Silhouette of Shambhala roller coaster at sunset in PortAventura Park, Salou, Tarragona, Spain

© Joaquim F. P./Getty Image

Let's ride! It's Roller Coaster Day

Whether screaming with delight and waving their hands or closing their eyes and praying for it to be over, these riders are on the downslope of one of Europe's biggest and fastest hypercoasters (that's a roller coaster over 200 feet tall). Spain's PortAventura Park is home to seven coasters, more than enough to get the adrenaline pumping. The Shambhala coaster, seen here, reaches 256 feet above the ground and has a max speed of 83 miles per hour. If that's too tame, the park's Red Force roller coaster climbs to 367 feet and reaches 112 miles per hour. Hang on!

Roller Coaster Day happens every August 16, encouraging folks to visit their favorite theme parks and strap in for some winding white-knuckle thrills. With theme parks all over America back open for business this summer, it's a great day to make up for last year's lost rides!