Tag Archives: September 2011

Events, Halloweekends, News and Updates, News Stories

HalloWeekends at Cedar Point: Fun, Food and Firefighters, Too

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Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio, – Frights, fun, mouth-watering food and a firefighters competition are just some of this weekend’s activities during HalloWeekends at Cedar Point.

In addition to challenging Cedar Point’s rides and roller coasters, guests of all ages at the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort will also be able to enjoy a variety of Halloween attractions that range from encounters with ghastly creatures to friendly monsters who dance on the midway.

With two new fright zones, HalloWeekends now features 10 haunted attractions. This fall, Screamworks on the Frontier Trail and Blood on the Bayou, located in a wooded area along the lagoon, add to the screams.

HalloWeekends also has two new shows (The Edge of Madness – Six Feet Under and Dr. Cleaver in the Clink). Plus, the Monster Midway Invasion Celebration, a parade that strolls down the main midway at 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, has several new floats and dozens of strange-looking characters.

In the middle of the park, the sleeping ogre who talks and recites poetry is also a crowd-pleaser.

Not to be outdone, G. A. Boeckling’s Eerie Estate, one of four haunted houses at HalloWeekends, is adding a new service. In addition to the Boeckling’s Banquet that offers a fine-dining experience on Fridays (5:30 p.m.) and Saturdays (12:30 p.m.), the ghostly mansion will now serve a Boeckling’s Brunch on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. (excluding Oct. 16 when the Boeckling’s Banquet meal will be served).

Served buffet-style, Boeckling’s Brunch will include eggs, breakfast meats, pastries, potatoes, rice, vegetable medley, carved prime rib, signature dessert, beverages and mimosa for only $49.99 including tax and gratuity. Price does not include admission to the park. Reservations required. (Visit cedarpoint.com for more information.)

Next door in the Soak City parking lot located adjacent to the park, the first Scott Safety Firefighter Combat Challenge will be held on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1.

More than 100 firefighters will participate in the competition that includes climbing stairs, carrying a rescue manikin and dragging a fire hose – all while wearing full firefighting gear. There will also be a kids’ event on Saturday. The activities will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 30) and 9 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 1). Admission to Cedar Point is not required but a parking fee will be collected.

HalloWeekends at Cedar Point will be held Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 28-30. Cedar Point will be open 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday nights (only a portion of the park is open); noon to midnight on Saturdays; and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. (On Sunday, Oct. 9, the park will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) For more information, including attractions, entertainment and hours of operation, please visit halloweekends.com or call the park’s General Information Line at 419.627.2350.

Awards, Cedar Fair, News and Updates, News Stories, Ride Construction

Cedar Point named Best Amusement Park in the World

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Cedar Point Golden Ticket 2011

Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio – For the 14th consecutive year, Cedar Point amusement park/resort in Sandusky, Ohio, was named as the “Best Amusement Park in the World” in the prestigious Golden Ticket Awards presented annually by Amusement Today newspaper.

Cedar Point also received another very special award as Dick Kinzel, CEO of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company that owns operates Cedar Point and 10 other amusement parks, was selected to become a member of the Legends Series as the 2011 Publisher’s Pick that recognizes the top examples of dedication, leadership and achievement in the amusement industry.

These announcements were made late Saturday afternoon, Sept. 17, during a special ceremony held at Holiday World amusement park in Santa Claus, Ind.

The Golden Ticket Awards are given to the highest-rated parks in approximately two dozen categories as determined by a panel of experienced amusement park fans from around the world. Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, Amusement Today is an international publication that covers amusement and waterpark news and trends.

“Dick Kinzel has been instrumental in the growth and success of the Cedar Fair family of parks,” said Gary Slade, publisher and editor-in-chief of Amusement Today. “Because of his leadership, Cedar Fair maintained stability during a very tumultuous period for the amusement park industry. He started, he continued and he won the Coaster Wars. His vision for family entertainment has made him a legend in the industry.”

In addition to winning the highly coveted award for the world’s best amusement park, Cedar Point’s Millennium Force roller coaster was also named as the “Best Steel Roller Coaster” for the second consecutive year and the sixth time since its introduction in 2000.

“This is a very special day for us,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “Not only is our park and our roller coaster named as the best in the world, but Dick Kinzel, who has been a mentor and trusted friend to many of us in the industry, has been recognized for his many achievements. It is a very proud moment.”

Millennium Force had lots of company in the “Best Steel Roller Coaster” category, with two other Cedar Point coasters rated in the Top Ten and another pair ranked in the Top 25. The Top Thrill Dragster (9th) that stands 42-stories tall and perennial favorite Magnum Xl-200 (10th) were the park’s two other Top Ten finalists while the Raptor inverted roller coaster was ranked 18th and the twisting Maverick captured the 21st spot.

Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cedar Point is one of the most popular family vacation destinations in the country. With 75 rides, including 17 roller coasters, the park has more rides than any park in the world. Built in 1870, Cedar Point is the second oldest amusement park in North America.

Cedar Point is now open for HalloWeekends 15, a family fall festival of fun and frights, Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 16-18 through Oct. 28-30.

For more information, please visit the park’s website at cedarpoint.com or call Cedar Point’s General Information Line at 419.627.2350.

Events, Halloweekends, Haunted Houses, News and Updates, News Stories, Scare Zones

HalloWeekends 15, PointFest and Boat Show return to Cedar Point

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Halloweekends Hearse

Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio, – Cedar Point will offer a wide array of family entertainment this week when three popular special events return to the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort.

HalloWeekends
On Friday, HalloWeekends, Cedar Point’s fall festival of fun and frights, will return for its 15th season. For seven weekends, HalloWeekends will provide an unmatched mix of rides and roller coasters, haunted houses and fright zones, live shows and special attractions such as the Monster Midway Invasion Celebration parade that will feature four new floats.

This year HalloWeekends will also add two new fright zones (Screamworks along the Frontier Trail and Blood on the Bayou that will lead guests along the lagoon) and two new shows (The Edge of Madness – Six Feet Under in the Red Slaughter Saloon and Dr. Cleaver in the Clink in The Palace Theatre).

For an additional fee, the new Zombie Tour will provide front-of-the-line privileges at the park’s four haunted houses and the Blood on the Bayou and CornStalkers fright zones. Visit cedarpoint.com for all of the details.

HalloWeekends at Cedar Point will be held Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 16 through Oct. 30. Cedar Point will be open 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday nights (only a portion of the park is open); noon to midnight on Saturdays; and noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. (On Sunday, Oct. 9, the park will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

For more information, including attractions, entertainment and hours of operation, please visit halloweekends.com or call the park’s General Information Line at 419.627.2350.

PointFest
Presenting some of today’s most popular Christian artists, PointFest will return to Cedar Point for its third year on Saturday, Sept. 17. It will feature nearly six hours of music and entertainment.

Headlining this year’s show will be Skillet whose performance will be highlighted by a lively pyrotechnics show and Christian music icon TobyMac, who returns for his second appearance at PointFest. Other entertainers include Manic Drive, Disciple and comedian Bone Hampton.

The concert will begin at approximately 5 p.m. with performances continuing until 11 p.m. The event will be held in the Soak City parking lot. Combo tickets to Cedar Point and the concert are available online and at Cedar Point. Concert-only tickets for season pass-holders and deals for groups of 15 or more are also available. Admission to Cedar Point is required. For more information and a link to purchase tickets, please visit cedarpoint.com.

North American In-Water Boat Show
For the 39th consecutive year, the Cedar Point Marina will host The North American In-Water Boat Show from Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 14-18.

The largest in-water boat show on the Great Lakes, the Cedar Point Boat Show will feature many of the newest power and sail boats, equipment and accessories. A 69-foot-long Marquis 690, displayed by SkipperBud’s, is this year’s Queen of the Fleet. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the Boats Under $15,000 and Boats $15,000-$25,000 pavilions, the Brokerage Pier and the Demo Dock and Sail Pier.

Regular admission is $9 for adults and $7 for seniors (age 60 and older), while children, age 12 and younger, are free. Hours for the boat show will be noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 14-16; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 18. Admission to Cedar Point is not required.

For more information about these events, please log onto to cedarpoint.com or call Cedar Point’s General Information Line at 419.627.2350.

Events, News and Updates, News Stories

Nearly 1,400 compete in the second Revolution3 Triathlon at Cedar Point

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Header Rev3 Cedar Point

Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Chicagoan Andrew Starykowicz captured first place in yesterday’s (Sept. 11) Rev3 Triathlon held at Cedar Point.
Nearly 1,400 people competed in the event that was held at the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort for the second consecutive year. Last year’s triathlon was the first time the park had ever hosted a triathlon and was the first time a triathlon was ever held in Erie County, Ohio.

In 2010, more than 1,100 people participated in the event.

Hotel Breakers with Flags

The Revolution3 Triathlon consisted of two events: a full distance (140.6-mile) triathlon and a half-distance (70.3-mile) triathlon.

