SANDUSKY -- Cedar Point's Paddlewheel Excursion ride is to make its last voyage on Labor Day, and the amusement park is allowing the local Red Cross chapter to auction the final boatload of seats.
The ride and its lagoon, which have been in existence at the Sandusky park since the early 1960s, are being sold and removed, respectively, to make way for an attraction next year featuring animatronic dinosaurs.
Two final cruises around the Cedar Point lagoon are set for just after 8 p.m. Monday, with 49 passengers being certified as the "Last Riders." The 24 highest bidders will get seats on the last cruise, and the boat will be captained by Cedar Fair LP Chief Executive Dick Kinzel, who is retiring at year's end.
The Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross is the beneficiary of the auction.
Bidding began Friday at firelandsredcross.org/lastride and will continue through 8:30 a.m. tomorrow.
First Published September 1, 2011, 4:19 a.m.
