KNOTT’S SCARY FARM ANNOUNCES RETURNING SCARE ZONES MORE SPINE-TINGLING NEWS WILL BE UNVEILED AT MIDSUMMER SCREAM AND SCARELA

Ghost Town, Fiesta De Los Muertos and CarnEVIL Scare Zones Return

The largest and most haunting Halloween experience in Southern California, Knott’s Scary Farm, announced its 2016 returning scare zones, Ghost Town Streets, Fiesta De Los Muertos and CarnEVIL.

Announcement Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebIPujCEdBE

Ghost Town Streets is the original, largest, and most terrifying scare zone at the park which started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog. In Fiesta Village, Fiesta De Los Muertos fuses dance music, colorful costumes and larger than life stilt walkers in a dance party scare zone. On the Boardwalk, clowns crave undying attention in the CarnEVIL scare zone.

More hair-raising news will be unveiled for Scary Farm’s 44th season at Midsummer Scream and ScareLA. The world-renowned event features mazes, sinister shows and spectacular interactive experiences. Both events will host exclusive panels featuring the Scary Farm creators and designers.

Members of the Scary Farm creative team will be featured during Scary Farm
panels at both Midsummer Scream and ScareLA:

The Midsummer Scream presentation will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2016 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. PST in the Grand Ballroom

The ScareLA presentation will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. PST at the Main Stage

Mid-Summer Scream: Long Beach Convention Center
300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

ScareLA: Pasadena Convention Center
300 E. Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101

For more information on both events please visit:

http://www.midsummerscream.org

http://www.2016.scarela.com

HALL OF SHADOWS TO FEATURE FULL SCARE ZONE, ROAMING MONSTERS AND 9 HAUNTED ATTRACTION PREVIEWS AT MIDSUMMER SCREAM

Thrills and Chills Await Those Brave Enough to Venture into “Dark Zone” on Show Floor at Long Beach Convention Center

One of the most exciting and unique components of Midsummer Scream – California’s premier Halloween, haunt and horror festival – will be its Hall of Shadows dark zone, featuring roaming monsters, entertainment, and 9 terrifying mini haunted attraction experiences.

Hall of Shadows will occupy more than one third of the Halloween festival’s 90,000 square-foot show floor this year, giving thousands of fans the opportunity to preview home and professional haunts each day, included with their admission to Midsummer Scream. In addition to the haunted attractions, those brave enough to venture into Hall of Shadows will experience a full-blown scare zone, Toxicity, high-energy performances by the Decayed Brigade slider team three times each day, and many terrifying monsters lurking in the fog, waiting to pounce!

 

FULL SCARE ZONE

Created by Larry Bones and his crew at Bone Yard Effects, Toxicity is an immersive experience set within the walls of a genetics lab that has suffered a toxic explosion that will leave guests screaming as they are attacked by twisted, mutated scientists from all sides. Bone Yard Effects creates the makeup applications and prosthetics each year for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.

 

THRILLING SLIDER SHOWS

Three times daily, the Decayed Brigade will perform and entertain guests within the Hall of Shadows as they showcase the art of sliding – a scare tactic that was created some 40 years ago by monsters roaming the streets of Ghost Town at Knott’s Scary Farm. These men and women push their bodies and the laws of gravity to the limit in high-energy demonstrations that leave fans cheering and astounded.

 

TERRIFYING HAUNTED ATTRACTION PREVIEW EXPERIENCES

Midsummer Scream is excited to present 9 stand-alone mini haunt experiences that allow fans to preview things to come this Halloween season. From home to pro haunts, guests may sample the handiwork of some of Southern California’s hottest haunted attractions throughout the weekend at no extra cost with paid admission to the festival.

Featured at Midsummer Scream 2016 are:

Fear Station: Escape the Windigo – The harvest moon has awoken the Windigo from its slumber, and the creature is hungry for blood. No one is safe from the beast as it hunts its prey in the darkness. Will you escape the season of the Windigo?

Dead Zone 805 – Fight for survival as you enter the zombie-filled post-apocalyptic world where infection and violent gangs threaten you every step of the way!

Savage House – Every family has a secret… Enter the home of the Wytner clan, a family that has lived in the rural countryside, kidnapping tourists passing by for years. Witness the atrocities as they taunt and torture the unsuspecting victims that have ended up in their home.Savage House Tease

Perdition Home – Houston, we have a problem! The notion that in outer space, no one can hear you scream simply isn’t true. Venturing into the depths of an ill-fated spacecraft, everyone will hear you cry for mercy when you face the horrors within.

