Colorama to bring new feature in place of old

There is a new major event for Colorama this year, because another major feature won't be appearing.

Jump N2 Fun, a firm that features a host of inflatable slides and bounce houses, will replace the carnival this year and will be located at Banks Lake Park, just south of North Dam Park.

"In recent years the Colorama carnival provided by Paradise Amusements has delivered increasingly disappointing showings," the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce said in a statement Tuesday. "Last Friday, they surprised us by deciding not to honor our signed contract with them, saying they were not coming this year." Paradise Amusements had signed a contract that provided for an appearance again this year.

The chamber responded quickly and has secured an appearance by Jump N2 Fun, a Post Falls, Idaho, firm.

Billed as "COLORAMA FUN ZONE," the event will feature "bigger-than-life inflatable slides, obstacle courses and a super fun challenge Bungee Blast – plus bounce houses, basketball and other sports challenges," the chamber's Facebook page says.

There will be an advance ticket sale for the new Fun Zone. Tickets are on sale beginning today at Loepp Furniture, The Star newspaper, the chamber of commerce office, Coulee Hardware, Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union and H&H Grocery.

Advance tickets are $20 (a savings of $5 from box office prices). Tickets are good for four-hour sessions.

Chamber Executive Director Peggy Nevsimal said at the chamber's weekly luncheon last Thursday that she and chamber board members had been unsuccessfully trying to communicate with Paradise for months. They made one last appeal on Friday, but the Paradise owner could not commit, she said.

The development leaves the festival in a bind for volunteers. Carnivals come staffed; The Fun Zone will need helpers.

"This year, more than ever, we need all the help we can get," Nevsimal said Thursday. "If you have any spare time, please consider helping." Call the chamber at 633-3074 for volunteer opportunities.