Huckleberry Hound

"Yoo hoo!"

Huckleberry Hound is a former meet-and-greet character at Kings Island. He is one of the most famous characters from Hanna-Barbera's library of cartoons. Unlike Yogi Bear, the Hair Bear Bunch, the Flintstones, and Scooby-Doo, Huckleberry was not one of the original Hanna-Barbera mascots of the park. Huck was introduced to the park at the beginning of the 1975 season, alongside Hong Kong Phooey. He remained at the park into the early 2000s, soon before Hanna Barbera Land was changed to Planet Snoopy. Huck's last appearance at the park was during the 2005 season.

## Physical Appearance

Huck is a hound dog that stands on two feet, with blue fur and black ears. He would usually wear a red bow tie that commonly tends to spin when he's happy, surprised, or shocked, and a usually yellow straw hat with a red band with black spots. In certain cases, he would wear a white hat with a red band with white polka dots, and a flower coming out of the hat. On the feet of the mascot costume would be small metal heels, commonly used on tap dancing shoes. This was made exclusively for the purpose of Huck's ability to tap dance. At times, Huck would be seen wearing black tap dancing shoes for complex dance numbers.

## Background

Huckleberry Hound first appeared in the animated TV series *The Huckleberry Hound Show* by Hanna-Barbera on October 2, 1958. Since then, he has appeared in multiple animated series such as *Yogi's Gang*, *Yogi's Space Race*, and *The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera*, as well as animated films such as *Yogi's Ark Lark*, *Yogi Bear and the Magical Flight of the Spruce Goose*, and even his own film *The Good, the Bad, and Huckleberry Hound*. As a result, alongside the Flintstones, Yogi Bear, and Scooby-Doo, he is frequently considered to be one of the most iconic cartoon characters of all-time.

His background information describes him as a dog who is often ready to take the stage! This tap-dancing hound dog will steal the heart of anyone who looks him straight in the eye, no matter who it is. He can be a little lazy at times, but most of all, he loves laughing, jumping rope, riding his zippy scooter, drinking milkshakes, and eating ice cream.

## Park Appearances

Huck was among one of the most popular meet-and-greet characters at the park (he was definitely the cutest). Occasionally, he was accompanied with his best friend, and longtime singing partner, Snagglepuss, a cowardly pink lion. He additionally appeared in several shows at the park when the family area of the park was known as Hanna-Barbera Land, along with many other characters such as Fred Flintstone and Yogi Bear, including the "Hanna Barbera Dance Party," "The Curse of Dr. Evilspell," and "Flintstone Follies."

As with other Hanna-Barbera characters at the time, Huckleberry Hound also used to be on various souvenir merchandise throughout the park.

Huck's best known appearance at the park was his 20th birthday celebration, held on January 17, 1978.

## Trivia

* Huckleberry Hound has been voiced by a number of actors since his debut in 1958, including his original actor Daws Butler, Greg Burson, Jeff Bergman, and his current actor, Jim Conroy.
* Huck is extremely prone to giggling, as his mascot character was often caught giggling in to his hand.
* Huck has a secret weapon, known as the "Huckleberry Howler." Whenever he uses this weapon, he would let out a loud howl, blowing away anyone around him.
* Huck replaced the Banana Splits, who were the first walkarounds from the park to be retired.
* Huck's mascot performer is commonly a woman, since Huck has the traits and skill of one.