CARLSBAD, Calif. — Brick by brick, the excitement builds! LEGOLAND California Resort announces the grand launch of North America’s first-ever LEGO World Parade, set to debut on May 24! In celebration of the launch, the Carlsbad theme park is rolling out an incredible offer: $29 Kids Tickets.

Starting May 6, families can take advantage of a limited time $29 Kids Tickets offer to experience the magic of the LEGO World Parade throughout the summer.

The LEGO World Parade promises to be an unforgettable experience for LEGO fans of all ages. It will feature a dazzling array of LEGO themed floats including a LEGO City Firetruck, a swashbuckling pirate ship, and floats inspired by LEGO NINJAGO, LEGO Friends, LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure, and LEGO DUPLO. This is a unique opportunity to see favorite LEGO worlds come to life in a vibrant, dynamic parade like no other.

The Parade will also feature an exciting cast of five costume characters, each bringing their unique LEGO charm to their floats. Joining them will be more than 50 entertainers, dancing and marching along the parade route through the west side of the Park. The Parade will be the perfect finale to a day spent riding, climbing, splashing, and building throughout the theme park’s 60+ rides, shows, and attractions.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Cordish Companies announced today that their 73,000-square-foot dining and entertainment destination at Pointe Orlando will take on the Company’s nationally acclaimed Live! hospitality and entertainment brand. LIVE! AT THE POINTE ORLANDO will bring an unmatched food and beverage, social, nightlife and special event experience to Orlando’s tourism corridor when it opens this fall, creating a unique block party atmosphere for locals and tourists alike. Located on International Drive, Live! at The Pointe Orlando will be just a short drive from Orlando, Florida’s major theme parks and across the street from the Orange County Convention Center. The Company also announced two new venues today for the project – HOUNDSMEN ENGLISH LOUNGE and SHARK BAR – joining previously announced anchor concepts SPORTS & SOCIAL and PBR COWBOY BAR. A major announcement of an additional two-level anchor concept will be happening within the next few weeks. 

For nearly three decades, The Cordish Companies’ Live! brand has dramatically changed the entertainment experience around the country, creating one-of-a-kind destinations that offer premier dining venues and nightlife, first-class hospitality, the best of local, regional, and national entertainment, and a curated year-round calendar of special events. Highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands nationwide, Live! welcomes over 55 million visitors each year to its dining, entertainment, hotel, casino resort and music venues throughout the U.S. including Xfinity Live!, in partnership with Comcast Spectacor, and Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex; Texas Live! and Live! by Loews hotel in the Arlington Entertainment District in partnership with the Texas Rangers; Live! at The Battery Atlanta in partnership with the Atlanta Braves; Nashville Live! in the heart of downtown Nashville, TN on 2^nd Avenue; and Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland in the Baltimore/Washington DC corridor. This will be the Company’s first opening in the Orlando market as it continues its vast expansion across the state of Florida and Southeast region of the United States.

In Florida, Cordish was the original development partner of the Seminole Tribe of Florida for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, two of the most successful casino entertainment resorts in the world. Further demonstrating their strong commitment to the State of Florida, Cordish recently opened Vivo!, a 62,000-square-foot dining and entertainment destination in Miami, and is under crane on a 223-acre master planned mixed-use development in Pompano Beach called The Pomp that combines casino gaming with best-in-class entertainment, retail, dining, hotel, residential, office and lifestyle amenities into one dynamic destination.

“It is incredibly exciting for The Cordish Companies to unveil more details about our highly anticipated dining and entertainment destination in Orlando, starting with the naming of the project under our flagship Live! brand,” said Reed Cordish, Principal of The Cordish Companies. “We are proud to continue working with Brixmor Property Group to bring a world-class experience to Pointe Orlando. Live! at The Pointe Orlando will be a game-changing development for Orlando’s tourism corridor and is sure to become the premier destination for both locals and tourists.”

