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Cedar Fair, Events, News and Updates, News Stories, Rides, RollerCoasters

Cedar Fair is “Coasting For Kids”

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Cedar Fair Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio – The thrill of a roller coaster ride will have a whole lot more meaning on Thursday, July 29 when Cedar Fair Entertainment Company’s (NYSE: FUN) eleven amusement parks host “Coasting For Kids 2010” to raise money for Give Kids The World Village, the nonprofit organization that provides weeklong vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

The fun-filled event is a company-wide effort. Park fans and coaster enthusiasts alike will enjoy a day filled with riding the coolest roller coasters at their favorite park over and over again. Featured rides include Gemini at Cedar Point, Shivering Timbers at Michigan’s Adventure, Jaguar at Knott’s Berry Farm and the Racer at Kings Island, with rides at the other seven parks to be announced soon. All participants are encouraged to raise at least $50 for Give Kids The World to take part – with prizes going to the top three fundraisers at each park.

All participants will receive complimentary admission to the park of their choice, a “Coasting For Kids” t-shirt and unlimited rides on the event’s featured attraction. Each participating park will also offer additional event perks unique to their location.

“Cedar Fair has been proud to partner with Give Kids The World for many years,” said Lee Ann Alexakos, Vice President Marketing and Advertising, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. “’Coasting For Kids’ is the perfect way for our guests to enjoy our parks – and help children with life-threatening illnesses.”

“We are so excited to work with Cedar Fair,” echoed Give Kids The World President, Pamela Landwirth. “We had such fun at the inaugural event at Cedar Point last year, and are looking forward to this nationwide coaster marathon at all eleven locations this year. This tremendous support for Give Kids The World will help us continue to make dreams come true for children who need it most.”

“Coasting For Kids” will take place at Cedar Point, OH; Kings Island, OH; Canada’s Wonderland, Ontario, Canada; Dorney Park, PA; Valleyfair, MN; Michigan’s Adventure, MI; Kings Dominion, VA; Carowinds, NC; Worlds of Fun, MO; Knott’s Berry Farm CA; and California’s Great America, CA. Anyone who is interested in participating can go to www.firstgiving.com/gktw, click “register for an event” and pick the park they wish to attend and take part at. All participants must raise at least $50 by Wednesday, July 28 to take part in the event on July 29. Space at each park is limited. To learn more, interested participants can call Give Kids The World at 407.396.1114 ext. 4504 or email dream@gktw.org or log on to www.gktw.org.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: “FUN”) is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. The Company, which owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, Virginia / District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California under a management contract. Cedar Fair’s flagship park, Cedar Point, has been consistently voted the “Best Amusement Park in the World” in a prestigious annual poll conducted by Amusement Today newspaper.

Give Kids The World

Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) is a 70-acre, nonprofit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 101,000 families from all 50 states and 72 countries.

News and Updates, News Stories

Working fire at Cedar Point – possibly 2 firefighters injured

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From the Sandusky Register…

SANDUSKY

Erie County Sheriff’s dispatchers confirmed there is currently a working fire at Cedar Point.

Scanner traffic between Sandusky and Cedar Point firefighters indicate the burning structure is a two-story, metal building used for maintenance purposes. As of 9:25 p.m., firefighters were still working to extinguish the blaze.

At least one Cedar Point firefighter was taken by ambulance to the hospital to be treated for unknown injuries.

UPDATED 9:50 p.m.: Additional fire departments have been called to the scene to provide mutual aid, including Huron, Perkins and Margaretta fire.

UPDATED 10 p.m.: Fire personnel on scene have requested immediate transport for a “firefighter down,” according to police scanner traffic. “I have a firefighter down; need transport A-S-A-P,” one fire commander relayed on dispatch.

UPDATED 10:20 p.m.: Firefighters have indicated there appears to be no more smoke in the building at this time. The building is not located in the main park area, but in a maintenance area.

Park personnel have shut down three rides close to the fire — the Corkscrew, Power Tower and a musical bob sled ride. For the most part, park visitors said the fire has not affected them a bit; they’ve continued riding the other rides without much interruption.

