Celebrating Six Flags Great America’s 50th Anniversary
On May 29, 1976, Marriott’s Great America, opened to the public just north of Chicago in Gurnee, Illinois. Now, we are celebrating Six Flags Great America’s 50th anniversary, 50 years to the day on May 29, 2026 with the park dressed up in 50th anniversary decorations. In the morning before the park opened, the media was invited to preview a few of their exclusive wares at the brand new refreshed Emporium alongside the Legacy Museum, featuring memorabilia, signs, uniforms, and so much more from over the decades.
Park staff welcomed us with a few speeches from General Manager Hardeep Lall and Park President John Krajnak. John had some big news to share, as for the first time in over a decade, American Eagle will be dueling again. Park operations and maintenance worked really hard to make it happen and at least through the 50th anniversary celebrations, the fastest, tallest, and longest dual-track wooden coaster in the world, will be racing once again.
John also introduced to us a treat for the media this morning, a special 50th reunion of the original barbershop quartet that performed in the park during its inaugural season. After the quartet sung their tune, a small ribbon cutting was held with guest appearances by Looney Toons characters Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny.
After that, staff opened up the Emporium and the Legacy Museum to give us a preview of the merchandise the park will offer for the anniversary. There’s several designs featured so if one style does not quite match what you’re looking for, just browse around until you do.
The Legacy Museum for sure is a great way to peer through the history of Six Flags Great America, featuring signage from retired rides and shops, uniforms, souvenirs, blueprints and the original model of American Eagle, and so much more. These are just some glimpses of what’s inside the pop-up museum so make sure to check it out yourself to see great pieces of history from opening year all the way to Mr. Six.
If you want to leave your mark at the park for the 50th anniversary, you can purchase a personalized Anniversary Brick, just like we did!
After the park opened to guests, a much bigger celebration with everyone happened that morning, featuring more of the Looney Toons cast and several performers of Six Flags Great America’s entertainment department. The park handed out birthday hats and coupons for a free cupcake in celebration. Hardeep Lall and John Krajnak made their appearance again, repeating their messages to park guests from earlier this morning, including everyone cheering on for the return of racing on American Eagle. After that, they held a much bigger ribbon cutting ceremony, starting the 50th anniversary celebrations that go on until August 9, 2026.
The park has several new food options across several of its locations specifically made for the 50th anniversary, including options that might have not been seen in a very long time. For the rides, special plaques have been placed at the entrances for the rides that have been there since 1976, such as all of the rides in Hometown Square like Hometown Fun Machine, the park’s Scrambler. While Whizzer was still being worked on after receiving new sections of track where it wraps around the lift hill, it’ll only be a matter of time that this classic Schwarzkopf coaster will be sending guests through its forested course once again.
See more of the Six Flags Great America 50th Anniversary celebration below!
Make sure to check out Six Flags Great America’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, including the Nighttime Spectacular parade and drone show that will be happening every night, now through August 9, 2026!