LIVE! AT THE POINTE ORLANDO is being developed by Live! Hospitality & Entertainment, a division of The Cordish Companies, with plans to bring approximately 73,000 square feet of immersive indoor and outdoor dining and entertainment space to Pointe Orlando, including 37,000 square feet of exterior gathering space. The world-class dining, entertainment, nightlife and social destination will feature several venues centered around an incredible outdoor LIVE! PLAZA that willserve as the living room of the community for special events, live music, sports watching and festivals year-round, giving guests a variety of experiences to enjoy and always a reason to come back. Among the new venues announced today for the project are:

• HOUNDSMEN ENGLISH LOUNGE is a thoughtfully considered cocktail lounge that offers a curated list of expertly crafted drinks featuring fine spirits, dark whiskeys and diverse inspiration. With rich interior finishes, wood-paneled walls, low lighting and leather accents, the lounge will offer an elevated space that provides a sophisticated destination to relax, unwind and gather. The captivating 4,800-square-foot venue will transport guests to the highlands of England, creating a welcoming space for all.
• The home of endless summer, SHARK BAR brings an endless party to Live! at The Pointe Orlando. The 4,600-square-foot venue offers a spacious interior that blends retro surf with retro cool with vibrant colors, retractable garage doors and plush exterior patio seating, making it the perfect oasis for cocktail parties, receptions, happy hour and late-night social scene. From frosty cool rum runners and piña coladas to Shark Bar’s signature beach pail punch, Shark Bar heats up with the greatest retro dance music in the region. Other locations of the concept can be found at Ballpark Village adjacent to Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO and at Kansas City Live! in the Power & Light District located in the heart of downtown Kansas City, MO.

“Riding a mechanical bull at PBR Cowboy Bar, imbibing crafted cocktails in an elevated lounge reminiscent of the English countryside, or watching your favorite sporting events on state-of-art screens in Sports & Social are just a few of the one-of-a-kind experiences you will soon find at the newly renovated Pointe Orlando. The addition of The Cordish Companies’ Live! Brand is another example of why Pointe Orlando is Orlando’s dining and entertainment destination that embraces sophisticated fun indoors and outdoors,” said Matt Ryan, EVP & President South Region for Brixmor Property Group, owner of Pointe Orlando.

Previously announced anchor venues, SPORTS & SOCIAL and PBR COWBOY BAR, are located in high-profile entertainment and lifestyle districts, world-class casino resort destinations, and adjacent to professional sports stadiums around the country. Together, the concepts have nearly 30 locations nationwide including The Battery adjacent to Truist Park in Atlanta; Ballpark Village adjacent to Busch Stadium in St. Louis; Texas Live! in the Arlington Entertainment District; Nashville Live! in the heart of downtown Nashville, and Vivo! in Miami, FL.

• SPORTS & SOCIAL is the premier restaurant and bar concept in the United States that brings elevated food and drink offerings, premier sports watching, live music, a high energy nightlife, and social games all under one roof. Guests can expect a full menu of made-from-scratch gameday favorites, curated cocktails and specialty drinks, including its signature Crush selection, and a variety of beer from national brews and local favorites. The two-level, 11,700-square-foot venue will feature one of the best sports watching experiences in the region with its premier game-day Sports Watch activations. Outfitted with state-of-the-art technology, the space will boast an impressive LED display at its centerpiece that will show multiple games and sporting events at once. Guests will also be able to enjoy live music throughout the week, as well as a wide variety of social games such as skee-ball, foosball, hoops, arcade games, shuffleboard, and Beirut. Sports & Social will have ample seating inside and out, including multiple signature bars and an indoor/outdoor bar that flows out to the Live! Plaza.  
• Born from the toughest sport on dirt, the iconic PBR COWBOY BAR lives up to its legendary namesake, Professional Bull Riders, which embodies toughness, determination, and a true spirit of independence. PBR Cowboy Bars fuse that spirit with first-class hospitality, bringing an authentic country western experience that marries an electric combination of ‘cowboy cool’ and big-time entertainment. The 8,400-square-foot venue in Orlando, the 16^th location to open in the country, will feature a professionally endorsed mechanical riding bull, multiple signature bars, and private VIP booths, offering an incredible venue for celebrating special occasions and hosting private events. The soul of PBR Cowboy Bar comes alive through its great entertainment, the best in country music, and its rich traditions. PBR Cowboy Bar venues have welcomed some of the biggest names in country music including Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, and Justin Moore. Additionally, each PBR Cowboy Bar recognizes Freedom Friday, a night of appreciation once a month forall military personnel, veterans, first responders and public service members.

