Slide the City bringing 1,000-foot slip-and-slide to Columbia

Slide the City, a glorious, 1,000-foot slip-and-slide, returns to Columbia on Saturday, June 11. Gadsden Street will be transformed into a block party with an inflated vinyl slide the length of three football fields. And this year the slide is longer, faster and cheaper.

Participants have the option to slide twice, an unlimited number of times over five hours or an unlimited number of times throughout the day.

“I’m guaranteeing this will be the most fun event they ever spent $30 on in their life,” said Spencer Hunn, Slide the City co-owner.

Here’s what you need to know:

There are three sliding lanes – one for single sliders, a family lane where parents and children can ride at the same time, and a “party lane” for those craving a wilder ride.

All sliders must be at least 5 years old and 46 inches tall. All minors must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

Mayor Steve Benjamin will be the first person to christen the slide. He’ll be followed by 200 kids who he sponsored to slide for free.

For the second year in a row, the Celebrate Freedom Foundation is working with Slide the City as the charity partner to provide local volunteers. In return, Slide the City makes a monetary donation to support CFF’s mission to educate children, promote patriotism and honor the military.

Slide improvements this year include a starting ramp to make this the steepest and fastest slide Slide the City has done, Hunn said. He’s also covering a dip in the road that slowed some riders last year.

Prices are lower this year. It was $50 for the ultimate slide last year. This year, it’s $30.

It should be less crowded. Instead of one daylong event, participants sign up for either a morning or afternoon session, so not as many people have to wait in line at the same time.

Hunn suggests coming early or late. “The lines are the worst between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Lines are usually light after 4 p.m.”

Come for the slide. Stay for the party. There will be a block party with music from DJs and food from local food trucks.

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 5:39 PM.