Cedar Point is once again teaming up with LeBron James to raise money and awareness for his charitable efforts to encourage Akron school kids to stay in the classroom.
The Sandusky amusement park is offering a limited number of special VIP tickets for the first chance to check out its new Cedar Point Shores Water Park on May 25.
All proceeds will go to the LeBron James Family Foundation from the $50 ticket to be first to ride the new slides and attractions inside the former Soak City from 6 to 8 p.m. Ticket holders will also be allowed to wander over to the amusement park, which typically requires a separate admission.
The park’s partnership with the NBA All-Star originated a few years ago when James was floating the idea of leaving the Miami Heat to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cedar Point General Manager Jason McClure sent out a tweet encouraging him to come back to Northeast Ohio and even offered to rename one of the park’s coasters after James should he return to play for the Cavaliers.
The park instead worked out a partnership with the foundation that also includes hosting hundreds of Akron schoolchildren who participate in the foundation’s programs for a day of fun each summer.
“As a proud supporter and family member of Cedar Point, we are thrilled to be working with them as they open Cedar Point Shores,” said Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, in a statement. “Not only will guests have the first opportunity to experience everything new, they will also help us continue our mission to inspire and support the youth right here in Northeast Ohio through education.”
The first year of the partnership raised some $126,000 for the foundation when Cedar Point auctioned off seats on the conversion of the stand-up Mantis coaster into the sit-down Rougarou, with one person bidding $760 for the chance to ride in one of the front seats.
Last year, the park offered tickets for the first rides on its record-breaking Valravn roller coaster and raised another $73,000 for the charity.
The revamped 18-acre water park features several new attractions including the Point Plummet, a six-story aqua-drop slide, and Portside Plunge, an inner tube attraction. For younger kids, there is the Lakeslide Landing with 12 kid-size water slides.
The water park is set to open to the public May 27.