FUN staff

He made it through last season's "Survivor: The Amazon" on CBS, finishing in second place after weeks in the jungle.

Now, Matt Von Ertfleda will brave The Ragin' Cajun roller coaster at Dixie Landin' Saturday, Aug. 16, and he's taking six area residents along for the ride.

Ertfleda, who will be appearing at the amusement park from 2 to 5 p.m., will be accompanied on the ride by the winners of WAFB-Channel 9's "Survive a Ride" contest. Entrants were required to write in 500 words of less what nine items they would bring to survive on the ride and why, and were judged on originality and creativity.

Winning entries were written by Margo Bush, Tommy Yowell, Aubrey Stevens, Barrett Hutchinson, Berdell Breaux and Pansy Bennett.

In addition to the ride, the winners and three guests will get free admission to the park and adjoining Blue Bayou Water Park for the day and attend the Three Dog Night concert at Dixie Landin' later that evening.

Ertfleda will also be signing autographs and visiting with the crowd. Regular admission prices apply.

The Survivor runnerup is a 33-year-old restaurant designer who lives in Washington, D.C. In 2002, he made People magazine's list of top 50 bachelors.

The parks are located at 18142 Perkins Road.