California’s Great America Opens Daily
The Bay Area’s summer season officially kicks off at California’s Great America this week with the park beginning daily operations on Thursday, May 25 to kick off Memorial Weekend. Memorial Day is also the final opportunity for all current or past military members (valid identification required) to receive free admission and buy up to six additional tickets for just $30 each.
Great America features the new Patriot roller coaster experience (the park’s new floorless roller coaster featuring a nine-story drop where riders’ feet dangle inches above the track), an incredible array of thrill rides, family attractions, the Planet Snoopy kids’ area and world class shows and performances.
Boomerang Bay
Boomerang Bay Water Park opens Saturday, May 27. Boomerang Bay Water Park is the ideal way to keep cool on hot summer days with water slides and rides, the Great Barrier Reef wave pool, a lazy river float and other water-based fun. Boomerange Bay is included in California’s Great America park admission, cabana rentals are extra.
Red, White and Brews
California’s Great America will add to its incredible lineup of live entertainment and festivals with Red, White and 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 and nightly fireworks (except May 29). Red, White and Brews runs from 11 am until one hour before closing.
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, 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 and around the Hometown Square area are: a brisket mac and cheese conewich with crispy brisket tips, crispy onions and BBQ sauce; red, white and blue funnel cakes topped with strawberries, vanilla ice cream and blueberries; tantalizing bourbon peaches and cream with cinnamon cream and candied walnuts; and cinnamon dessert nachos, which are fried tortillas paired with vanilla ice cream and chocolate and caramel syrup.
For an additional fee, the San Jose Brew Bike will tour guests through the park each day, providing up to 15 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 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.”
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.
Red, White & Brews is free with park admission.
California’s Great America Season Passes begin at just $69 and can be purchased at cagreatamerica.com. Upgrading to a Gold Season Pass provides free parking and admission to Halloween Haunt and WinterFest, entry to Gilroy Gardens and 20 percent off most food and merchandise.
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