The Bay Area’s Most Exciting Theme Park

Enjoy an action-packed day at Northern California’s premier amusement park, California’s Great America.

Thrill seekers can once again blaze a path on RailBlazer, Great America’s groundbreaking single-rail steel coaster. The first of its kind on the West Coast, RailBlazer sends riders on an “off-road” trip over rocky peaks and twisted valleys. With an initial 90-degree drop of over 100 feet, RailBlazer dares riders to challenge 1,800 feet of track and three inversions — including a zero-gravity roll.

If that wasn’t enough, jump on Patriot, Great America’s first floor-less roller coaster, or take a spin on Gold Striker, the tallest wooden coaster in the Northwest.

Great America’s family rides include the wet and wild Rip Roaring Rapids and Whitewater Falls, and a 4D journey through space featuring characters from EA’s Mass Effect video games.

Little ones will delight in meeting the PEANUTS gang as they visit the Planet Snoopy kids area. When you need a breather, take in some live entertainment happening throughout the park.

Then in summer, bring your bathing suit for some fun at South Bay Shores, a water park with a wave pool, lazy river and thrilling slides — all included in admission.

As a reminder, all 2022 Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pre-K Season Passes will be honored during the 2022 season, including 2022 Season Pass add-on products. All 2022 park admission tickets are valid through Sept. 6, 2022.

SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT

Opportunities are available, and our new hiring process helps applicants apply and interview virtually. More details can be found at cagreatamerica.com/jobs.

Additional park news and fall operating dates will be shared in the upcoming months.

https://www.cagreatamerica.com/park-update

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services

JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more information: www.EMIsportsCentral.com

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Halloween Haunt Returns to California’s Great America

Halloween Haunt at California’s Great America

SANTA CLARA, CA – Halloween Haunt at California’s Great America is back with a vengeance this year. This Bay Area’s premier Halloween event features terrifying scare mazes, spooky shows and frightening themed zones packed with hordes of monsters at every turn.

See the park fully transformed as terror-inducing classics like Killer Clown Town, Tooth Fairy and Backwoods return in all their horrifying glory. Head to Orleans Place for a voodoo dance party decked out with Halloween activities, circus acts, live music, festive lights and haunting décor.

Tickets are on sale now at www.cagreatamerica.com/haunt.

Halloween Haunt offers eight haunted mazes, each with its own frightening theme in a standalone experience, plus three scare zones, where guests encounter midways that have been completely transformed with ghoulish monsters and rampant scares.

The Tooth Fairy maze will lead guests on a terrifying journey through the twisted world of a dental fiend in search of loose teeth who drags people from their bedrooms and into a nightmarish dentist’s office. Madame Marie’s Massacre Manor, a perennial guest favorite maze, will be re-imagined in 2021 as Madame Marie’s Blackout. The lights have been turned off in Madame Marie’s mansion, and guests are given only a dim flashlight to lead their way through her cursed halls. Also the Ripper’s Revenge scare zone, where guests will encounter a mob of villains who are dead set on taking over old-town London—and running off any guests who stand in their way.

Halloween Haunt’s returning mazes include Backwoods, Chaos House, CornStalkers, Roadkill Roadhouse, Wax Museum Chamber of Horrors and Zombie High. Popular scare zones Jester Town and Feary Tales will also return in 2021.

A tantalizing opening ceremony will begin the nightly horrors at Great America’s front gate. The 2021 season will also delight guests with the return of fan favorite live entertainment shows Blood Drums, Nytewalkers and Sideshow.

“This year, Halloween Haunt remains the Bay Area’s leading Halloween experience,” said Sean Lee, entertainment manager at California’s Great America. “With a maze and scare zone, as well as a new twist on a returning maze, Halloween Haunt will continue to offer intense scares for Great America guests.”

Halloween Haunt is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m.–midnight through Oct. 23 and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 15–29. On Sundays, Halloween Haunt is open 7 p.m.–midnight, except Sunday, Oct. 24, when Halloween Haunt will be closed for an event at Levi’s Stadium.

For younger kids who want to enjoy Halloween fun without the scares, The Great Pumpkin Fest takes over Great America during daytime hours on weekends. Featuring trick-or-treating with Snoopy and the PEANUTS gang, pumpkin decorating, a hay maze and coloring, this event brings Halloween activities to life for the entire family. Great America will also entertain with “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” movie showings and book readings throughout the day.

