Negative-G - Old Chicago Shopping Center Á Amusement Park

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Old Chicago Shopping Center & Amusement Park, Bolingbrook Illinois

As the opening of Old Chicago neared there was so much excitement about what it was like as you passed through that grand entrance.

For any business marketing is an important part of telling the story and getting customers through the doors. Old Chicago's inaugural television commercials showed local dancer Michelle Mauthe dancing on top of the park's domed roof.

After construction delays and weather issues it was finally time to open the doors to Old Chicago.

Old Chicago's VIP preview took place the evening of Tuesday, June 17th 1975. Sixteen thousand people were invited causing traffic jams for miles around as there was bumper to bumper traffic up Route 53 all the way into the town of Lisle.

Unfortunately those attending the premiere didn't get much of a chance to enjoy the rides in the fairgrounds due to the the City of Bolingbrook putting a damper on the event by shutting down the rides due to guard fences not up, exposed wiring, half completed storefronts, and issues with the buildings sprinkler system. The threat was made by Bolingbrook's Mayor Nora Wipfler that the grand opening schedules for that Saturday might not happen unless changes are rapidly made.