The Fleshyard – Not every home is safe. Madness lingers beyond the threshold of a decrepit old cabin, concealing evil so vile that those who manage to escape will never be the same. The Fleshyard is a bad place. A very, very bad place…Fleshyard Sketch

Higgins Manor – You’ve wandered into the most feared place in the Old West: the Higgins & Co. Work Camp. Can you survive the rowdiest, most dangerousest, most horriblest clan of townsfolk this side of Deadwood? Why don’t y’all come take a gander and see fer yerselves?Higgins Manor Concept Art

Spooky Hollows – Follow the trail of a madman through the basin swampland, where he attempted and failed to achieve mortality. Through sick and twisted science experiments, he left a trail of wasted souls in his wake before falling victim to his own worst nightmares.Spooky Hollows 1

Scareventures Presents: Sea of Terror – To date, man has explored less than 5% of Earth’s oceans. Perhaps there’s a reason why… Take a terror trip into the depths where undersea creatures lie in wait as you attempt to escape your watery grave. If dead men tell no tales, then where do the stories come from?Print

Gorlesque: The Haunted Burlesque – Are you “perfect” enough to join the Weltschmerz Society? Come find out and experience a naughty taste of the frights, frills, and frolic that awaits you this Halloween in Los Angeles!Gorlesque Tease

“Hall of Shadows is one aspect of Midsummer Scream that I am most excited about,” said Rick West, Creative Director of Midsummer Scream. “When I think of Halloween, I instantly think of haunted houses; stand-alone attractions as well as home haunts are the very essence of the season. It’s completely thrilling to bring nine very different haunt previews to our guests in an environment that is totally unique to our show. Midsummer Scream’s Hall of Shadows is the closest anyone is going to get to the spirit of Halloween during the summer, and our haunt partners are ready to bring the terror!”

Midsummer Scream features more than 150 vendors and exhibitors, education offerings, make-and-take workshops, world-class panel presentations, live entertainment and incredible experiences throughout the venue, black cat adoptions, and a Saturday night costume party featuring Oingo Boingo Dance Party.

Tickets are now on sale, with new information regarding Midsummer Scream updated frequently at MidsummerScream.org.

 

About Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival

Midsummer Scream is a large-scale summer festival celebrating the spirit of Halloween, haunts and horror, drawing thousands of guests to Southern California for a weekend of thrills and chills. Featuring a massive show floor of vendors and exhibitors, haunted attractions and experiences, live entertainment and world-class panel presentations, Midsummer Scream is the West Coast’s premier Halloween/horror event, offering something for fans of all ages. More information can be found at MidsummerScream.org.

OINGO BOINGO DANCE PARTY ANNOUNCED AS HEADLINER FOR MIDSUMMER SCREAM’S NOCHE DE LOS MUERTOS BASH!

Johnny Vatos, Steve Bartek, John Avila and Other Original Members of Oingo Boingo Set to Rock Long Beach Convention Center During Nighttime Party on Saturday, July 30th, 2016

