Last week during a preview event for passholders, California’s Great America revealed their “Seasons of Fun” event lineup for 2020. These announcements come on top of the announcement last summer about the re-theming and expansion of CGA’s waterpark into South Bay Shores. The biggest news was the announcement of three major new events coming to the park, including a parade and monster trucks! We also got some details on the some of the park’s returning favorite festivals.
New for 2020 Events
Let’s start with what’s new:
Spring Fiesta: The park kicks off their “seasons of fun” events with a new Hispanic themed festival starting in April. Over three weekends, Spring Fiesta will focus on different aspects of Latin culture with food, live music, and entertainment. The first weekend, April 25-26, with focus on kid-friendly entertainment, with activities, games and crafts. May 2-3 will focus on traditional folk dance to go along with authentic food. Finally, May 9-10 is the Latin Music Festival, showcasing Bay Area Latin music performers.
Spring Fiesta kicks off the Seasons of Fun for Great America this year.
Monster Jam Thunder Alley: Monster Trucks roll into the park in late June as the second big new event for the park. You’ll get a chance to get up close with a slew of well known Monster Trucks, even getting to sit inside and go for a ride in one!
Meet-and-greets with drivers, a kids play area, and the Monster Jam garage round out the event, which takes place from June 20-July 12. I’m very curious where in the park they’ll hold this, it’ll be exciting to see. We also know Monster Jam Thunder Alley comes to Carowinds this year, so it’ll be interesting to see if any other parks are on their schedule.
Carnivale at Orleans Place: The last big new event comes to the park at from July 18 to August 2. The Taste of Orleans festival from past years is getting an upgrade as it expands to Carnivale at Orleans Place. The popular art and food from Taste of Orleans will be back, but the park is adding the full-scale “Spectacle of Color” parade, complete with Mardi Gras inspired floats and performers.
Great America upgrades Taste of Orleans this year to Carnivale at Orleans Place, complete with the Spectacle of Color Parade.
The Grand Carnivale parade came to four Cedar Fair parks last year, and now it looks to be coming to a new batch including CGA. I can’t remember the last time the park had a parade, so I’m pretty excited about this. Check out Andrew’s review of the parade at King’s Dominion last year for a taste of what we’ll see at Great America.
Past Favorites Return
Along with all the new festivals, the Great America announced some dates and info for events returning this year. Red, White & Brews, the popular festival focusing on local beers and summer eats comes back for weekends from June 27-July 12, including nightly fireworks. Halloween Haunt is back starting September 25. This year the park introduces a new maze, Shadowlands. It is coming up to CGA from Knott’s Berry Farm where it regularly got good reviews. Finally, Winterfest returns to the park starting in late November for select nights through the end of the year.
The Shadowlands Haunt maze is coming up from Knott’s Scary Farm to California’s Great America for the first time.
“This stellar lineup of events and the opening of South Bay Shores waterpark will make 2020 the year to experience California’s Great America like never before,” said Manny Gonzalez, vice president and general manager. “This year, our guests will be able to step into an incredible celebration of Hispanic culture, get up close and personal with some of Monster Jam’s biggest stars and experience the largest summertime event ever held at California’s Great America with its own captivating parade. These new additions to our park, along with our longstanding fan favorites, demonstrate our commitment to being the premier entertainment destination in the Bay Area.”
California’s Great America opens for the 2020 season on March 21, just a few weeks away. For more on all of their Seasons of Fun, check out their official event page. What are you most excited about this year?
Recent Discussion