Agreement keeps Tweetsie on track through 2010 in Blowing Rock

(AP) - A landmark Wild West theme park nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina will remain open through 2010, despite skyrocketing land prices that threatened to shutter its doors.

The Tweetsie Railroad theme park was up against a 2007 deadline to renew land leases or close, but its owners negotiated deals so the family-run park could operate for at least a few more years at its current site in Blowing Rock. The park will celebrate its 50th season of entertaining families when it opens May 4.