More exciting news awaits when Scandinavia’s biggest summerland opens its doors for the 45th season. Experience Easter days from Monday 14 April to Monday 21 April as Djurs Sommerland is opening during the Easter holidays for the first time ever. At the same time, Denmark’s first adventure trail launches – a spectacular new attraction for the whole family. The season ends with a third, new experience with Djurs Sommerland After Dark in the autumn holidays.

Djurs Sommerland is known for big news announcements and renewal of the park year after year, and 2025 will leave no exceptions. This year, the family-owned summerland is again investing in new, excellent experiences in the quest to be Denmark’s best summerland for kids of all ages.

Easter days in Djurs Sommerland – open during the Easter holidays for the first time
“For the very first time, we open at Easter with Easter days in Djurs Sommerland, which can be experienced from 14 April to 21 April. Families with children can look forward to a complete Easter experience in the park when we, among other things, decorate the park with hundreds of oversized Easter eggs and thousands of spring flowers. It will be the perfect occasion for the whole family to enjoy the spring and have fun together in all our rides”, says CEO Henrik B. Nielsen.

Expectations for Easter days in Djurs Sommerland are high, especially if the spring weather is good. News that the tourism industry in East Jutland also welcomes.

“Djurs Sommerland is a beacon for tourism in Denmark, and it is of great importance for the entire tourism industry that we continue to innovate. Easter days in Djurs Sommerland is a good example of this. Initiatives that attract guests outside the high season are extremely welcome and mean that there are even more reasons to visit our destination all year”, says CEO of VisitAarhus Pia Lange Christensen.

Camino del Sol – Denmark’s first adventure trail
Djurs Sommerland is also unveiling Denmark’s first adventure trail, named Camino del Sol. A half kilometer-long adventurous trip with temples, mazes, waterfalls, and deep canyons. The ambitious project has been developed in collaboration with international experts from England and the Netherlands and is inspired by adventure trails in foreign parks, where they are extremely popular.

“Camino del Sol matches the DNA of Djurs Sommerland perfectly and what we derive from being physically active to be entertained. At the same time, the new attraction matches our high demands for quality and theming.

It is excellent that we can bring being physically active to be entertained to a completely new level of experience that can’t be found in Scandinavia”, says Henrik B. Nielsen.

Camino del Sol is placed in the themed area Mexicoland, and it brings you right up close to Denmark’s longest roller coaster, Juvelen, as well as the impressive drop tower, El Grito, which was voted the “Best new ride in Europe 2024”.

“There is no doubt that Camino del Sol will be an activity for the senses. With a theme that reaches new heights, lots of exciting challenges, and surprising elements along the way, where both El Grito and Juvelen are integrated into the experience, I promise that it will be a fantastic expedition for the guests”, says Henrik B. Nielsen,

who emphasizes that adventure trail can’t be compared to obstacle courses in the traditional sense.

New for the autumn holidays: Djurs Sommerland After Dark – Fun for the whole family
During the autumn holidays, Djurs Sommerland is traditionally transformed into one of Denmark’s biggest Halloween experiences. The park is transformed and filled with 40,000 pumpkins, as well as encounters with rattling skeletons, cackling witches, and giant spiders – Magical Halloween can be experienced during daytime from

10:00-18:00. When darkness falls, guests can experience Djurs Sommerland After Dark for the first time ever from 11 October to 18 October from 18:00-21:00. The entire park is transforming into a dazzling adventure of light and colour.

“We are looking forward to presenting even more magic, mystery, and excitement to our more than 100,000 guests during the autumn holidays, when Djurs Sommerland After Dark launched. Our goal is to create a sparkling adventure of sound and light for the whole family to explore. And for the first time, guests can hop on one of our many rides and hurtle off into the dark. It will be both exciting, enchanting and magical”, says Henrik B. Nielsen.

In the season of 2025, there will be 115 opening days from 14 April to 19 October, and about 900.000 guests from both Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands are expected to visit

Djurs Sommerland – Scandinavia’s biggest summerland.

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada — The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) is proud to announce that eight members of the IAFE were designated as a Certified Fair Executive (CFE) during the 2025 IAFE Management Conference.

The newly certified individuals are:

• Michelle Butler, IFMG, CFE, Minnesota State Fair
• Cheryl Flood, IFMG, CFE, Florida State Fair
• Cheryle Hartley, IFMG, CFE, Carolina Classic Fair
• Cary Hester, IFMG, CFE, Carolina Classic Fair, NC
• Casey Owen, IFMG, CFE, Ozark Empire Fair, MO
• Abby Villas, IFMG, CFE, Tennessee Valley Fair
• Rhonda Ward, IFMG, CFE, Collier Fair, FL
• Mindy Williamson, IFMG, CFE, Iowa State Fair

This certification program provides incentives for professional improvement in fair management, recognizes those who achieve the specific standards, and develops 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 IAFE.