LOS ANGELES, May 11, 2016 – Let’s have a party, there’s a full moon in the sky! Midsummer Scream is thrilled to announce Oingo Boingo Dance Party will headline its Noche de los Muertos (Night of the Dead) celebration and costume contest at the Long Beach Convention Center Saturday evening July 30th, 2016.
Oingo Boingo Dance Party is comprised of former Oingo Boingo members Johnny Vatos, Steve Bartek, John Avila, Sam “Sluggo” Phipps, Carl Graves and Doug Lacy, along with a host of other wildly-talented musicians that keep the legacy of the iconic band alive and thriving for fans of multiple generations.
Known for their unique sound which includes explosive percussion, electrifying guitar riffs and a full horns section, Oingo Boingo’s extensive song catalogue includes Only a Lad, Little Girls, Weird Science, No One Lives Forever, and the venerable Dead Man’s Party. The band hosted Halloween shows in Irvine each year at the height of its popularity, with thousands of “Tender Lumplings” – the given nickname for their adoring fans – showing up in costumes and skeletal makeup, as the underlying thematic style of the group commonly centered around Dia de los Muertos.
“Oingo Boingo was synonymous with Halloween here in Southern California in the ‘80s and ‘90s,” said Rick West, Creative Director of Midsummer Scream. “What better way to launch our event than a concert featuring these legendary performers doing what they do best as Oingo Boingo Dance Party? To me, bringing these musicians and the haunt and horror community together under one roof is a no-brainer. They’re going to bring the house down!”
Oingo Boingo Dance Party will headline Midsummer Scream’s 21+ nighttime event, Noche de los Muertos, featuring a Best & Worst of the ‘80s Costume Contest, which will be judged by the band members themselves during the middle of their 90-minute concert performance. Midsummer Scream attendees are encouraged to dress up in their best – or worst – ‘80s Halloween costumes and strut their stuff across the stage as Johnny Vatos, Steve Bartek, John Avila, Sluggo and the gang cast final judgment!
For the ultimate Boingo fans in attendance, a limited amount of “Tender Lumpling Experience” passes are now available for purchase, which offers admission to the Noche de los Muertos party, as well as a personal meet-and-greet opportunity with the band that includes photos and autograph signing prior to the concert.
“Having Oingo Boingo Dance Party as part of our event was something the team wanted to do from the get-go,” said Gary Baker, Executive Producer of Midsummer Scream. “Very quickly, Johnny Vatos and the band were interested, which set everything in motion. We’re going to put on a show that no one will soon forget.”
Face-painters will be on hand to transform guests into fearsome skeletons or sweet sugar skulls if they’d like before and during the party for a small price – perhaps a golden coin, or a shiny silver dollar on either eye.
Tickets for Noche de los Muertos featuring Oingo Boingo Dance Party are now on sale at http://www.MidsummerScream.org, and will be sold throughout the day Saturday July 30th including at the door. Tender Lumpling Experience passes will sell out extremely fast – there is a frightfully limited supply!
Midsummer Scream is California’s premier Halloween, haunt and horror festival featuring more than 100,000 square feet of artisan vendors, live entertainment, specialty workshops, makeup demonstrations, a multipurpose theater, haunted attraction previews and experiences, Hall of Shadows darkened scare zone and more.
One of the biggest draws to Midsummer Scream are its world-class theme park panel presentations throughout the weekend. They include Knott’s Scary Farm (Sunday July 31st), Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor (Saturday July 30th), Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest (Sunday July 31st), Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights and Walt Disney Imagineering (Saturday July 30th).
Tickets are now on sale, with new information regarding Midsummer Scream is being updated frequently at MidsummerScream.org.
Fans may sign up on the site for email notifications and announcements, including discounts and other special offers. Be sure to follow Midsummer Scream on social media as well – Twitter/Periscope: @MidsummerScream, Instagram: @MidsummerScream, and Facebook: facebook.com/midsummerscream.

About Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival
Midsummer Scream is a large-scale summer festival celebrating the spirit of Halloween, haunts and horror, drawing thousands of guests to Southern California for a weekend of thrills and chills. Featuring a massive show floor of vendors and exhibitors, haunted attractions and experiences, live entertainment and world-class panel presentations, Midsummer Scream is the West Coast’s premier Halloween/horror event, offering something for fans of all ages. More information can be found at MidsummerScream.org.

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Knott’s Scary Farm is coming to Midsummer Scream!

RLE Presentation 2x

KNOTT’S BERRY FARM JOINS UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD, QUEEN MARY, SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN AND WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING AT MIDSUMMER SCREAM

Biggest Names in Themed Entertainment Secured for Halloween, Haunt and Horror Event This Summer in Long Beach

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Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival proudly announces that it has secured the biggest names and brands in themed entertainment as partnering content providers for its debut event to be held July 30 – 31 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Midsummer Scream is California’s premier Halloween, haunt and horror festival featuring more than 100,000 square feet of artisan vendors, live entertainment, specialty workshops, makeup demonstrations, a screening room, haunted attraction previews and experiences, a darkened scare zone and more.

Fans of all ages will be thrilled and captivated this summer by world-class panel presentations by the leaders in themed entertainment as they wow Midsummer Scream audiences with 2016 maze reveals, special guests and heart-stopping surprises throughout the final weekend in July at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Knott’s Berry Farm is the most recent major attraction to join Midsummer Scream’s world-class lineup, rounding-out the bulk of Southern California’s theme park/major Halloween events that draw millions to Los Angeles and Orange County each autumn.

