Powder Keg Flume at Carowinds This classic Carowinds ride took guests on a wild water journey from 1973 - 2009. (WSOC)
1978: Carowinds cast auditions On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
1976: Thunder Road In 1976, Carowinds opened Thunder Road, a racing wooden coaster. The park closed the coaster in 2015. (WSOC)
1977: White Lightnin' opens at Carowinds After opening in 1977, White Lightnin' quickly became a fan favorite. This innovative coaster would catapult riders from 0-53 mph in just 180-feet. It was closed in 1987. (WSOC)
1984: The Smurfs at Carowinds In 1984, Carowinds added Smurf Island, which featured a mushroom village and play structures. (WSOC)
1994: Concert at Carowinds On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
1999: Real World/Road Rules auditions On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
2006: Caleb Haun receives honors for saving drowning child On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
2009: Intimidator provides thrills The Intimidator, Carowinds' giga-coaster named after Dale Earnhardt, was installed in 2009.
2011: The future site of Fury 325 An aerial view shows the expansion area that Carowinds used to build Fury 325, one of the biggest coasters in the world.
1986: A Q & A with soap opera stars and Carowinds parkgoers On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
2000: Survivor castmates Q&A On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
1999: Real World/Road Rules auditions On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
2019: Copperhead Strike debuts Carowinds opened a new area called Blue Ridge Junction in 2019, bringing a new roller coaster: Copperhead Strike.
2001: A Carowinds wedding On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
1988: A Carowinds wedding On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
2001: A Carowinds wedding On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
1986: A woman steals a kiss at a Carowinds soap opera Q & A On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
2001: A Carowinds wedding slide On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
1988: A Carowinds wedding On March 31, 1973, Carowinds opened to the public. 2023 marks 50 years since that date. (Channel 9 archives)
2000s: Chopper 9 Skyzoom view of Carowinds Carowinds is seen from above in the early 2000s.
