On January 17, 2004, Six Flags Great America announced five new attractions and a whole new themed section called Mardi Gras, which included Ragin' Cajun. The newly themed section Mardi Gras transformed parts of the Orleans Place section. The newly family themed area opened on May 3, 2004, along with the park for the 2004 season.[1] Ragin' Cajun opened later that month for the public on May 28, 2004.
Ragin' Cajun at its current location.
On May 29, 2004, the day after opening of the new roller coaster, a 52-year-old Six Flags ride mechanic Jack Brouse of Zion, Illinois, was hit by one of Ragin' Cajun's car full of passengers as he was working along the tracks of the roller coaster. Suffering from a traumatic head injury, he died at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.[2]
On August 29, 2013, Six Flags America announced that they would be adding a new Mardi Gras themed area for the 2014 season for their park. The area would include a roller coaster named, Ragin' Cajun and a Flying Scooters attraction called French Quarter Flyers.[3] With no official announcement from Six Flags or Six Flags Great America, the Illinois Ragin' Cajun was removed after the 2013 season.
The new Mardi Gras section at Six Flags America which includes Ragin' Cajun, replaced the former Southwest Territory themed area. The rides in Southwest Territory including Wild One was rethemed to fit the new Mardi Gras theme.[4]
Ragin Cajun at Six Flags America was built on the former location of Two Face: The Flip Side that was removed from the park in 2007.
Mardi Gras opened with Six Flags America on opening day of the 2014 season. All rides excluding Ragin' Cajun opened on April 5, 2014.[5]
Six Flags America officially opened Ragin' Cajun on June 21, 2014.[6]