After a successful inaugural season in 1967, Six Flags Over Georgia was ready to grow. The very next year the park expanded with the introduction of Lickskillet, a new land inspired by a real Georgia mining town from the 1800s. Over the years, Lickskillet was home to some of the park’s most beloved attractions, including Wheel Burrow, Drunken Barrels, Spindle Top, Sky Buckets, The Wheelie, and Splashwater Falls.
This season, the story of Lickskillet continues with the exciting addition of Georgia Gold Rusher, a first of its kind free-spinning roller coaster, blending the land’s rich history with cutting-edge thrills.
Bringing a new roller coaster to life is more than just steel and tracks. In the words of Six Flags Creative Designer, Paul Bonified, “we always start with story”. Before Georgia Gold Rusher officially opened last Saturday, we met up with Paul to learn more about how the story of the ride weaves into the legendary land of Lickskillet and how our creative team works to bring that story to life.
The Backstory of Georgia Gold Rusher
“There’s gold in them thar hills!” Georgia’s gold rush in the 1800s brought prospectors from far and wide to the state, all in search of fortune. Among them was William “Willy” Gibson, a young, smart entrepreneur with a wily streak.
With thoughts of “work smarter, not harder,” Willy Gibson devised a bold plan to mine gold through the use of a steam-powered hydraulic excavator. The giant machine slugged forward and backward through a huge water reservoir, letting water do the heavy lifting as it loosened precious gold from the soil. His invention not only struck gold, it created an unexpected side effect: an exhilarating, twisting, water-powered adventure that became the ride we now know as Georgia Gold Rusher.
Bringing the Backstory to Life
The story of Willy Gibson and his hydraulic excavator is brought to life in a few different ways throughout the Georgia Gold Rusher queue. From the moment guests approach the coaster, they’re immersed in the sights and sounds of a bustling mining operation from the 1800s.
Just to the left of the entrance, the soothing rush of water cascades down from Carousel Hill into a wooden mining sluice, a historical tool used by prospectors to separate gold from gravel. This authentic touch sets the stage for the adventure ahead and ties the attraction into the surrounding landscape.
As guests wind through the queue, they’ll find themselves surrounded by relics of the gold rush era. Vintage mining tools—shovels, lanterns, sifters, and even sticks of dynamite—transport visitors back in time, making it feel as if they’ve stepped onto an active gold mining site. For longtime parkgoers, there’s even a nostalgic nod to the past: a tribute to Splashwater Falls, the beloved ride that once occupied this very spot.
With every detail, Georgia Gold Rusher blends history with thrills, breathing new life into Lickskillet’s golden past. But the excitement doesn’t stop there. This season, we’re focused on enhancing theming and storytelling across the park. From the already announced changes to our USA section to the teased refresh happening at Promenade Primo’s Pizzeria, even bigger changes are on the horizon.
There’s no better time than now to become a Six Flags Over Georgia season passholder and enjoy all of the exciting additions coming this season and beyond! Lock in a 2025 Silver Pass at the lowest price of the season – only $49, plus applicable taxes and fees – and enjoy special perks like free parking, food and merchandise discounts, and more. Visit our Tickets & Passes page to become a season passholder today.