SARASOTA, Fla. — Five individuals associated with fairs across five states received the Certified Fair Executive (CFE) designation at the 2024 IAFE Management Conference in Sarasota, Florida on April 30, 2024.

Those individuals are:

• Kristen Bright, IFMG, CFE, Tennessee Valley Fair
• Tasha Hyder, IFMG, CFE, Clay County Agricultural Fair, FL
• Rachael Lough, IFMG, CFE, Ohio State Fair
• Angela Miller, IFMG, CFE, Roosevelt County Fair, Mt
• Shelly Parish, IFMG, CFE, North Dakota State Fair

The purposes of the CFE program are a) to provide incentive for professional improvement in fair management; b) to recognize those who achieve the specific standards; and c) to develop professional status in the field of fair management. Certification also honors those members who have demonstrated their abilities through years of service to their fairs, fair associations, communities, and the Association.

Read more about each 2024 CFE Recipient below:

Kristen Bright, IFM, CFE, Tennessee Valley Fair is the Foundation Coordinator for the Tennessee Valley Fair. Kristen is originally from West Tennessee but has called East Tennessee home for 12 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Go Vols!). She began working at the fair in 2016 as a Social Media Intern. Since her time as an intern, Kristen has also worked as the Sponsorship and Special Events Coordinator, the 100th Anniversary Celebration Coordinator, and the fair Historian. Kristen has been involved with the IAFE for over 6 years. She is an Institute of Fair Management graduate, and she has served as an active member of the Sponsorship, Ticketing, and Convention Program committees, and was the Sponsorship Committee Chair in 2023. Her favorite aspect about the fair industry is everyone’s willingness to share ideas and help each other. Outside of her fair interests, Kristen spends time in her garden, going to concerts, and in her portrait photography business where she enjoys photographing families and events. She hopes to continue her role in the fair industry for many years to come!

Tasha Hyder, IFMG, CFE, Clay County Agricultural Fair, FL is from the Clay County Fair in Florida. Tasha has been involved in the events and fair industry for over 15 years, where she has created new community events and grown community favorites. She has become known for doing out-of-the-box stuff and it usually involves goats (she doesn’t even really like goats). Tasha has brought unique ideas like Ferris Wheel Speed Dating, Goat Yoga, Silent Disco Goat Party, and more to her fair. She created “Our Fair Cares” to give back to the community. In 2022, Tasha’s team organized a nationwide effort to assist hurricane victims in Florida. $35,000 and twelve semi-trucks were sent to help. Tasha is a champion for diversity and inclusion, serving on the Florida Festival Events DEI Task Force and frequently sharing with other fairs how they can become more inclusive. Tasha has a master’s degree in education from the University of North Florida. She is still considered a newlywed, married last October. She enjoys time with her fur-kids Dudley and Finley, five cats and a host of rescues looking for a home.

Tasha’s favorite thing about the industry is how helpful and caring everyone is.

Rachael Lough, IFMG, CFE, Ohio State Fair, , a vibrant presence in the fair industry, began her journey with a humorous twist when a joke about the name “Dixie Classic” ignited a lasting passion for fairs. Prior to diving into fairs, Rachael accumulated valuable experience at Walt Disney World and Zoo Tampa, where she met her husband, Danny. In her role as the Public Relations and Marketing Director of the Carolina Classic Fair, Rachael demonstrated strategic prowess by successfully rebranding the event from Dixie Classic to Carolina Classic Fair. Her innovative spirit extended to digitizing the competitive exhibits process. Transitioning to the Ohio State Fair as the Assistant Rental Director, Rachael continues to make significant contributions to the industry.