“With the addition of Knott’s Scary Farm to our incomparable participant list, Midsummer Scream is poised and ready to deliver the most substantial experience to our guests that any of us have ever been a part of,” said Rick West, Creative Director of Midsummer Scream.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights has also been announced as part of Midsummer Scream, which will feature a presentation by none other than John Murdy and Chris Williams, the guiding force behind HHN in Los Angeles.

Six Flags Magic Mountain will also be on tap this summer, providing fans an amazing preview of things – and screams – to come this Halloween at Fright Fest.

Queen Mary promises a major new maze reveal, along with the terrifying new character that it’s based on, giving Midsummer Scream fans an up-close and exclusive look at the horrors coming in with the tide this fall at Dark Harbor.

Walt Disney Imagineering will give fans an intimate look at The Art of Illusioneering, which features a historical retrospective of creating special effects and illusions for its classic attractions including the Haunted Mansion, as well as how that tradition has continued today, and where it’s going tomorrow.

“Having the biggest names in themed entertainment join us for our inaugural year is really satisfying,” said Johanna Atilano, Producer of Midsummer Scream. “Their inclusion and wanting to participate in this event signifies their dedication and role in Southern California’s Halloween and horror community, and to their fan base, directly.”

Additional details and information regarding the individual presentations by these companies will be released in the weeks to come.

Tickets are now on sale, and new information regarding Midsummer Scream is being updated frequently at MidsummerScream.org.

Fans may sign up on the site for email notifications and announcements, including discounts and other special offers.  Be sure to follow Midsummer Scream on social media as well – Twitter/Periscope: @MidsummerScream, Instagram: @MidsummerScream, and Facebook: facebook.com/midsummerscream.

RLE Presentation 2x

About Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival

Midsummer Scream is a large-scale summer festival celebrating the spirit of Halloween, haunts and horror, drawing thousands of guests to Southern California for a weekend of thrills and chills. Featuring a massive show floor of vendors and exhibitors, haunted attractions and experiences, live entertainment and world-class panel presentations, Midsummer Scream is the West Coast’s premier Halloween/horror event, offering something for fans of all ages. More information can be found at MidsummerScream.org.

ScareLA Announces 2016 Convention Dates

The Hit Summer Halloween, Horror and Haunt Convention Launches Ticket Pre-sale; Unveils 2016 Event Theme

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ScareLA, the Southern California Halloween convention, is excited to announce the dates of its 2016 event today. ScareLA 2016 is set to take place at the Pasadena Convention Center on August 6 and 7, 2016. An expanded showroom space of over 100,000 sq. ft. will accommodate the con’s growing list of vendors, attractions, and entertainment.

The 2016 convention theme, “Season of the Witch,” and tagline, “Cast a Dark Spell on the Summer,” are dedicated to celebrating all things spooky, scary and unusual in SoCal and beyond; featuring a playful themed logo by artist Mary J. Hoffman (aka BoogerVampire).

“ScareLA is proud to be the summer sneak peek of the West Coast Halloween season,” said Lora Ivanova, ScareLA Founder and Executive Producer. “We not only showcase the top horror content creators in the area but also pioneer new interactive and immersive experiences unlike anything patrons can experience at a typical fan or comic-book convention. We have many exciting surprises in store for 2016 and plan on unleashing our darkest magic on Los Angeles this August!”

The ScareLA convention features original Halloween entertainment and programming. This year attendees can enjoy: an expanded showfloor in two halls featuring over 200 curated vendors, artists and exhibits; presentations and exclusive reveals of the area’s top attractions and theme parks; an extensive schedule of classes, workshops, and demos for all ages; children’s programming; mini haunt experiences, screening room, interactive exhibits, games, cosplay, costume party and more.

Debuting in 2013, ScareLA was created to celebrate the diverse Halloween industry and community of the West Coast – from its iconic seasonal theme park events to home haunts. The event has become a mecca for horror fans and families in Los Angeles and beyond, extending the Halloween season through the summer. Attracting close to 10,000 guests in 2015, ScareLA is one of the fastest growing independent conventions in the U.S. to-date.

ScareLA’s ticket pre-sale launches this week with aggressive discounts up to 50% off for loyal fans and past attendees. To buy tickets or learn more about ScareLA’s 2016 plans, visit the ScareLA website at http://www.scarela.com.