To earn the CFE designation, these individuals completed a rigorous certification process that included an application that documented professional experience and achievements, followed by a thorough review by the certification committee. He/she is also a graduate of the Institute of Fair Management (IFM), a requirement to receive a CFE designation. The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), based in Springfield, Mo., is a voluntary, nonprofit corporation, serving state, provincial, regional, and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions. Its associate members include state and provincial associations of fairs, non-agricultural expositions and festivals, associations, corporations, and individuals engaged in providing products and services to its members, all of whom are interested in the improvement of fairs, shows, expositions, and allied fields.

BOWIE, Md. — Six Flags America announced today the details of park enhancements that guests can look forward to during the 2025 season. Guests can expect an expanded ride offering, faster and smoother ride operations and enhancements throughout the property including new food items and updated entertainment that guests can experience for the first time during Spring Break week, this week.

“We’ve spent the off-season working to elevate our guest experience with notable improvements across many areas of the park,” said Ramar Vaughan, general manager of Six Flags America. “Guests can expect shorter wait times, building improvements, and a more enjoyable park ambiance throughout the 2025 season.”

The 2025 enhancements include:

Rides

• SUPERMAN: Ride of Steel – The park’s 207-foot-tall signature roller coaster will be equipped with two new trains, one of which is already in place on the ride. The second train will be added later this summer to increase capacity and reduce wait time for guests.
• THE JOKERS Jinx – The park’s launch coaster is receiving upgrades to its propulsion system that will provide a more thrilling experience and allow the ride to operate two trains for less wait time. Upgrades are anticipated to be finished later this spring.
• Riddle Me This – This classic spinning ride has been refurbished and will reopen later this spring following a hiatus in 2024.
• Shipwreck Falls – Refurbishments to this classic water ride are underway, and it is expected to drench guests once again later this spring.

Food & Beverage

• New menu items:
  • Gator McGee’s Bistro adds a grilled chicken po’boy and a shrimp po’boy to its delicious lineup of offerings.
  • Fillament’s Steam Pub adds a mouthwatering pulled pork sandwich to its menu.

Entertainment

• Rhythmix – The high-energy dance experience at the Grand Theatre received some updates this off season that will pack even more energy and surprises. This edge-of-your-seat show fuses music and culture from countries around the world with cutting-edge effects, lights and dancing.
• Returning Shows – Fan-favorite shows returning this year, include:
  • Camp Groove – An interactive dance and activity show for children and parents.
  • Block Party – Opening this summer, this energetic dance-along party takes place at Celebration Stage.
  • SteamHeist – Opening this summer, learn the story of SteamTown and how Professor Screamore protected his secrets before unveiling them to the world.

Other Enhancements: Guests can expect to see beautification efforts throughout the park, with upgrades in the parking lot, the exterior of the Grand Theater, landscaping and restrooms in select locations.

Operating Calendar Highlights:

• April 12 ─ Opening Day: The park opens for the season on April 12.
• April 12 to 21 ─ Spring Break Days: Spring Break will be full of thrilling rides, diverse dining and exciting experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.
• May 24 to Sept. 6 ─ Hurricane Harbor Opens: The water park opens with rides and entertainment for all ages, including the latest addition RipQurl Blaster, the mid-Atlantic’s tallest Master Blaster water coaster.
• May 31 to June 29 ─ Viva La Fiesta: This vibrant festival returns with exciting live entertainment, authentic dishes and beverages, and special activities that the whole family will enjoy.
• June 19 ─ Juneteenth Celebration: Six Flags America commemorates this special holiday with local entertainment, community vendors and a fireworks spectacular.
• NEW! July 4 & 5 ─ Star-Spangled Nights: Experience two nights of breathtaking fireworks synchronized to patriotic music for an awe-inspiring celebration of America.
• Sept. 13 to Nov. 2 ─ Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS®: Thrills and chills return to Six Flags America during Fright Fest. Complete with a haunting landscape, scare zones and hair-raising attractions. Available weekends and select days.
• Sept. 13 to Nov. 2 ─ Kids Boo Fest: The Halloween-themed event for little ghosts and ghouls returns with kid-friendly entertainment, special activities, trick-or-treat trail and more. Available weekends and select days.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — In celebration of one of Hollywood’s most distinguished and accomplished actresses, Madame Tussauds Hollywood is proud to reveal a stunning new wax figure of EGOT winner Viola Davis. Renowned for her commanding performances and groundbreaking achievements, Davis made history as the youngest person and first African American to earn the prestigious Triple Crown of Acting—an Academy Award, an Emmy Award and two Tony Awards. The actress and producer is best known for her roles in highly acclaimed films and TV shows, including The Woman King, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Doubt, The Help, How To Get Away With Murder and more. With her career continuing to soar, she is set to take on the leading role in the highly anticipated film G20, out on Amazon Prime beginning April 10. 

