Business & Tech

Six Flags Cockroach-Eating Contest Still on but Under Review

Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is reviewing a contest it holds each Friday night during Fright Fest after a man dies in following an insect-eating contest in Florida.

The cockroach-eating contest held Friday nights at Six Flags Fright Fest will continue while the event is being reviewed by park officials following the death of a 32-year-old man who participated in a similar contest at a Florida pet store last week, according to the Associated Press.

"The contest has not been suspended, simply being reviewed according to the statement below," said Brandon Bruce, Six Flags Public Relations Specialist

We were sorry to learn about the unfortunate incident at the reptile store in Florida and our hearts go out to the gentleman’s friends and family. We are confident our eating contests are safe as the insects we use are raised specifically for human consumption. Insects are considered a delicacy in many cultures; however, even though this appears to be an isolated incident, we are reviewing the eating contests at our parks to ensure we maintain a safe environment for our guests.

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Six Flags cockroach-eating contest, held at 6 p.m. every Friday during Fright Fest, is open to the first 10 registrants at the park.

According to Six Flags, the first person to eat five live Madagascar hissing cockroaches wins two 2013 season passes. Each participant wins a one-use Flash Pass.

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Madagascar hissing cockroaches can average 2-3” in length and 1-1 ½” in width.


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