 

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Announced today! Elvira will be the official host of SCARELA 2016

About ScareLA
Founded in 2013, ScareLA is the Southern California convention dedicated to all things Halloween. Situated in the entertainment capital of the world, the event celebrates the American scare season traditions and the diverse cultural heritage of the Greater Los Angeles region. Featuring hundreds of specialty vendors, extensive education programming, world-class industry panels and presentations, ScareLA draws over 10,000 professionals, fans and families from the U.S. and abroad to celebrate Halloween early every summer. The large-scale summer festival is one of the fastest growing independent fan conventions in the U.S. addressing a $10 billion Halloween industry worldwide.For more information, visit isit http://www.scarela.com.

MIDSUMMER SCREAM HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL TO DEBUT JULY 30 – 31 AT LONG BEACH CONVENTION CENTER

Interactive Horror Show to Celebrate All Things Macabre with Haunted Attractions, World-Class Panel Presentations, Makeup Demonstrations, Specialty Vendors, and Live Entertainment

RLE Presentation 2xLOS ANGELES, April 4, 2016 — From the creative minds of CreepyLA and Theme Park Adventure, comes an all-new chapter in terror: Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival. This weekend-long celebration of everything Halloween, haunts and horror makes its debut July 30-31 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California.

Midsummer Scream features more than 100,000 square feet of event space that will showcase vendors, makeup demonstrations, stage presentations, live entertainment, a screening room, haunted attraction experiences and more.

“We’re combining all of our talents, production knowledge, and years of experience to create an amazing show that we know fans are going to love,” said David Markland, Executive Director of Midsummer Scream. “Each week from now until our July debut, we will be announcing more participants and unveiling different aspects of the show that are going to have people counting down the days with great anticipation.”

Already confirmed for Midsummer Scream include Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Ten Thirty One Productions (Los Angeles Haunted Hayride/Great Horror Campout), Dread Central, Sinister Pointe, Ghost Train (LA Live Steamers), Scott Ramp/The Scream Team, SoCal Valley Haunters, Drunken Devil, Decayed Brigade slider team, Motel 6 Feet Under, Season Pass Podcast, Spooky Hollows, Rotten Apple 907, Fear Station, Figment Foundry, magic of Jimmy H./Mudd the Magnificent, Screenshot Productions, The Empty Grave, Cross Roads Escape Games, Higgins Manor, Dark House Entertainment (The Basement), Girls and Corpses, Evil Twin Studios, and Garner Holt Productions. Our list of partners grows each day, and will be updated on the Midsummer Scream website regularly, as well as announced via social media.

A highlight of Midsummer Scream will be its main stage auditorium, which will accommodate more than 600 horror fans gathering to witness a world-class lineup of panels and presentations, which will include exciting reveals looking forward to the 2016 Halloween season in Southern California.

Guests looking for additional thrills and chills may venture into the Hall of Shadows, a large “scare zone”, with monsters lurking in the dark, and a host of haunted attraction previews/experiences that will soothe your Halloween cravings. Bone Yard Effects, Inc. led by Larry Bones will bring terrifying creatures to life throughout the day via makeup demonstrations on the show floor, and release them into the Hall of Shadows to wreak havoc on terrified fans.

“We are beyond thrilled to bring the Halloween and horror community together here in Southern California,” said Rick West, Creative Director of Midsummer Scream. “The entire team is fueled by the same fundamental passion for the holiday and the macabre; we met and became friends while covering various haunt events and have enjoyed strong personal and business relationships for the past several years as a direct result. Midsummer Scream is the festival this community deserves, and we cannot wait to unveil everything we’ve got planned.”

Tickets go on sale soon, and new information regarding Midsummer Scream is being updated daily at MidsummerScream.org. Fans may sign up on the site for email notifications and announcements, including discounts and other special offers.  Be sure to follow Midsummer Scream on social media as well – Twitter/Periscope: @MidsummerScream, Instagram: @MidsummerScream, and Facebook: facebook.com/midsummerscream.

Former producers of ScareLA, Midsummer Scream’s creators are David Markland, Executive Director; Gary Baker, Executive Producer; Rick West, Creative Director; Johanna Atilano, Producer; and Claire Dunlap, Associate Producer.

About Midsummer Scream Halloween Festival

Midsummer Scream is a large-scale summer festival celebrating the spirit of Halloween and horror, drawing thousands of guests to Southern California for a weekend of thrills and chills. Featuring a massive show floor of vendors and exhibitors, haunted attractions and experiences, live entertainment and world-class panel presentations, Midsummer Scream is the West Coast’s premier Halloween/horror event, offering something for fans of all ages. More information can be found at MidsummerScream.org.