Angela Miller, IFMG, CFE, Roosevelt County Fair, Mt, A town kid who believed that FFA was a fun idea, is now an 11-year manager of the Roosevelt County Fair in Montana. Angela began her FFA experience as a freshman in highschool and showed livestock at the California Mid State Fair in Paso Robles, California. From there, she went on to study Animal Science at Reedley College, where she was a member of the beef show team at the Big Fresno Fair and Tulare Fair, as well as the traveling Round Robin judging team, where she judged numerous fairs throughout the state of California. After attending college at California State University, Fresno, Angela went on to teach agriculture and coached her students through a swine breeding and show program at the Kings County Fair in Hanford, California. She then decided that a big move was ideal and relocated to Bainville, MT to teach agriculture and volunteer on the Livestock Committee before becoming a board member at the Roosevelt County Fair. Angela believes that her experiences with numerous fairs have shaped her into becoming the manager she is today.

Shelly Parish, IFMG, CFE, North Dakota State Fair is employed with the North Dakota State Fair in Minot, North Dakota. She started her career with North Dakota State Fair in 2000 as an accounting assistant. In 2003 she was given the opportunity to take on the competitive exhibits department, plus human resources and payroll, which she continues today. Shelly has been married to her husband Scott for 23 years. Together they have 4 daughters and 9 grandchildren. In her off time, you will find her attending the grandkids sporting events. If the grandkids aren’t occupying her time, you will find her out on her motorcycle. A place where she feels she can recharge. Although the fair industry wasn’t part of her long-term plan, she is very thankful for the “life” lessons she has learned. Getting to know and learn from others across the country has been very rewarding.

BRANSON, Mo. — Ozarkly, a new multimedia hub from the internationally awarded Silver Dollar City theme park, launches today, detailing the food, music, crafts, attractions, and culture of the 1880s Ozarkian destination. From digital concerts and at-home recipes, to planning guides, Ozarkly is the ultimate destination for Silver Dollar City content and all things related.  

Ozarkly is a place to find valuable Silver Dollar City information — along with the park’s unique culture — through the award-winning storytelling that has put the park on the map as an international destination. Ozarkly features news, planning resources and entertainment as well as human interest pieces in the form of articles, videos, podcasts and photo galleries.

Joey Thorsen, head of content at the Silver Dollar City Company, will guide the new entertainment and educational resource. “Ozarkly’s primary focus is what makes our park and region so special,” Thorsen explains, “Those stories and legacies left behind by those who came before us, but also the cutting-edge thinking and new traditions that make Silver Dollar City a one-of-a-kind destination.” 

Ozarkly topics will always be authentically Ozarkly. “Until now, there has not been a unique online home for our content that spans media channels,” Thorsen says. “Now, we have a place where we can share with the country, with the world, what makes Silver Dollar City and our region so distinct.”

The creation of Ozarkly comes at a time when telling the genuine stories of the park and destination is more accessible than before, thanks to the increasing prevalence of social media in our everyday lives. “In the age of social media, where content is perfectly curated, the demand for ‘real’ content is greater than ever before,” notes Thorsen. “Ozarkly will serve as that hub for original content — content about real people and their deep connection with this special place.”

Known for rich storytelling and place-setting, Ozarkly operates under the Silver Dollar City Company umbrella, where the company’s flagship theme park, Silver Dollar City, has been telling the story of the Ozarks to guests for more than six decades. Content is now live on www.ozarkly.com with new weekly content in development.

MILTON KEYNES, U.K. — RWS Global, the world’s largest producer of live experiences, today announced the appointment of Danielle Tanton to the role of Director, Business Development. With her extensive IP-themed entertainment licensing expertise, Tanton is poised to strengthen RWS Global’s business development and strategic partnerships, as the company continues to expand globally. 

