Crowd becomes frustrated after long wait for free Kentucky Kingdom passes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- What was supposed to be a charitable gesture turned into chaos Monday as a large crowd gathered in response to a promotion for free season passes to Kentucky Kingdom.

The TMG - Mardrian Group issued a news release saying that 300 free season passes would be issued to kids 14 and under on Monday, between 1 and 6 p.m. at 2028 West Broadway.

"Low-income and under-served families will be our first priority and these children will receive the first 300 season passes," the company stated in the release.

Company officials said the giveaway was a response to the city's closure of public pools this summer.

Many people hoping to get the free passes showed up hours before 1 p.m. One woman who said she was the first person to arrive said she had been waiting since 7:30 a.m. While waiting, people said there was plenty of arguing, pushing and shoving, with some people cutting in line.

It’s now 1:02pm. Still waiting for @KentuckyKingdom passes. pic.twitter.com/jZHP3t45Hq
— Kate Springer (@Kate_Springer) June 10, 2019

Organizers passed out bottles of water to some people, but WDRB's Kate Springer said some people were taken away in ambulances.

Instead of a season pass, people first in line received red vouchers that would allow them to come back later and get an actual pass.

The line for the tickets stretched down the street. One woman who was near the back of the line said a little boy was almost hit by a car. Police showed up around 1:30 p.m. to help control the crowds. About an hour later, police told everyone that all the free passes had been distributed.

That was not what people who waited for hours wanted to hear. Many in the crowd complained about the lack of information on the giveaway from organizers.

"Kids want something to do for the summer, and they done took away the pools," one woman in line said. "This is what the results are for taking away the pools."

Metro Councilwoman Jessica Green applauded TMG’s purchase of the tickets and what was initially thought to be a calm way to give back to the community.

"I know that people are struggling every day to be able to put good on the table, to be able to keep their lights on so something like a pass for their kids is a luxury," she said.

Kentucky Kingdom released a statement commending the business for trying to help, but the park wants people to understand it is not giving away season passes.

"TMG, a local construction company, has purchased a number of Kentucky Kingdom season passes, with the intention of distributing them to children in the community who are affected by the local public pool closures this summer. Kentucky Kingdom applauds TMG as a good corporate citizen. However, because some confusion has arisen from the media reports covering this story, Kentucky Kingdom would like to make it clear that the theme park is not offering free season passes."

Metro Parks has teamed up with JCPS and YMCA to offer special pricing and programs throughout the summer. For a complete list, click here.