Giant waterslide event in Grand Rapids draws media attention from New York Times

The New York Times writes that last weekend's giant waterslide delivered thousands of people to downtown Grand Rapids via a 100-foot drop, some vinyl and a bit of water.

According to excerpts from the story:

If only the commute downtown could always be this much fun. This weekend thousands of people — provided they are at least 48 inches tall — are expected to descend into the low-lying center of Grand Rapids, Mich., on what promoters of the event believe is the world's longest inflatable water slide.

The puffy blue and yellow slide is about 500 feet long, stretching about three city blocks down the Lyon Street hill. It will carry participants — or, rather, sliders — on an elevation drop estimated at 100 feet. Water from a fire hydrant will slick the vinyl track.

Read the complete story here.