Based at RWS Global’s UK headquarters, Tanton has over 13 years of experience in the themed entertainment industry, including roles at Mattel, Paramount and Entertainment One. Most recently, she served as head of licensing at The Path Entertainment Group, responsible for sub-licensing Monopoly Lifesized, the SAW: Escape Experience and the upcoming Paddington Bear Experience into international markets. Tanton’s work has allowed her to license experiences and manage accounts for several large-scale intellectual properties, including Nickelodeon, MTV, Paramount, Channel 5’s Milkshake!, Teletubbies, Peppa Pig and Thomas & Friends.

“We are thrilled to welcome Danielle to our team and are confident that she will play a pivotal role in shaping our global business strategies and contributing to our overall growth,” said Rochelle Wilhelm, VP, Business Development, RWS Global.

“I am delighted to be joining the business development team at RWS Global, representing an incredible breadth of capabilities,” said Tanton. “Contributing to RWS Global’s impressive history of projects, I look forward to supporting the expansion of the business on land and at sea.”

Tanton is currently President-Elect for the Themed Entertainment Association Europe and Middle East (TEA EME) Divisional Board after a 6.5-year service and is set to serve as President for 2 years starting in 2025. Other honors include being named an Inside Out Award finalist, an MBS Woman to Watch in Hospitality and a LIMA International Rising Star.

As Director, Business Development, Tanton will be based in the UK and support business development opportunities Worldwide across the RWS Global portfolio, including but not limited to show production, seasonal installations, master planning and design, brand toolkits, costume design, casting, operations and retail development.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Legacy Entertainment, the acclaimed designer of several of the world’s largest Theme Parks, Resorts, and Aquariums, will be making its Saudi Arabian debut at May’s Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) Expo in Riyadh, May 7-9. There, the company will debut its brand new Expo Booth, which has been custom designed specifically for the SEA event.

During the SEA Expo, Taylor Jeffs, Legacy’s President and Chief Creative Officer, will be delivering a keynote speech.

“Saudi Arabia is the most exciting market in the world right now,” said Eric Carnagey, Legacy’s Managing Director, as well as one of the firm’s owners. “With a combination of vision, talent, and access to capital, there is an opportunity there to transform the way the entire world experiences and consumes the next generation of location-based entertainment.”

Despite this being Legacy’s first public showcase in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the firm has been active in the region for several years. Currently, Legacy has four projects in the Middle East at various stages of design and construction.

Long known as a dominant themed attraction-design force throughout Asia, the executives at Legacy point out that they have been waiting for just the right opportunity before diving into the Saudi Arabian market

“A key part of Legacy’s success over the years has been exercising great discretion in selecting the exact right projects with the exact right partners,” Carnagey adds. “We have waited a long time for just the right opportunities in Saudi Arabia to present themselves, and we are confident that within the very near future, the Legacy brand will be successfully launched in this vital region with the strongest suite of new partners and projects imaginable!”

This year’s SEA Expo comes at a pivotal time for the bustling Saudi Arabian market. Despite there only being a few operating Theme Parks available in the region at this time, a recent YouGov study has indicated that 1 in 5 Saudi residents prefer Theme Parks as their go-to leisure destination. “This figure is remarkably strong for a market in its infancy and suggests a bright future for the various parks in that region which are currently under-construction, including Six Flags Qiddiya,” Carnagey concludes.

NIKITO has forged a dynamic partnership with Sacoa Cashless System, integrating their innovative products and services, such as Spark Readers and RFID PlayCards, to redefine guest experiences. Spanning an impressive 10,000 square meters, this location celebrated its grand opening on April 6th.

Hugo Perpere, CEO & founder of NIKITO, expressed his excitement for the incorporation of Sacoa’s technologies into their operations: “[…w]e’re thrilled to team up with Sacoa, introducing the latest in cashless innovations to NIKITO. Their advanced solutions seamlessly aligns with our needs, ensuring guests enjoy a smooth experience while optimizing our profitability.”

Pol Mochkovsky, CEO of Sacoa International, extended gratitude to NIKITO for selecting Sacoa as its cashless system provider: “We are honored to have been chosen by NIKITO to provide our state-of-the-art system,” Pol remarked. “Their exceptional FEC in France underscores their dedication to delivering outstanding entertainment, and we’re proud to contribute to their success.”

