The second annual Thrill on the Hill begins today in Buchanan, offering residents the rare chance to blast down a 550-foot water slide on Front Street.

The three-day event will take place from  4  to 10 p.m. Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Those participating are asked to bring their own flotation device that is free of sharp or pointy edges.

The mega water slide is just one of Thrill on the Hill’s many features. Those who participate will also have the chance to take part in a number of activities, including arts and crafts, a children’s splash zone, carriage rides, food vendors, an adult kuau party and live music. The band P.S. Dump Your Boyfriend will play at 8:30 p.m. Friday. The concert is free with the purchase of a $5 wristband.

The event is put on by the Buchanan Chamber of Commerce and the City of Buchanan. A number of local sponsorships helped to cover the cost of the event. Proceeds raised during the Thrill on the Hill will support the parks department and help to update local parks.    

Randy Hendrixson, the executive director for the chamber, said people are not likely to find anything like Thrill on the Hill in another city.

“Not only is it super cool, but what community closes down their main road coming into town and puts a giant slip and slide there?” Hendrixson said.

City manager Bill Marx echoed this sentiment.

“We love to put on a great event for the community,” Marx said. “It’s great to see all the smiles.”

The slide is created from thousands of pounds of sand that is poured along Front Street and covered with a plastic material. The sand is borrowed from the city and will be put back into storage after the event. The sand is used on the roads during the wintertime.

Last year was the inaugural Summer Thrill on the Hill, which was modeled after the winter event, during which participants use sleds instead of inner tubes. Due to an unseasonably warm winter, this year’s winter Thrill on the Hill was canceled.

Hendrixson said the loss of the winter Thrill on the Hill partially inspired organizers to tack on one more day to the summer version to make up for the winter event. He also said by making the event longer they are hoping to draw more residents, while also keeping the line times down.

Drawing upon the experience last year, Hendrixson said organizers improved upon the slide’s design from last year. To add a little more thrill to the event, the hill will feature a 3-foot elevation at the slide’s start. A rubber coating in addition to the plastic top will help to reinforce the slide.

“[Thrill on the Hill] was engineered for more speed,” Hendrixson said. “We also wanted to make sure that it is more durable. We want to get more people down it quicker, that way the lines are shorter.”

Hendrixson commended the partnership between the city and the chamber and encouraged people to participate in the event that not only supports a worthy cause, but that also offers an enjoyable opportunity for people of all ages.

“It is a very family oriented event,” Hendrixson said.

The cost is $5 per day for a wrist band. Three-day wristbands are available for $10. Wristbands cover continuous rides down the slide.

Event schedule:

Thursday

4 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Thrill on the Hill is open

Friday

Noon — Thrill on the Hill opens

6 p.m. — Rubber duck race

6 to 9 p.m. — Carriage rides

8:30 p.m. — P.S. Dump Your Boyfriend performs

11 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Adult Luau Party, the Moose Lodge will provide a beer tent

Saturday

10 a.m. – Thrill on the Hill opens

All day — Arts and crafts

6 p.m. — Rubber duck race

10 p.m. — Thrill on the Hill closes