 

Boysenberry Festival Food Tasting!

On Wednesday night we were invited to a tasting event for this season’s Boysenberry Festival Food! Lots of yummy stuff, we didn’t really eat much so our taste buds could taste the yumminess of the Boysenberry Festival!

 

 

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Boysenberry BBQ Chicken Sandwich=

Grilled BBQ w/Coleslaw

More Healthy,Lunch Option

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Boysenberry BBQ Short Ribs=

Chewy Sweet/Savory Served with Rice and a side of Sauce (Boysenberry)

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Alligator Bites with Boysenberry Aioli Sauce=

Don’t fear! Tastes just like chicken !

Soft fun,exotic, something you can only get at Knott’s Boysenberry Festival!

Aioli sauce is like a sweet Boysenberry Mayo!

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Fun Stick! = A Funbun on a stick but instead of Cinnobun its a warm boysenberry Cheasecake soon good!!!!

 

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Boysenberry BBQ Meatballs!

Meatballs with Boysenberry BBQ Sauce that is Sweet & Tangy and juicy meat so yummy we love them can’t get enough!

Served 3 on stick!

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Pulled Pork Sandwich with Boysenberry BBQ sauce!

Sweet and tanginess that I loved it! served on Boysenberry bread!

 

Just a taste for now we have loads to cover this opening day of the festival so check back for more post!

Thank you for reading and please share 🙂

Knott’s Network

Tim&Mary 😉

 

 

Ghost Town 75th Update!

Knott’s Berry Farm Announces Opening Dates for Ghost Town’s 75thAnniversary, GhostRider, Ghost Town Alive!, and Starbucks!

Knott’s Berry Farm announced today that its celebration of the 75thanniversary of the historic old west Ghost Townwill run May 27 through September 5. To mark 75 years of Ghost Town, Knott’s will reopen GhostRider, the longest, tallest, and fastest wooden roller coaster on the West Coast on May 27 following a complete restoration. As part of the summer 2016 celebration, Knott’s will alsointroduce a new interactive entertainment experience called Ghost Town Alive!. Ghost Town Alive!allows guests to play an active role in shaping what happens throughout the town everyday through September 5.Knott’s also announced that its first Starbucks will open on March 18in the California MarketPlace, just outside the Park’s main entrance, and will offer Starbuck’s world class coffee drinks and entrees.Adjacent to Starbucks is Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, which is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation and will open in spring 2016.

This morning we had a chance to check out what they have been up to, and a few insights on “Ghost Town Alive” as well as a look at Chicken Dinner Restaurant.

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Jason talks about the opening dates:

Ghostrider and “Ghost Town Alive” – May 27th

Starbucks – March 18th

Calico Saloon – Boysenberry Festival

Chicken Dinner Restaurant – Spring Time

Calico Stage with new summer show – Summer Time

 

Afterward we got to tour a few areas they have been working on.

IMG_0559Our first guide was Lara Hannerman, (Creative Director), she guided us through Ghost Town main street to tell us about “Ghost Town Alive.” First stop was Wagon Camp Theater, an all new stage is being built with updated safety for the performers and a new show is coming, no details on that… don’t want to spoil everything 😉 All those classic peek-ins will have real life characters, some of them you will even be able to go inside! The Shootin Gallery will be redone and themed, I have a feeling it’s going to look like the old one but a little smaller! Miss Doolittles will turn into a Textiles store, Miss Goldies you will be able to go inside and see who rules the town this summer! The Toy Barn will have real life Horses inside, and at the post office you will be able to send out real mail! Ghost Town really is going to be alive this Summer! Making our way to School House Road, The Old Haunt Museum will turn into The City Hall where you can meet the mayor and his wife! The pan for gold will go back to its original location, Turquoise Jewelry will turn into a Bank, they will be relocated to another sight in the park!

Then we got handed off to Jeff Shadic (Manager,Park Deco)

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He showed us inside Calico Saloon, a lot of y’all will be happy with these upgrades.

New sound system, stage lighting, general lighting, A/C, Beer on tap, new furniture and so much more …the details are great, we can’t wait to check it out soon. It will be opening back up Spring time with an all new show!