News and Updates, News Stories, Ride Watch, Rides

Web update: New Cedar Point thrill ride

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From the Sandusky Register…

SANDUSKY

Cedar Point’s new thrill ride for 2011 will be announced in mid-August — a relatively early announcement compared to previous ride announcements.

Cedar Fair’s chairman and CEO, Dick Kinzel, dropped a hint about what’s coming. “It’s going to bring back a lot of memories for people that follow Cedar Point,” he said.

Cedar Fair, News and Updates, News Stories

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company Launches Mobile Visitor Initiatives with Hipcricket

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Cedar Fair Press Release

KIRKLAND, Wash.– Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, has selected Hipcricket to further engage park visitors with discounts, promotions, event notifications, and more delivered via mobile devices. The solutions from Hipcricket, the one-stop mobile marketing and mobile advertising company that empowers brands, agencies and media properties to engage customers and drive sales and loyalty, are in place in eight of the Company’s amusement parks across the country.

Cedar Fair has begun integrating mobile into its overall marketing initiatives including traditional and non-traditional channels. The parks, which include Kings Island, Kings Dominion and Dorney Park, among others, are promoting their mobile clubs via Facebook, radio, email newsletters, and in-park signage. These channels leverage the power of Hipcricket’s hyperlocal 6.0 platform and prompt current and potential park visitors to opt-in and receive special offers from Cedar Fair and their local amusement parks. Cedar Point – the flagship park in the Cedar Fair system – will be rolling out its mobile strategy in July.

“We’re always looking for new ways to further connect with visitors while they’re in our parks and also in between visits,” said Lee Alexakos, vice president & corporate division head of marketing & advertising at Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. “This is the first time that we’ve launched a cross-park mobile marketing initiative and we’re pleased by how easy it is to deliver timely and relevant messages to our guests which offer special promotions, encourage repeat visits and ultimately enhance their in-park experience.”

“Mobile marketing is proven to be the best channel to not just reach customers, but to fully engage them,” said Eric Harber, president and COO at Hipcricket. “By using Hipcricket’s hyperlocal mobile marketing solutions, Cedar Fair is able to connect one-on-one with its park visitors and offer them timely and relevant information, no matter where they are.”

Hipcricket has conducted more than 65,000 mobile marketing campaigns for some of the world’s biggest brands—including Macy’s, Nestle, KFC, HBO and Clear Channel—as well as hundreds of radio and television stations nationwide. Hipcricket equips clients with superior technology and services that enable them to create mobile advertising and promotional campaigns in minutes.

About Cedar Fair Entertainment Company

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: “FUN”) is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. The Partnership, which owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, Virginia / District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California under a management contract. Cedar Fair’s flagship park, Cedar Point, has been voted the “Best Amusement Park in the World” for 12 consecutive years in a prestigious annual poll conducted by Amusement Today newspaper.

About Hipcricket Inc.

Hipcricket Inc. is the one-stop mobile marketing and advertising company that empowers brands, agencies and media properties to engage customers, drive loyalty and increase sales. Hipcricket’s customers connect with consumers across every mobile channel, including SMS, mobile Web sites, permission-based advertising networks and branded apps. Hipcricket’s proven technology and experienced account management teams have provided measurable successes through an industry-leading 65,000 campaigns for clients such as Macy’s, Nestle, KFC, HBO and Clear Channel. The company has also created the first comprehensive permission-based mobile ad network that taps into the buying power of the mass market with industry-leading capabilities to target customers via location and highly-specific demographic information.

Hipcricket is a privately held corporation based near Seattle, Washington, with operations in New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City. More information can be found at: www.hipcricket.com.

Deals, Events, News and Updates, News Stories

Fireworks, Food and Fun Highlight Cedar Point’s Fourth of July Weekend

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Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio, June 28 — Special entertainment, delicious meals, and money saving deals will be available at Cedar Point during the Fourth of July Weekend, Thursday through Monday, July 1-5.