Situated in the Accessite Domus shopping center near Paris, in Rosny-sous-Bois, NIKITO DOMUS offers immersive activities tailored for guests of all ages.

ORLANDO, Fla. — This summer, Universal Orlando Resort will debut a captivating collection of new, must-see experiences that offer exciting entertainment for the whole family from day to night. The lineup of summertime adventures includes the June 14 grand opening of DreamWorks Land – the vibrant new themed environment inspired by beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda; CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular – a riveting new nighttime lagoon show; and Hogwarts Always -an all-new castle projection show in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade. And on July 3, guests will enjoy the debut of Universal’s largest daytime parade to date, Universal Mega Movie Parade.

“We are thrilled to debut an array of never-before-seen experiences for the entire family to enjoy from day to night,” said Karen Irwin, President & COO of Universal Orlando Resort. “These new experiences – coupled with the amazing attractions currently in our theme parks – will allow our guests to create lasting memories that will make this summer truly unforgettable.” 

Here are all the details about the new experiences coming to Universal Orlando Resort this summer:

CINESATIONAL: A SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR (Debuting June 14 at Universal Studios Florida)
The waters of the Universal Studios Florida lagoon will come to life with an all-new nighttime show, CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular. The exhilarating new show will celebrate the emotional power of music by leveraging the iconic scores and scenes from blockbuster films that have inspired Universal Orlando’s past, present and future attractions – including Warner Bros. Pictures Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, Jurassic World, Jaws, Shrek, Ghostbusters, Trolls, Back to the Future, Universal Monsters, Transformers, How to Train Your Dragon, E.T., Fast and Furious, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Minions, The Mummy and King Kong.

Just as awe-inspiring as the moments featured during CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular are the impressive collection of technologies and special effects that bring the show to life. The next-level lagoon show will feature 228 fountains that reach heights up to 131 feet, incredible 4K projection mapping, an original composition featuring newly arranged scores meticulously crafted to each scene, and more than 600 drones – all coming together to envelop guests in a breathtaking display of unforgettable cinematic moments.

UNIVERSAL MEGA MOVIE PARADE (Debuting July 3 at Universal Studios Florida)
Beginning July 3, some of the most beloved stories from Universal’s films will leap off the screen and land on the streets of Universal Studios Florida for Universal Mega Movie Parade – a spectacular celebration of iconic movies E.T., Back to the Future, Jaws, Ghostbusters, Jurassic World, Illumination’s Minions and Sing and DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls and Kung Fu Panda. Universal Mega Movie Parade will be Universal Orlando’s biggest daytime parade to date and combine 13 brand new floats, nearly 100 performers – including dancers, skaters, stilt walkers, poi performers and more – and special effects to create a jaw-dropping experience where guests can relive classic film moments in a whole new way.

Guests will watch in awe as they see the massive 16-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man atop the Ghostbusters float, the colorful Caterbus and giant rainbows on the vibrant Trolls float, a live marching drum line perform the iconic movie score of Jaws alongside a float themed to the film, and – for the epic finale – a Gyrosphere, Raptors and the fierce Tyrannosaurus rex aboard the Jurassic World float – and so much more.Fans should also pay close attention to the parade to see if they can spot additional details that nod to iconic elements from the films.

Universal Orlando’s Summer Tribute Store will complement the new parade experience and feature themed rooms, merchandise and photo ops inspired by some of the films that will be seen in the Universal Mega Movie Parade. More details about the Summer Tribute Store will be revealed soon.

HOGWARTS ALWAYS CASTLE PROJECTION SHOW IN THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER – HOGSMEADE (Debuting June 14 at Universal Islands of Adventure)
On select nights, guests visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade will delight in the nighttime extravaganza, Hogwarts Always – an incredible new projection show that will take guests on a journey through iconic moments of a school year at Hogwarts – all set against the majestic backdrop of Hogwarts castle. From supply shopping in Diagon Alley, and the exhilarating ride aboard the Hogwarts Express, to participating in the Sorting Ceremony, celebrating the House Cup winner and so much more, this visually stunning experience promises to captivate witches, wizards and Muggles of all ages.

