Smithsonian to open new Indian museum

Washington — The Smithsonian Institution’s new National Museum of the American Indian will open Tuesday on the National Mall in Washington.

Tribal communities have contributed to the exhibits, collections and design of the building and landscaping. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the cultures, histories, languages and artifacts of American Indians.

It will be launched with a six-day special event, the First Americans Festival, from Tuesday to Sept. 26, featuring free performances by more than 300 singers, dancers, storytellers and artisans representing three dozen tribes throughout the Americas.

The five-story facility will be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

Because large crowds are anticipated and some galleries are small, timed passes are necessary for admission. A limited number of free passes will be distributed daily starting at 10 a.m. at the east entrance of the museum.

Reserve timed passes in advance for a fee of $1.75 per ticket plus a $1.50 service charge per order by calling (866) 400-NMAI or visiting www.tickets.com.

For more information about the museum, visit www.AmericanIndian.si.edu.

Amusement parks, rides win ‘golden ticket’

Arlington, Texas — Amusement park season is winding down in many parts of the country, thanks to back-to-school schedules and cooler temperatures.

But the end of summer also means the results are in for this year’s “Golden Ticket Awards,” honoring the best rides and parks across the country.

The awards are made by the industry newspaper Amusement Today based on votes cast by hundreds of park-and-ride connoisseurs. This year’s winners, which included many repeats from past year’s lists, are Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, for best park; Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas, for best waterpark; Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind., for friendliest and cleanest park; Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio for best shows; Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pa., for best food; Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., for best landscaping and most beautiful park; and Paramount’s Kings Island, in Kings Mills, Ohio, for best kids’ area.

A new category, best kids’ park, was won by Legoland in Carlsbad, Calif.