Starykowicz, 29, turned in the top time of 8:28:15. Malika Homo, a 32-year-old from Ogden, Utah, won the women’s Full Rev with a time of 9:19:14. In the Half-Rev, 30-year-old Ben Meer, Columbus, took top honors by finishing in 4:19:37. Amy Javens, 39, of Hermitage, Pa., won the women’s Half-Rev with a time of 4:58:06.

The Full Rev began shortly before 7 a.m. on the Cedar Point Beach. After finishing the early-morning swim (2.4 miles), participants started a 112-mile bike ride from Cedar Point through the rural roadways of Erie County before returning to the park. The final component of the race was a 13.1-mile run from the park to downtown Sandusky and back to the park that was repeated to complete the 26.2-mile trek.

Finish LineParticipants in the Half-Rev started the day swimming 1.2 miles and then biked 56 miles before ending the event with a 13.1-mile run to Sandusky and back.

Both races started and ended at Cedar Point. The swimming course began and finished on the Cedar Point Beach. At the end of the running course, the finish line was in the park’s main parking lot.

“It was an exciting and excellent event from start to finish,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager at Cedar Point. “It had a huge field of highly trained and motivated competitors who were treated to a scenic yet challenging course. Cedar Point, the City of Sandusky and Erie County are an ideal location for such a first-class event.”

For more information, please visit the Revolution3 web site at www.rev3tri.com.

Admission, Events, Halloweekends, News and Updates, Season Passes

Cedar Point’s Bonus Weekend: Sept. 9-11

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Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Cedar Point will host several special events and offer a variety of ways to save on all the fun during its Bonus Weekend on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-11.

During this Bonus Weekend, the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort will be open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 9); noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 10); and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday (Sept. 11).

The next weekend, HalloWeekends 15, the park’s fall festival of fun and fright, will open for its 15th season. HalloWeekends will be held Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 16-18 through Oct. 28-30.

The fun and the savings will start Friday evening when everyone will be able to purchase a ticket for an evening of rides and entertainment for only $19.99. Guests age 2 and under are free. (A reduced ride offering will be available.) Tickets can be purchased online at cedarpoint.com or at the park.

Cedar Point Season Pass-holders and Cedar Fair Platinum Pass-holders will also be able to take advantage of some special deals for added fun and savings. On Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 10-11), Season Pass-holders and Platinum Pass-holders will be able to bring as many guests as they like to the park each day for only $19.99 per person, a savings of $30 per ticket. These specially-priced tickets are only available at the park.

As a special bonus, Platinum and Season pass-holders will also be able to enjoy Exclusive Ride Time (ERT) on both days. On Saturday, ERT will be held on Top Thrill Dragster and the Magnum XL-200 for one hour shortly after park closing. On Sunday, ERT on Millennium Force will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. All guests of season pass-holders will also be able to participate in these special ride sessions.

In addition to the ERT sessions, all Platinum Pass and Cedar Point Season Pass-holders will be able to save 20 percent on all purchases of $20 or more at the Park Plaza, Snoopy Boutique and Pagoda gift shops. All season pass-holders will also be able to buy one-get one game free at all $1 and $2 games.

Cedar Fair Platinum Passes and Cedar Point Season Passes for 2012 are now on sale at the best prices of the season. Through Oct. 30, Platinum Passes are only $159 while Season Passes are $99.99. Renewals are $149 and $95, respectively. For Juniors (age 3 and older, under 48 inches tall) and Seniors (age 62 and older), Platinum Passes are $96 while Season Passes are $69.99. Season Passes can be purchased online (cedarpoint.com) or at Cedar Point’s Season Pass Center during the park’s operating hours.

Now through Sunday, Sept. 11, the park is offering Pick-A-Date tickets that allow guests to pick a specific date to visit the park and save $12 per ticket. Tickets can be used on a different date with an upgrade.

The park will also host two special events during the next week. On Sunday, Sept. 11, Cedar Point will host the Revolution3 Triathlon for the second consecutive year. The event will consist of a full triathlon and a half triathlon. Participants will swim, bike and run more than 140.6 or 70.3 miles. Both races will start on the Cedar Point Beach and will end at the park. Last year, more than 1,100 participants competed in the event.

Guests will be able to experience the excitement of the finish line all day long through midnight as the last racers cross the finish line located in the park’s main parking lot. For more race details, please visit: www.rev3tri.com.

On Wednesday through Sunday, Sept 14-18, the 39th annual North American In-Water Boat Show will be held in the Cedar Point Marina. It is the largest in-water boat show on the Great Lakes.

For more information on these money-saving deals and special events at Cedar Point, please visit cedarpoint.com or call the park’s General Information Line at 419.627.2350.