," said Brett Petit, marketing director for Six Flags, in a statement.

Not everyone, you can count on Hank Salemi and John Krajnak.

To register for free, visit https://www.sixflags.com/content/take-fright-fest-30-hour-coffin-challenge-sfgm.

Sheryl DeVore is an independent reporter for News-Sun.

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