The annual Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom's Fright Fest in Louisville, Kentucky has been drawing flak from parents and animal cruelty groups alike after it offered free admission to anyone who was willing to eat a live Madagascar hissing cockroach.

Some parents said the stunt is discriminating against poor children and is a form of child abuse, while an animal rights group is accusing festival organizers of cruelty to cockroaches.

But Carolyn Gaeta McLean, spokesman for the amusement park is unperturbed with accusations and said they would continue offering the promotion because they have received only "minimal number of complaints" and has no intentions of canceling it.

She said, "People complaining are not going to stop us."

The promotion is going on at all Six Flags parks nationwide, although only the Kentucky Kingdom offers free admission upon eating a live cockroach. Other parks allow those willing to eat the cockroaches to go to the front of the line.

McLean said those who intend to eat a cockroach are asked to sign a waiver, and children below 18 will need a parent or guardian to sign the document.

But Philip Haming, a father of five children and a former teacher, said children should not be encouraged to perform a disgusting act for a reward.

He said, "We have been teaching them all these years not to give in to peer pressure. I don't care what adults do."

For her part, PETA spokeswoman and animal rights activist Jackie Vergerio adds, "What is it teaching our children? A child who learns to respect a seemingly insignificant insect is a child that will grow up a compassionate person."