To make sure every detail of her figure was meticulously crafted, Davis sat down with the creative team, including sculptors, colorists, hairdressers, and stylists, who took approximately 200 measurements and photographs from every angle to ensure accuracy of her exact facial and physical features. 

“This is what art is supposed to do. This is how art is supposed to make you feel,” said Davis. “It’s transcendental. It goes far beyond anything you could imagine in an earthly realm.”

The new figure is dressed in the striking red Giorgio Armani Privé gown she wore to the 2017 Oscars, a night where she took home the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Fences. From her platform sneakers to a precise replica of her gold jewelry, including her wedding ring, every detail was considered to capture Davis’s signature elegance and presence with incredible accuracy.

“Viola Davis continues to captivate audiences worldwide with her powerful performances and extraordinary talent,” said General Manager of Madame Tussauds Hollywood Tom Middleton. “This figure is a tribute to her lasting influence in the entertainment industry, giving fans a unique opportunity to celebrate her legacy and connect with her brilliance like never before.”

Before its official reveal at Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Davis came face-to-face with her wax figure, a moment that honored her extraordinary career and powerful presence on screen. Now on display, the figure serves as a tribute to Davis’s lasting impact on the entertainment industry, offering guests a unique opportunity to engage with her legacy in an immersive and personal way.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The International Adventure of Trampoline Parks (IATP) is pleased to announce the continuation of its exclusive partnership with The Insurance Center, offering IATP members access to discounted insurance rates tailored specifically for trampoline and adventure parks. This ongoing collaboration ensures that IATP members continue to receive competitive rates and comprehensive coverage for their businesses.

As part of this exclusive member benefit, trampoline and adventure park owners will continue to have access to specialized insurance solutions, including liability, property, workers’ compensation, and more. The Insurance Center’s deep understanding of the trampoline and adventure park industry ensures that IATP members are receiving the best coverage options available at discounted rates.

Why Join the IATP Today?

• Exclusive Discounts: IATP members benefit from continued access to discounted insurance rates through The Insurance Center, helping you save on essential coverage.
• Tailored Coverage: The Insurance Center offers policies that are specifically designed to meet the needs of trampoline and adventure parks, providing comprehensive protection for your business.
• Industry Networking and Resources: Joining the IATP means gaining access to a strong network of industry professionals and valuable resources to support the growth and success of your trampoline or adventure park.

Quotes:

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Insurance Center, which has provided exceptional value to our members. Access to discounted, tailored insurance coverage is just one of the many benefits of being part of the IATP community. We’re committed to helping our members save and grow their businesses with the best resources available.”
– Philip Slaggert, Chair, IATP

“The Insurance Center has always been proud to serve the trampoline and adventure park industry, and we’re excited to continue supporting IATP members with customized, cost-effective insurance solutions. Our team understands the unique needs of this industry and we are dedicated to helping IATP members ensure their businesses are properly protected at competitive rates.”
– Shawn Iverson, Principal, The Insurance Center

By continuing this exclusive partnership, IATP members can take advantage of significant savings while ensuring their businesses are properly protected. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom announced today that it will once again work with Tickets for Kids Charities to distribute a thousand complimentary single-day admission tickets for the 2025 season. Dorney Park estimates that the total contribution is worth over 70-thousand dollars.

Public Relations Manager Ryan Eldredge says they are increasing the number of tickets donated this year to the organization in order to expand access to the thrills of the park.

“We remain committed to our region and the children who live here,” said Eldredge. “As we did in 2024 we will continue to give back and to find ways to help our community. Expanding access to the park and providing opportunities to those less fortunate is just one way that we can show that Dorney Park Cares.”

Tickets for Kids provides free access for low-income and at-risk kids to attend the arts, cultural, educational, and athletic venues of their community.  The organization’s mission is to inspire hope, dreams, and achievements for a lifetime.

