Entertainment at Holiday World

A visit last week to Holiday World was a pleasant surprise on more than one level. I expected the rides to be kid friendly and I knew of the amazing water park, but I was blown away by the talent offered during the musical productions. The musical shows run from gospel and pop to country. Doing an article for Illinois Times about young Illinois performers I took the time to see 80’s Rewind with Chicagoan Robert Sharkey as one of the starring cast. Aurora native Amy Pfluger and Dundee southern Illinois resident Trevor May made up two of the four stars of the Christian musical production Rejoice!

All three young performers lauded the family atmosphere and welcome they felt working at Holiday World. Performing at Holiday World and before that, Santa Claus Land has been a long held tradition. In the Images of America book about Holiday World there is a recollection of Lori Morris with a picture of her performing. She met her husband Will Koch, of the Holiday World family and they married in 1985. Paula Werne, Director of Public Relations at Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari shard that Will and Lori’s daughters Lauren and Leah, have performed in our shows. “And their son, William, has run tech here for several years. Sadly, Will passed away suddenly in 2010,” Paula said.

While everyone is anxious to get to the rides and the water, take a minute or two to slow down and enjoy the talent that Holiday World recruits from all over the US to entertain the visitors, you will be glad you did!

For more information on Holiday World, check out their website at http://www.holidayworld.com.