The show will also feature four different endings that celebrate each Hogwarts house and will culminate with a colorful pyrotechnic display. Fans should also listen for dialogue from beloved characters like Professor Dumbledore, Hagrid, the Sorting Hat and more throughout the show.

DREAMWORKS LAND (Opening June 14 at Universal Studios Florida)
The highly-anticipated new DreamWorks Land will make its official debut on June 14 at Universal Studios Florida – inviting guests to explore the vivid worlds of some of DreamWorks Animation’s most beloved characters from Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda. The expansive new area will feature interactive play areas, character meet and greets, an all-new indoor live show experience, unique treats and photo-worthy moments that are fun for the whole family. Guests will be able to explore Shrek’s Swamp, enjoy the Trollercoaster, interact with Po in the Panda Village, encounter characters like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse and so much more. Plus, guests will be transported into the worlds of some of their favorite characters in DreamWorks Imagination Celebration – a multisensory live show that will bring beloved DreamWorks stories to life like never before. 

Starting now, guests visiting the parks can gear up for the amazing entertainment coming this summer with specialty merchandise celebrating the new experiences, including clothing, drinkware, headbands themed to beloved DreamWorks characters, and more. The selection also includes new original interactive bubble wands inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls and Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment’s Jurassic World.  The bubble wands will activate fun features when interacting with other wands and will also interact with select Universal Mega Movie Parade floats when the parade debuts on July 3. More details will be revealed in the next few months. 

Guests can take advantage of a variety of special offers to visit Universal Orlando this summer to experience the spectacular slate of new experiences plus all that the theme parks have to offer, including the 2-Park Play 4 Days ticket — which starts at $74 per day and includes admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. Stay tuned – additional Universal Orlando offers will be available soon.

Lehigh County Agricultural Society, Allentown, Pennsylvania, the owner and operator of The Great Allentown Fair announced that Staci Horvath has rejoined the organization as marketing specialist.  Horvath worked at the Society for 16 years in operations before departing in 2013 to pursue career opportunities in marketing.

Horvath’s experience aligns perfectly with her proven track record in marketing and sponsorship along with her vast knowledge of the overall organization itself. Her passion and commitment to the Society’s mission will allow her to make meaningful contributions to the Society.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — When the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo opens on Saturday, April 27th, it will mark the beginning of the 60th season. The season opening festivities will begin at 8:30 with a DJ in the plaza, Peacock Cafe opens early for morning beverages, and a ribbon cutting will officially open the Zoo at 9 am.

“We can’t wait for guests to come out and celebrate spring at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo,” says Executive Director, Rick Schuiteman. “It’s our 60^th season and we are so excited to have guests and members back in the Zoo.”

This season will include the opening of Coastal Cove, a sea lion and seal habitat. This reimagined and updated space will feature a new species to the Zoo with Harbor Seals to join the Zoo’s sea lions, Cassandra and Valkyrie. More details including ribbon cutting and exhibit opening announcements later this summer.

Wild Wednesdays are back and sponsored by Lassus. Every Wednesday, May through July the Zoo will be open until 8 pm! Wild Wednesday will also offer an Evening Admission option new this season. Visit the Zoo after 4 pm on Wild Wednesdays (May through July) for the best ticket value – evening tickets are only $12.

Guests don’t want to miss the opportunity to vote for their favorite Kids for Nature conservation project. Receive your free Zoo penny upon entering the Zoo to vote. This year’s featured animals from the Asian Trek: Marine Mammals, African Primates, and Marsupials.

Thanks to our guests and members, in 2023 the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo donated $272,000 to conservation projects and partners who protect wild animals and wild places locally and around the world.

“There’s something new at the Zoo every year that you won’t want to miss,” said Schuiteman. “We are ready for another fantastic season.”