Tickets for Halloween Haunt and The Great Pumpkin Fest are available now and can be purchased online at www.cagreatamerica.com. Gold Passholders get unlimited visits. Guests looking to enhance their Halloween Haunt experience can purchase a Fright Lane pass to scream past the regular lines and gain one-time front of the line access for each haunted maze. All students can receive discounted Halloween Haunt admission by showing their valid student ID.

Check out the park schedule and ticket prices at www.cagreatamerica.com

Other seasonal entertainment at CA Great America events: Halloween Haunt (Friday-Sunday, Sept. 24-Oct. 31) and WinterFest (select nights Nov. 26-Jan. 2). Halloween Haunt will celebrate its 14^th anniversary, and the highly decorated WinterFest will be back for a six season of holiday fun beginning November 26.

Additional Information

The State of California strongly recommends that park guests be either fully vaccinated, obtain a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of attending the park or wear a face covering while outdoors. Face coverings are required in all indoor public settings for all guests age two years and older regardless of vaccination status.

Additional fees may apply. For events with a discounted price, no coupon or promo code is necessary to purchase tickets.

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services

JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more information: www.EMIsportsCentral.com

California’s Great America: Opening Day Saturday May 22.

2021.04.12 – California’s Great America is excited to announce that the 2021 spring and summer operating calendar is now available with scheduled dates through Labor Day. The South Bay Shores waterpark operating calendar will be released soon.

Key Park Dates

California’s Great America Opening Day: Saturday, May 22
South Bay Shores Waterpark Opening Day: to be announced soon
Taste of Orleans: Weekends July 17–August 1

2021.04.12 – CA’s Great America (South Bay Shores) Update

Watch this video on YouTube

2021.04.12 – CA’s Great America (South Bay Shores – Construction Update)

Great America continues to monitor the ever-changing conditions surrounding the pandemic and is actively working with health experts and government officials to maintain the highest safety standards for guests and associates. Guests are encouraged to visit cagreatamerica.com for the latest updates on requirements, policies and safety protocols for the 2021 season, as these guidelines may be revised prior to opening day.

As a reminder, all 2020 Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pre-K Season Passes will be honored during the 2021 season, including 2020 Season Pass add-on products. All 2020 park admission tickets are valid through Sept. 6, 2021.

SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT

Opportunities are available, and our new hiring process helps applicants apply and interview virtually. More details can be found at cagreatamerica.com/jobs.

Additional park news and fall operating dates will be shared in the upcoming months.

https://www.cagreatamerica.com/park-update

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services

JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more information: www.EMIsportsCentral.com

CA Great America to stay closed for rest of year

Official says people with season passes can use them in 2021

2020.08.05 – California’s Great America has finally made official what most local roller coaster fans and thrill-ride enthusiasts have long expected: The popular Santa Clara theme park will remain shuttered for the rest of the year.

“Today, California’s Great America announced that it would remain closed for the rest of 2020 due to the ongoing challenges related to the coronavirus (COV ID – 19) pandemic,” Manny Gonzalez , the park’s vice president and general manager, posted on cagreatamerica.com. “ The safety of our guests and associates is always our top priority. Although we have done our due diligence in developing a comprehensive safety plan in accordance with industry and public health standards, the continued uncertainty in our region surrounding COVID-19 as well as the diminishing number of calendar days left in the 2020 operating season, has brought us to the difficult decision to keep the park closed for the rest of the year.”

So that means no Gold Striker, no Halloween Haunt and no funnel cake for Great America’s legions of fans. But those who bought season passes will be able to use them next year as well.

“As you know, we previously extended 2020 Season Passes and add-on products to be valid through 2021,” Gonzalez explains in the post. “ To further show our commitment and appreciation, all 2020 Season pass holders will now also receive a Pass Perks Loyalty Reward valid for purchases within the park next season. Day tickets sold for the 2020 season will be valid through September 6, 2021. Finally, any Pre-K Passes that were registered or activated in 2020 will be valid through 2021. Affected guests will be receiving an email with relevant details.”

RELATED: Learn from Jason Soyster (Director of Marketing and sales) and Mike Maney all the great activities and attractions at California’s Great America.

And for those who want to get ahead start on planning for next year, Gonzalez points out that 2021 season passes will be available to purchase beginning on Sept. 8.

“As we look ahead, our team will continue to work with public health authorities to ensure that our guests and associates can return to fun in a safe environment.”