Then off to the new Calico Stage area! The stage will face towards the water tower at the rail station, to keep that feel that you’re in Ghost Town still.New tech building will go to the left of the calico mine ride (far left) and it will be themed to match the mine ride!

also all the back stage ares are new and modernised for the performers and techs! The left of the backstage area buildings will be themed to match Ghost Town! New show will be coming this summer. The old Calico Stage will turn into a park, seating area, etc, we will see more on that later when they start working on it, not till after spring break!

Also, they are replacing a lot of the roofs around Ghost Town!

Next we meet up with Russ Knibbs, ( Vice President,Food and Beverage) over at Chicken IMG_0601Dinner Restaurant. I love this guy, he’s done some amazing stuff at Knott’s with the food, he came along with park General Manager Ralfi from Canada’s Wonderland! I remember what the food was like before they came and put it this way I went to Del Taco all the time after my knott’s updates.

We are looking forward to the refurbished Mrs Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, they finally created an alternative to having to wait in those long lines, they will get your number and text you when you are ready to be seated, now you can walk around the market place and shop, maybe even go in the park depending how long the wait is. The new outdoor seating area will be a nice place to eat on a summer night! One of the most major upgrades is a full service bar area! The seating capacity is about the same as before, the deco will not be modernized , keeping it to the classic theme! Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant will re-open this Spring!

 

Now off to Jeff Gahagan, (Vice President, Maintenance) to talk about Ghostrider :)))

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As most of us know, they are re-tracking, new trains, as well as re-profiling some of the layout. The midway break run has been removed, so instead of slowing down you will go straight through it. After that mid break course drop the re-profiled that crazy turn right after to make it more smooth but still intense, if you have been on Gold Rusher at Califorina’s Great America you’ll know whats in store. New trains will be from Great Coasters Internatioal, old trains are going to Valleyfair. All kinds of general maintence is being done throughout the coaster, new motors for the lift hill chain, new lights around the track and much more! Ghostrider will re-open May 27th along with the rest of Ghost Town 75th anniversary!

That ended the tour there, after that we visited the park to see what other updates we could spot!

 

 

Our next report will be on the food at this coming Boysenberry Festival!

Thank you for reading be sure to share

Knott’s Network!

Tim & Mary 😉

 

KNOTT’S BOYSENBERRY FESTIVAL IS COMING!

KNOTT’S BOYSENBERRY FESTIVAL INVITES GUESTSTO ADOWN HOME FOOD FEST THIS SPRINGThe Celebration Will Feature Over 70 Boysenberry Inspired Dishes, Drinks and More, PlusLive Entertainment For All Ages, March 19 –April 3

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Celebrate Knott’s historic berry during Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, March 19 –April 3, in Ghost Town,the heart of the theme park. The 16-day food festival features over 70, one-of-a-kind boysenberry inspired fare, drinks and more, the Wine and Craft Brew Tasting Garden,plus live entertainment and fun the whole family will love! From sun up to sun down, the festival features dueling fiddlers, PEANUTSParty in the Park, vinedancing, live music, Jammin’ in the Dark(a nighttime dance party).

Festivalgoers can also shop for the perfect handmade gift at dozens of craft vendors located in Ghost Town.The limited-time festival is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm. In the 1930s Walter Knott harvested the boysenberry, a cross between a loganberry, red raspberry and blackberry, and named the new berry after its originator,Rudolph Boysen. Today, all boysenberries in the world can trace their roots back to Knott’s BerryFarm. In 2015, the Park made delicious history with the debut of the Fun Bun during the Boysenberry Festival.

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Returningin 2016, thewidely acclaimed culinary creationis a deep fried cinnamon roll with boysenberry cheese toppingthat willnot disappoint.During the food fest, over 70 unique boysenberry inspired food, drinks and more will be offered, including the delectable Berry Market Boysenberry BBQsauce which adds the perfect flavor to ribs, BBQ chicken, chicken wings, and more. Other must try itemsincludecrispy deep fried alligator bites that are paired with farm-made zesty boysenberry aioli, deep fried boysenberry ice cream, finger-lickin boysenberry BBQ wings and many more delicious treats. Additional fee for tastings.

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Guests who want to take home the exquisite Boysenberry BBQ sauce, Boysenberry Butter, Boysenberry Mustard and more, can do so by stopping bythe Berry Marketlocated in the MarketPlace and General Storelocatedin Ghost Town. Select items are available on the online Berry Market store.In honor of the famous berry, guests can wine, dine, dance, and buy boysenberry inspired products throughout the winding streets of the Old West.