“We are extremely thankful to have the opportunity to continue our great relationship with Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom for another summer. As we continue to grow and expand further into the eastern part of Pennsylvania, it is wonderful to know that we have partner organizations committed to our mission, standing by our side.” Brandice E. Miller, Executive Director, Tickets for Kids Charities

The partnership will begin when Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom opens to the public for the season on Friday, May 9, 2025.

At the top of the list of highlights for the park in 2025 is the history-making roller coaster Iron Menace, as well as a Wildwater Kingdom enhancement project which will feature upgraded dining, retail, and sliding experiences.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — An 18-hole Modular Advantage Mini Golf course was recently designed and installed by Adventure Golf & Sports (AGS) at the 188-acre Lake Arvesta Farms in South Haven, Michigan. The course features a variety of obstacles inspired by the crops and land of west Michigan from beach balls, driftwood, a blueberry harvester, firetruck and a lighthouse, to farm implements and crates used for transporting fruits to a garden hole with vegetables planted on all sides of the hole. The course also features a “buried building” on one mini golf hole that recalls the shifting sands that buried the Michigan shoreline town of Singapore in the late 19^th century.

The course design was inspired by a color rendering of a mini golf course designed by owner Brian deBest hanging in his current office for over 25 years. The rendering was of a proposed mini golf course he and a partner had proposed for downtown South Haven that never materialized. However, acreage deBest originally purchased for his lawn maintenance, excavating and landscaping business to mine sand for a housing subdivision, was eventually repurposed for a water park that grew into a sports complex.

At Lake Arvesta Farms, the mini golf course joins a sizable aqua park with giant water slides, floating obstacle courses, cable wakeboarding, kayaking and paddle boarding, along with 12 pickleball courts (3 indoor, 9 outdoor), the longest Disc Golf course in North America (54 holes), shuffleboard, ping-pong, air hockey, corn-hole, bounce houses and trolley rides as well as a concession stand and full restaurant / bar.

“I said, ‘If we’re going to build a waterpark, it’s going to have a golf course on it,’” says deBest. “And when we started designing the waterpark, I wanted the golf course to be on a hillside so when you’re at the waterpark or you drive in to the water park, that is the backdrop of the facility. I had the concept but I didn’t have the initiative to do it on my own. That’s when I got in contact with Adventure Golf and Sports and asked if they would consider doing it. AGS said ‘we would consider doing it but we’ve never put one on a hillside before of that caliber and do you realize there are laws for handicap accessibility that play a role?’ And I replied ‘No, I didn’t, but I feel we have enough space and enough land that we can put it together. And that’s how we got to where we are today.’”

According to Adventure Golf & Sports (AGS), the Modular Advantage Mini Golf course they installed at Lake Arvesta Farms uses patented, high-density polyethylene modular interlocking panels that are permeable for fast and easy water drainage. The panels can create all the contours, undulations, water and theme elements historically seen on courses constructed using cement, but avoid the pitfalls of concrete construction like excavation that could require removal or damage of nearby flora and fauna, freeze/thaw cracking and water pooling that can cause slipping hazards.

“The mini golf course is on a big man-made hill that took 280,000 yards of clay to build,” says Brian deBest. “We have the capability of running cement trucks up, but it would have been

a lot harder. I know clay moves and I just like the concept that the AGS course was modular and it could flex and not crack. I’ve played several golf courses across the country to see what was right, what was wrong, and to get some ideas over the last 25 years. Cement cracks and carpet wears out. And they (AGS) told me ‘Use this modular course. The carpet (synthetic turf) doesn’t wear out as much because the water drains off of it and it can flex.’ What was intriguing to me was that, if we wish, we can always tweak it and move it around a little bit compared to pouring cement where it’s permanent.”

According to deBest, the course has several par 3s and par 4s and the holes are not all on the same elevation with some of the greens having a three-foot elevated change. There are faux sand traps on the course with a full waterfall that goes through the entire course.

deBest says “The bottom nine holes are handicap accessible. The greens are not green, they’re beige to look like sand and there’s no grass around them. It’s all beach-themed.” The themes include a sand castle hole, beach balls, lighthouse, buoys, kites, driftwood, sailboat, sandbox and the 18th hole of the course features a sand-covered building where the golf balls drop into the building to recall the sunken Michigan town of Singapore.

“Then when you go up to the top of the hill, we’re back to green holes,” says deBest. Hole themes include a fishing hole, crate hole building with a “live” roof, garden hole, farm implement hole, firetruck hole, old farm wheels, a South Haven-built blueberry harvester among a local variety of blueberry bushes, and an open-theme hole that invites players to suggest a theme.