The closure will mean that families will have to wait another year to experience South Bay Shores, the greatly expanded water park area that takes the spot — and then some — of longtime favorite Boomerang Bay.

South Bay Shores, which was set to open this summer, features “seven new water attractions, new food and shopping locations, premium cabanas and a family- friendly lagoon play area with eight kid- sized water slides — all richly themed to reflect the excitement and fun of the Northern California coast and South Bay regions,” according to Gonzalez.

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services

JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more information: www.EMIsportsCentral.com

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California’s Great America 2020 Season

California’s Great America announces new festivals, events

Spring Fiesta will celebrate Latino culture; Monster Jam is coming to Thunder Alley

SANTA CLARA, CA – California’s Great America this week announced three new festivals/events at the Santa Clara theme park in 2020. Here’s a look.

Spring Fiesta

Celebrate Latino culture and enjoy food, live music and entertainment during this celebration running three consecutive weekends starting in late April. Each weekend will present a different focus. The first weekend (April 25-26) is is dubbed Día del Niño and offers kid-friendly crafts, games and activities.

Next up is the Cinco de Mayo weekend (May 2-3), which includes traditional, folkloric dance and other entertainment/activities.

Spring Fiesta concludes with the Latin Music Festival (May 9-10), which showcases a number of Bay Area performers.

Monster Jam Thunder Alley

Like monster trucks? The Monster Jam event brings those impressive vehicles into Great America on June 20-July 12.

It’s your chance to get “nose to grille” and then sit inside those high rollers. And yes, there’s even a chance to take a ride in a Monster Jam truck.

Also, there are meet-andgreets with drivers as well as a themed kids play area.

Carnivale at Orleans Place

Here’s your chance to experience plenty of New Orleans charm without ever leaving the Bay Area.

Carnivale, July 18-Aug. 2, serves up a big helping of Fat City-friendly food and fun.

The nighttime festival “marries the best of Great America’s fan-favorite Taste of Orleans event with the excitement and vibrancy of Mardi Gras,” according to a new release.

One of the highlights of Carnivale is the the Spectacle of Color full-scale parade, featuring decorated floats, talented performers and more.

South Bay Shores

Great America also plans to open its brandnew waterpark with seven new water attractions, South Bay Shores, in May. The park will include four drop slides, two tube slides and a kid-friendly lagoon area and feature private cabanas with fans, TVs, and food and beverage service.

Event Website : https://www.cagreatamerica.com

Additional Information

California’s Great America 2020 Season – Please check the California’s Great America website for operational dates and hours. The season runs March 21 through October 27, 2020.

Additional fees may apply. For events with a discounted price, no coupon or promo code is necessary to purchase tickets.

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services

JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more information: www.EMIsportsCentral.com

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California’s Great America 2019 Season

RailBlazer, Great America’s groundbreaking single-rail steel coaster

SANTA CLARA, CA – Enjoy an action-packed day at Northern California’s premier amusement park, California’s Great America.

This spring, thrill seekers can blaze a new path on RailBlazer, Great America’s groundbreaking single-rail steel coaster. The first of its kind on the West Coast, RailBlazer sends riders on an “off-road” trip over rocky peaks and twisted valleys. With an initial 90-degree drop of over 100 feet, RailBlazer dares riders to challenge 1,800 feet of track and three inversions — including a zero-gravity roll.

If that wasn’t enough, jump on Patriot, Great America’s first floorless roller coaster, or take a spin on Gold Striker, the tallest wooden coaster in the Northwest. Great America’s family rides include the wet and wild Rip Roaring Rapids and Whitewater Falls, and a 4D journey through space featuring characters from EA’s Mass Effect video games.

Little ones will delight in meeting the PEANUTS gang as they visit the Planet Snoopy kids area. When you need a breather, take in some live entertainment happening throughout the park. Then in summer, bring your bathing suit for some fun at Boomerang Bay, a water park with a wave pool, lazy river and thrilling slides — all included in admission.

Event Website : https://www.cagreatamerica.com

Additional Information

Please check the California’s Great America website for operational dates and hours. The season runs March 23 through October 27, 2019.

Additional fees may apply. For events with a discounted price, no coupon or promo code is necessary to purchase tickets.