Festival entrances will feature rustic banners and oversized boysenberries, just ripe for taking that special photo.Walter & Cordelia Knott’s Original Roadside Boysenberry Stand will be recreated for the special event, from which guests can purchase authentic boysenberry plants.unspecified-8

The Knott family sold freshly picked boysenberries from the original stand, and the rest, as they say, is history!As part of the festival, the Wine and Craft Brew Tasting Garden, located inside of Ghost Town’s Wilderness Dance Hall, will featureboysenberry wine, beer and cider, plus an assortment of wine and craft brew labels, in addition to a variety of gourmetfood that’s just bursting with flavor. Just outside of the Dance Hall, towering sculpted topiaries provide shade during warm spring days and twinkle brighter than stars at night.

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The Boysenberry Festival also features an extensive line up of live entertainment. At the heart of all of the excitement is Birdcage Square, located in front ofthe famous Bird Cage Theatre. Here, a stage will be set for daily contests like pie eating, a pie walk, Grandpa’s Boysenberry PJs Contest, where guests will race to stuff the oversized long johns with balloons, and more. In the evening, the Square will have guests kicking up their heels with vinedancing, a down home jug band and dueling fiddlers and banjos!At night, just inside of the Bird Cage Theatre, things get krazywhen Krazy Kirk and the Hillbilliesmount their toe tappin’, knee-slappin’, gut-bustin’ country comedy show that will have audiences clamoring for more! Just across from the Theatre on the Fireman’s Brigadestage,live bandswill play Countrymusic’s best tunes from dusk to Park closing.Right up the road from Birdcage Square, kids can join the classic Bear-y Tales characters in their very own pie making kitchen inside of Ghost Town’s Craft Barn. With the help of Razz Bear-y, Boysen Bear-y and the other Bear-y family members, each beautifully painted scene will follow the world famous boysenberry from field to blue ribbon winning pie! The pint sized chefs can also make their very own delightfully sweet boysenberry tarts complete with a crumble topping. Additional cost applies for tart making. unspecified-9

Located in the Boardwalk area,the iconic Charleston Circle fountain transforms into a beautiful floral fountain, adorned with colorful flowers and boysenberries creating an iconic centerpiece for the celebration. PEANUTSParty in the Parkcelebrates spring in a big way with infectious music, vibrant set design, and an invitation for the audience to be a part of the show! After sundown, Calico Stage will transform into an immersivenighttimedance party, Jammin’ in the Dark,complete withLED lighting effects affixed to the stage where DJHowLy will spin the hottest dance music for all ages. The boysenberry celebration is almost too much fun to stomach!While strolling through the bustling streets of Ghost Town, guests can capture the moment and the memories at boysenberry themed stand-in cutouts, like wanted posters, a boysenberry farming family and more. Festivalgoers can also watch special demonstrations including a chainsaw wood sculpting, glass blowing and blacksmithing. While enjoying the festival, guests may meet Ghost Town’s mayor,Mayor Desmond Ryder and his lovely wife, Josephine. From day to night, Ghost Town has never looked so lively.Springtime fun has also taken root in Camp Snoopy and Fiesta Village. During the limited-time event, the whole family can meet theEaster Beaglein his Camp Snoopy home, blooming with colorful springtime décor. The meet and greet location is the perfect place for shareable moments with the boisterous beagle and his friends –Charlie Brown, Lucy, Sally,and Linus. In Camp Snoopy Theatre, Lucy’s Really BIG Spring Show will showcase the PEANUTSpals singing, dancing, and celebrating springtime. The theater will be filled with the sweet sound of little ones as they singing-along to the to the show’s cheerful tunes! Guests don’t have to be experts at the cha-cha-cha to enjoy nighttime dancing with the Opa OpaSalsa Band in Fiesta Village. Everyone will be sure to take to the floorand dance to the rhythmic beat of popular Latin music. unspecified-5

The Boysenberry Festival is included with admission to Knott’s Berry Farm, additional cost for food tasting experiences within the event, which also offers a full day of thrilling coasters and family fun rides.

Knott’s has extended hours, 10am to 10pm, fromMarch 19 –April 3, allowing guests extra time to take advantageof all of the limited-time offerings.Join the conversation and share your day of boysenberry fun by using #BoysenberryFestival on Twitter and Instagram. For information about the day you plan to visit and available discounts,

knotts.com, call (714) 220-5200, or download the newly updated Knott’s Berry Farm mobile app for your smartphone.

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