Guests will even have a few extra hours to enjoy the Independence Day festivities at Cedar Point as the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort will be open until 1 a.m. on Sunday, July 4.  That leaves nearly three hours to enjoy all of the park’s rides and attractions after the fireworks display ends.  Plus, Starlight Admission, beginning at 5 p.m., is only $29.99 for eight hours of fun and excitement!

Cedar Point resort guests can purchase one-day tickets for $29 and Starlight Admission tickets for $14.99, a savings of $15 per ticket.

Some of the special activities planned for the holiday weekend include:

Fourth of July Fireworks

A spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display will light up the sky beginning at 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Presented by Zambelli Internationale, Inc., of New Castle, Pa., one of the oldest and largest companies in fireworks displays in the United States, the program is synchronized to patriotic music.  (In case of inclement weather, the fireworks show will be rescheduled for Monday, July 5.)

In addition to the fireworks, Starlight Experience, the park’s themed lighted walkway along the Frontier Trail that uses more than one million LED lights, will be in operation until the Maverick and Millennium Force roller coasters close for the evening.  At 11 p.m., Hot Summer Lights featuring music, video, pyrotechnics and “Firewater,” bursts of flames that climb 25 feet into the air, will be presented.  (Excluding July 4, Hot Summer Lights is presented nightly at 10 p.m.)

Cedar Point and its unmatched collection of rides and roller coasters will be open until 1 a.m. on the evening of July 4.  The park will also be open until 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 3.

For an added treat, Cleveland Browns sensation Josh Cribbs will be at the park on Sunday.  From noon to 1 p.m., Cribbs, who makes his own fireworks, will meet guests and sign autographs near the Game Day Grille, just off the park’s main midway by the Blue Streak roller coaster.

Salute to the Armed Forces

Cedar Point will salute members of the armed forces on Sunday and Monday, July 4-5.  On either day, any active, honorably-discharged or retired member of the military can receive one free admission ticket for themselves.

Great Meal Deals

Guests with an appetite should be sure to purchase a brat from the Johnsonville Big Taste Grill, which will be located on the midway in front of Dodgems. Brats will be served from 11 a.m. until park closing Thursday through Monday.

On Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4, guests can enjoy more great food at the Picnic at the Point in the Coral Courtyard. The Picnic at the Point will feature an all-you-can-eat meal of broiled Johnsonville brats, fried chicken, hot dogs, baked rigatoni, potato salad, baked beans, cookies, ice cream and assorted Pepsi beverages The meal will be available from 4-5:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 4:30-6 p.m. on Sunday.  Tickets can be purchased online at cedarpoint.com or at the park’s admission gates.

Special Entertainment

The weekend will be filled with special guests and entertainment.  On Saturday, July 3, the Cleveland Cavalier’s Scream Team will perform from 1-1:30 pm and 2-2:30 p.m. near the WildCat and Iron Dragon roller coasters.

The Firelands Chorus will perform patriotic songs from 1-1:20 p.m. on Monday, July 5, on the chorus stage by the Extreme Sports Stadium. Also on Monday, former Ohio State University linebacker and Super Bowl Winner Mike Vrabel will meet guests and sign autographs from noon to 1 p.m. in front of the Game Day Grille restaurant near the Blue Streak roller coaster.

Point Patrol Giveaways at Shows

Besides the rides and special attractions, Cedar Point’s entertainment lineup also includes classic summer hits from Jimmy Buffet and Gloria Estefan, toe-tappin’ country tunes, and a real-life version of MTV Games’ Rock Band video game.  There is even an ice-skating show starring Snoopy and a high-energy stunt show with gravity-defying rollerbladers, gymnasts and dancers.

For added excitement, the park’s Point Patrol will be distributing prizes at select live shows on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Giveaways will include prizes from Red Gold Ketchup (Friday only) and gift cards from Hard Rock Cafe, Perkins Restaurant and Bakery and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland.  Coupons for Shearer’s Potato Chips, Toft’s Ice Cream and Johnsonville Brat products will also be given away.

For more information about Cedar Point’s weekend celebration, please log on to cedarpoint.com or call the park’s general information line at 419.627.2350.