HoliBloggers: Class of 2024
Every May, we do a lot of really important things here at Holiday World.
We open our Front Gates to Guests again. We make sure the pools are filled and ready to welcome you back to Splashin’ Safari. And we introduce a new class of HoliBloggers.
And this May isn’t any different.
We had our biggest outpouring of applicants yet, and we’re proud to introduce our biggest HoliBlogger class ever.
They’ll be sharing their fun, their tips, and their expertise through blog posts and videos over the course of the next year.
Are you ready to meet them?
Here they are!
Meet the HoliBloggers
Ashley Peyton Worth from New Albany, Indiana
Ashley Worth is an international flight attendant turned stay at home mom of her two boys, Chase (4) & Carter (2). She is married to her husband of 14 years and also has a step son, Cayden (17). They recently welcomed in a new foster son.
Ashley has spent many years traveling and has taken on the role of finding fun adventures around Indiana. She started sharing her journey on social media and is now know to many of us as “Thehoosiermama_.”
With her passion for photography she has utilized her skills to create wonderful content that beings local travel, businesses and more to see face for others to see.
She does contracted work for several counties, museums, and businesses around Indiana.
Her goal is to help fellow moms and local families find adventures and make long lasting memories with experiences in their own back yard!
Don Helbig from Cincinnati, Ohio
Don Helbig is an Ohio-based blogger behind Theme Parks By Don, where he shares his passion for theme parks and roadside attractions. With over 40 years of industry involvement, including public relations and digital marketing roles for parks, Don brings a wealth of knowledge to his storytelling. Outside of theme parks, he enjoys attending baseball, football, and hockey games, as well as traveling with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law. Follow Don on X for insider insights into theme parks and sports.
Kate Zhang from Columbus, Ohio
Kate Zhang is a Columbus, Ohio based lifestyle influencer and content creator of diverse interests and a vibrant personality. With an adventurous spirit and insatiable curiosity, Kate is always seeing out new experiences, her goal is to share with you all the good eats, fun times and great finds with genuine authenticity while embracing the joy of discovery.
You will often find Kate exploring new destinations, indulging her food cravings, or enjoying family time with her hubby and 2 dogs. Join Kate on her journey as she continues to inspire, educate and entertain through her authentic storytelling and infectious enthusiasm. Connect with her on social media @heyimkate for daily doses of inspiration, laughter and positivity.
Kayla Luker from Murray, Kentucky
Kayla Luker is a teacher and content creator from Murray, Kentucky. You’ll find her sharing affordable fashion and travel on Instagram and Tiktok as @thefitishbrunette Her passions include: reading, exercise, and shopping. Kayla loves traveling with her husband and elementary aged daughters.
She has been visiting Holiday World since she was a little girl.
Kelly Staten from Indianapolis, Indiana
Kelly Staten is an Indiana based blogger and lives just south of Indianapolis. Kelly is a full-time librarian, but started her blog Lost Between the Pages over ten years ago as a creative outlet for her love of travel, food and books! A theme park and roller coaster enthusiast, Kelly grew up going to Holiday World and is excited to share her love of the park with others. When she’s not reading, you’ll find her out looking for murals, watching Gilmore Girls, cuddling her three cats (Lilly, Everest and Phoenix) or spending time with her husband, Adam.
Kirsten Conn from New Albany, Indiana
Kirsten Conn, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, shares her love for fashion, adventure, and travel through her Instagram & TikTok. She and her husband Cameron travel every chance they get and she loves to share the best local experiences that Southern Indiana & Kentucky have to offer when they are in their home state!
She has a zest for life that you can see through her colorful reel videos she shares through her Instagram. She enjoys the outdoors, planning vacations, gardening, adventures, and spending time with her family and dogs Lulu & Buttercup!
Laura Rieckhoff from Memphis, Tennessee
A mom to 3 kids, I love to live an active life, full life while exploring the world with my family. We are a busy family who loves to be outdoors trying a new sport, hike, attraction or food. We love creating memories as a family together and sharing our favorite finds, trips and deals. You can follow our adventures on Instagram or WalkingInMemphisInHighHeels.com
Max Kennedy from Chicago, Illinois
Max Kennedy is a theme park enthusiast and travel content creator from Chicago, Illinois. You’ll find him posting his theme park tips, tricks, and travels on Instagram and TikTok (@ThisIsMaxKennedy). His love of theme parks goes all the way back to growing up going to Disney World with his family and watching every Travel Channel special about Disney World. In 2018, he got to live out his dream job of being a cast member at Walt Disney World and spent time as a Six Flags scare actor. Today, you can find him exploring theme parks, seeking out local food spots, and showing you that theme parks are more than just roller coasters.
Michael Galyean from Knoxville, Tennessee
Michael Galyean, known virally as the Dancing Blue Shirt Guy, has claimed international views from a dance video involving the UT Dance Team while he was disguised as security. Originally from Delaware, Michael moved to Tennessee with dreams of being a cheerleader and a roller coaster designer. Since neither of those came true, he was honored to be invited by the UT Dance Team to help fulfill one of his bucket list moments. With this, Michael has used his platform to not only promote dance, but to help spread awareness and celebrate local businesses and non-profits in the area.
Since childhood, Michael has always had an infatuation with roller coasters and amusement parks. From studying how coasters are designed to the history of theme parks and the buzz around new attractions, Michael loves speaking the language of all thing’s amusement park. He uses roller coasters as a form of “therapy” and is super excited to share his love with others.
Shana Hudson from Fort Knox, Kentucky
My name is Shana! I am a military, makeup artist, lifestyle, and plant-based content creator! I have a loving husband and two amazing children! My family is my haven and the first people I look forward to, to smile, hope, and create beautiful memories!
Our HoliBloggers are already planning their first trips of the season, and excited to share their stories with you soon. And we’ll be sure to add their contributions to HoliBlogger Central.
Be sure to follow the HoliBlog over the course of the next year to read and see what they have to share.
And don’t forget: each of their blog posts will include a ticket giveaway. That’s dozens of chances to win tickets to visit Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari!