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services

JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more information: www.EMIsportsCentral.com

WinterFest Will Return November 2019

WinterFest at CA Great America: Snow, Shows & Holiday Cheer

WinterFest at California’s Great America: WinterFest Will Return November 2019

2018.12.31 – WinterFest, the Bay Area’s most immersive holiday tradition, brings holiday cheer to California’s Great America. During WinterFest, Great America is magically transformed into a winter wonderland and holiday festival where guests can skate in front of the iconic Carousel Columbia. Holiday activities include magnificent displays of lights and décor, viewing spectacular live holiday shows, experiencing more than 60 rides and attractions, seeing Santa’s workshop and Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, and enjoying scrumptious holiday fare at numerous dining locations.

The winter scene and Christmas celebration is dominated by one of the Bay Area’s tallest Christmas trees adorned with thousands of twinkling lights accompanied by giant toy soldiers greeting guests. This amazing event features millions of lights, creating a holiday event for the entire family.

2018.11.21 – WinterFest is coming to California’s Great America in Santa Clara, bringing an ice rink, lights, decorations, live entertainment and acres of holiday fun for the whole family. Bake cookies with Mrs. Claus, frolic in the snowfall at Hometown Square, or watch live shows like Cool Yule Christmas and It’s Christmas, Snoopy, featuring the Peanuts gang. And if you want to celebrate the holidays with some thrills, take a spin on rides like Gold Striker, Flight Deck or more than 25 others. The winter scene and Christmas celebration will be dominated by one of the Bay Area’s tallest Christmas trees adorned with thousands of twinkling lights accompanied by giant toy soldiers greeting guests. This amazing event will feature more than 7 million LED lights, creating a holiday event for the entire family.

Event Website : https://www.cagreatamerica.com/winterfest

Description

California’s Great America transforms into a winter wonderland full of enchantment and holiday cheer during WinterFest. On select evenings in November and December, guests become immersed in the season’s spirit with spectacular holiday lights and décor, world-class live entertainment, luscious treats and fanciful experiences throughout the park. Please check the California’s Great America website for operational dates and times before your visit.

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services

JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more information: www.EMIsportsCentral.com

Halloween Haunt Returns to California’s Great America

Two New Haunted Mazes and One New Scare Zone Bring Fresh Frights in 2018

Halloween Haunt at California’s Great America

2018.09.21 – SANTA CLARA, CA – Halloween Haunt at California’s Great America, the Bay Area’s premier Halloween event, will begin terrifying guests on Sept. 21. Scares take place on select Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through Oct. 28. Tickets are on sale now at www.cagreatamerica.com/haunt.

New for 2018, the Tooth Fairy maze will lead guests on a terrifying journey through the twisted world of a dental fiend in search of loose teeth who drags people from their bedrooms and into a nightmarish dentist’s office. Madame Marie’s Massacre Manor, a perennial guest favorite maze, will be reimagined in 2018 as Madame Marie’s Blackout. The lights have been turned off in Madame Marie’s mansion, and guests are given only a dim flashlight to lead their way through her cursed halls. Also new in 2018 is Ripper’s Revenge scare zone, where guests will encounter a mob of villains who are dead set on taking over old-town London—and running off any guests who stand in their way.

Magician Ed Alonzo (of Saved By The Bell fame) will bring cutting-edge humor with his new show Ed Alonzo, the Second Greatest Showman, and a tantalizing opening ceremony will begin the nightly horrors at Great America’s front gate. The 2018 season will also delight guests with the return of fan favorite live entertainment shows Blood Drums, Nytewalkers and Sideshow.

“This year, Halloween Haunt remains the Bay Area’s leading Halloween experience,” said Sean Lee, entertainment manager at California’s Great America. “With a new maze and scare zone, as well as a new twist on a returning maze, Halloween Haunt will continue to offer intense scares for Great America guests.”

Halloween Haunt is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m.–midnight through Oct. 6 and until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 12–27. On Sundays, Halloween Haunt is open 7 p.m.–midnight, except Sunday, Oct. 21, when Halloween Haunt will be closed for an event at Levi’s Stadium.

For younger kids who want to enjoy Halloween fun without the scares, The Great Pumpkin Fest takes over Great America during daytime hours on weekends Sept. 29–Oct. 28 (closed Oct. 7, 20 and 21). Featuring trick-or-treating with Snoopy and the PEANUTS gang, pumpkin decorating, a hay maze and coloring, this event brings Halloween activities to life for the entire family. Great America will also entertain with “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” movie showings and book readings throughout the day.

