The Rides Of His Life Boy Wins In Riverfront Park Promo

When 8-year-old Rashad Jones saw the long white limousine pull up in front of Grant Elementary he was impressed.

“Can I ride in your limo, please?” he asked, to no one in particular.

Little did he know that’s exactly what it was there for.

Rashad was honored in a surprise ceremony Thursday for being Riverfront Park’s 50,000th season pass holder.

His entire class gathered in front of the school, singing “Who Stole the Cookie From the Cookie Jar?” and waiting for the mystery winner to be revealed.

Cheered on by his classmates, Rashad’s name was announced. He found out he would be spending the day touring the city in a limousine and taking free rides in the park with Marty Marmot, the park mascot Rashad referred to as “the bear.”

Rashad also received several gifts, including a stuffed Marty Marmot, a brass ring from the Carrousel and a VIP card allowing him free popcorn and soda all summer. To top things off, he and his classmates enjoyed an afternoon pizza party back at the school.

And Rashad will be named honorary grand marshal of the Summer Celebration, a school’s-out event June 15.

The Summer Celebration will be the last day to purchase season passes at the park for the special $23.95 price. The deadline was extended to that day for the event, said Hal McGlathery, Riverfront Park manager.

The park will sell an estimated 10,000 passes by June 15, McGlathery said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo; Graphic: Riverfront Park season passes