Check out the park schedule and ticket prices at www.cagreatamerica.com

Other seasonal entertainment at CA Great America events: Halloween Haunt (Friday-Sunday, Sept. 21-Oct. 28) and WinterFest (select nights Nov. 23-Dec. 28). Halloween Haunt will celebrate its 11^th anniversary, and the highly decorated WinterFest will be back for a Third season of holiday fun beginning November 23.

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services

JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more information: www.EMIsportsCentral.com

RAILBLAZER the STOP and DROP ROLLER COASTER

Get ready for the RailBlazer! The new ride coming to Santa Clara theme park.

California’s Great America celebrated National Roller Coaster Day in a major way on Wednesday, announcing a groundbreaking new steel coaster set to open at the Santa Clara park in spring 2018.

It’s called RailBlazer — and amusement park fans have reportedly never seen anything like it before.

What makes it unusual is that riders sit single-file on the coaster — with no one to the right or left — and basically straddle one rail. This allows for a greater range of quick, abrupt movements than traditional two-track coasters, which usually carry two (or more) passengers per row.

And did we mention the 90-degree drop? That should result in some screams heard around the park.

The coaster — the 15th in the park’s history — is the first of its kind, a “prototype,” says Great America Vice President/General Manager Raul Rehnborg. It’s going to give the park “a whole ’nother” experience for its guests, he says.

The ride stands 100 feet tall and will whisk riders along 1,800 feet of track at speeds of up to 52 miles per hour. Its selling points include a 180-degree stall (watch out for your hats!) and a “zero-gravity roll.” The coaster’s theme is State Route 1 (SR 1), the highway that runs along most of the coast of California.

RailBlazer was introduced during Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony, which was highlighted by a computer-generated video showing what it will be like to ride the coaster. The video was shown from the perspective of someone riding in the front of the coaster, generating big smiles from the crowd — and maybe a gasp or two — when it got around to that 90-foot drop.

Those on hand for the groundbreaking included Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor, representatives of the American Coaster Enthusiasts organization and media members, plus Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and Snoopy (who got to help with the groundbreaking — that lucky beagle).

“We are excited for California’s Great America’s new developments and appreciate (owner/operator) Cedar Fair’s vested interest in our community,” Gillmor said to the assembled crowd.

RailBlazer is the first major step in what is the park’s new development project, endorsed by the city of Santa Clara.

“We are excited that California’s Great America will be able to move forward with their new plan, which includes coasters 2.5 times larger than currently exist, expanded water park, an entertainment district in front of the park to entertain visitors 365 days a year,” Gillmor said.

Gillmor sees what’s happening at the park as having major implications on the economy.

“Visitors to the park and its new entertainment district will fill our hotels and nearby restaurants, generating a surge of transient occupancy tax and sales tax for the city’s general fund,” she said. “Visitors to the area will be able to shop locally and enjoy local entertainment venues to benefit our local and regional economy.”

Check out the park schedule and ticket prices at www.cagreatamerica.com

Other seasonal entertainment at CA Great America events: Fiesta Hispana (Aug. 13), The Great Pumpkin Fest (weekends Sept. 30-Oct. 29), Halloween Haunt (Friday-Sunday, Sept. 22-Oct. 29) and WinterFest (select nights Nov. 24-Dec. 29). Halloween Haunt will celebrate its 10^th anniversary, and the highly decorated WinterFest will be back for a second season of holiday fun beginning November 24.

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services

JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more information: www.EMIsportsCentral.com

California’s Great America Introduces Red, White & Brews

The Hometown Celebration of Americana Food and Fun is May 27-29 & June 3-4.

SANTA CLARA, CA – California’s Great America will add to its incredible lineup of live entertainment and festivals with Red, White & Brews, a hometown celebration of Americana food and fun taking place May 27-29 and June 3-4. Red, White & Brews will bring the Hometown Square area of the park to life with locally sourced food experiences, more than 25 regional craft brews, Northern California wines, Bay Area bands, outdoor games and kids’ entertainment.

Tasting cards will be available for just $25 per person (6 selections per card) to sample savory items that include jumbo smoked chicken drumsticks, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, skewered bacon wrapped chicken hearts, corn ears roasted in chili powder and lime juice, and tombstone sliders with shaved brisket. There will also be a delicious dessert choice between an innovative apple pie, bacon and cheddar parfait or a traditional strawberry shortcake with the tasting card.

Craft beer and wine tasting cards, $25 per person for six, six-ounce samples, will feature renowned and niche microbreweries from throughout Northern California, including Gordon Biersch, Sierra Nevada, Anchor, Stone, Mendocino, Hanger 24, Lagunitas, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers and many others. Wine pouring options will include William Hill, Flora Springs, J. Lohr, White Oak, Concannon and more.

Unique food items for sale individually in the Hometown Square area are: a brisket mac and cheese conewich with crispy brisket tips, crispy onions and BBQ sauce; red, white & blue funnel cakes topped with strawberries, vanilla ice cream and blueberries; tantalizing bourbon peaches and cream with cinnamon cream and candied walnuts; cinnamon dessert nachos, which are fried tortillas paired with vanilla ice cream and chocolate and caramel syrup.

For an additional fee, the San Jose Beer Bike will tour guests through the park each day, providing up to 10 friends the opportunity to view Great America while sipping and cycling (with a designated cyclist at the wheel). Hometown Square entertainment will feature oversized board and carnival games, free balloons for kids, giant Adirondack chairs for lounging and photo opportunities, and more.

“Red, White & Brews will create a vibrant, dynamic atmosphere inside the park and showcase the region’s incredible food and drink possibilities,” said California’s Great America Vice President & General Manager Raul Rehnborg. “Red, White & Brews joins Taste of Orleans and Fiesta Hispana as wonderful reasons to visit the park multiple times each year”.

California’s Great America Vice President & General Manager Raul Rehnborg.

An outdoor stage will be constructed in front of the Great America Theater where four local bands will perform rock, country and bluegrass music throughout the day. Adding to the live entertainment, dueling pianos will be positioned in the gazebo, intensifying the outdoor atmosphere.

The entire festival will take place under the thrills of Patriot, the park’s new floorless roller coaster experience featuring a nine-story drop where riders’ feet dangle inches above the track.

Red, White & Brews is free with park admission.

CEDAR FAIR

California’s Great America is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to Great America, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, two water parks, one-indoor water park, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California under a management contract.

Check out the park schedule and ticket prices at www.cagreatamerica.com

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services

JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more information: www.EMIsportsCentral.com

California’s Great America opens its 2017 Season –

CA Great America and the “Patriot” — the first floor-less coaster in the park’s history

SANTA CLARA, CA – California’s Great America opens its 2017 season on March 25 and will introduce an array of new attractions, entertainment and dining experiences.

Given that I don’t like the sensation when an airplane is taking-off and I’m sitting in the plane with my feet firmly planted on the floor, now you add flying in a floor-less plane…I don’t think so!

But, here it is the “Patriot” — the first floor-less coaster in the park’s history, will make its official park debut on Saturday, April 1, just a week into the park’s 41st season.

Imagine, your legs dangling up nine stories height and then plummeting into a 360-degree loop and a series of hairpin turns at 45 mph. I expect thrill seekers to line up for Patriot, just as they have for Gold Striker, the Grizzly, the Demon and other coasters. By the way, Patriot replaces the Vortex, the popular stand-up coaster that had been at the park since 1991.

Also, I remember Top Gun or Flight Deck considered an inverted coaster with the track running along the top and your feet fly free. For “floor-less” rides like Patriot, the track is on the bottom, but the cars don’t have flooring so your feet fly free.

Another new feature the park is introducing is a high-flying acrobat show called “Vertical Impact” and a renovation and name change for Maggie Brown’s Smokehouse & Fried Chicken, which has added smoked tri-tip, pulled pork and ribs to its menu.

And with the addition of Patriot, the Santa Clara theme park is honoring real-life patriots. To celebrate Patriot, all current and past military service members will be provided free admission from March 25-May 29 (with valid ID) through Memorial Day, along with special $30 tickets for up to 6 guests (available at the Front Gate). Check out the park schedule and ticket prices at www.cagreatamerica.com

The Great Pumpkin Fest

Other seasonal entertainment events include Opening Day (March 25), Fiesta Hispana (Aug. 13), The Great Pumpkin Fest (weekends Sept. 30-Oct. 29), Halloween Haunt (Friday-Sunday, Sept. 22-Oct. 29) and WinterFest (select nights Nov. 24-Dec. 29).

The decorated Winter-Fest

Halloween Haunt will celebrate its 10^th anniversary, and the highly decorated WinterFest will be back for a second season of holiday fun beginning November 24.

Read more at: CA Great America Media Services