“We wanted to expose our tourist guests coming from Chicago, Canadian cities and all over the country to the nature of west Michigan. Here, guests can play through rows of corn, Indian corn, green beans, strawberries, blueberries and other fruits and vegetables so they can see how that is grown. And we have a sign saying, ‘we use what we can at our restaurant so it’s farm to table.’ I wanted a lighthouse because South Haven is known for its lighthouse so we tried putting in different themes to portray what this area is like.

“We had the ideas for many years and I knew what I wanted for themes, but I wanted to make sure we put the holes in that weren’t too challenging but challenging enough to draw a crowd and that’s why Adventure Golf came into play because I just wanted those done right.”

deBest also saw the opportunity to promote his legacy landscaping business with the mini golf course as well. “Our office has always been about landscape, but we didn’t have a display area that showed off different types of stone, brick and material like that, and I just felt it was the way to tie our business and an attraction together….We did not sub-contract any theme elements for the mini golf course. All the retaining walls and walkways were built by deBest Inc. employees. And we used four different colors of Porous Pave for the walkways and we did it in different ways so we can use it as a tool to sell it… And we’re using different methods of retaining walls…We’ve actually got 27 different retaining walls (on the course) but they’re all different…Where else can you go to see such a variety of retaining walls at one place to choose for your own property?”

Although the course opened in 2024, deBest says, “We’re hoping for a great start in 2025. We’re known for a waterpark and that is an amenity to the waterpark, but we’ve got to do some marketing to reach people who are looking for mini golf to let them know what we have here. Not ‘come to the waterpark and there’s mini golf here.’ We’ve got to do marketing specifically for the mini golf to get our numbers where they need to be.”

And guest reactions last year? “Wow!” exclaims deBest. “We’ve had people that drive across the country to play mini golf and they say they’ve never played anything quite like it.”

WHAT: 
Hersheypark springs back to life this weekend when it opens on Saturday, April 5, at 11 a.m. for its 119th operating year. The largest amusement park in Pennsylvania will be open for seven Spring Weekends through May 18, with extended hours over Easter Weekend, before the summer season begins May 22. 

Tickets include more than 50 rides with the most coasters in the Northeast, Hershey Character selfies, seal and sea lion shows, ZooAmerica visits and endless Hersheypark Happy. 

ONLY-IN-HERSHEY SPRING OFFERINGS:
Hersheypark offers more than 50 spring attractions (weather permitting) with 14 coasters, 20 kiddie rides and family favorites like the Ferris Wheel and Kissing Tower (celebrating 50 years). 

Tickets used during Spring Weekends also include meet and greets with iconic characters Hershey Bar and Reese, Our Friends From The Sea shows featuring marine animals with special needs and entrance to ZooAmerica to see dozens of North American animals.

Hersheypark will also debut sweet and savory food and beverage offerings this spring, including new sundaes, new King Size Shake flavors topped with baked goods and a new Twisted French Fry Flight in celebration of Twizzlers Twisted Gravity opening this summer.

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — Zach Williams and legendary Christian rock band Skillet headline Dollywood’s popular contemporary Christian music event, Rock the Smokies, with multiple shows set to take place in Celebrity Theater on Saturday, Aug. 23. 

One of contemporary Christian music’s most well-known names, Zach Williams has become known for chart-toppers—including “There Was Jesus,” a collaboration with Dollywood’s Dreamer-in-Chief Dolly Parton—that tell the story of how God’s love and guidance changed his life. While on tour with the Southern rock band he co-founded, Williams knew he needed to follow another path.

“I can remember walking through the front door crying after I got back from that tour. I apologized to my wife and my kids. I asked God to be the Lord of my life, and things started to change,” he says. “I remember getting on my knees praying, saying ‘I don’t care if I don’t do music again. I will find a job, go to church, and be a good dad…One thing after another, God showed up.”

Williams said he’s thankful for the second chance and prioritizes his wife and kids over his career saying, “Now, I won’t play anywhere where they can’t come along.” The opportunity to perform at Rock the Smokies provides Williams’ family a great place to play while dad is at work.

Contemporary Christian rock band Skillet co-headlines the Rock the Smokies concerts. The Dove Award-winning and Grammy-nominated group was formed in 1996 and has transcended music genres with their songs featured in places beyond the Christian radio airwaves.

Guests can expect to hear songs from Skillet’s newest album, Revolution, alongside their multi-platinum hits, including “Monster,” “Hero,” “Awake and Alive,” and “Feel Invincible.”  

“We are excited to be at Rock the Smokies this year at Dollywood. We look forward to rocking out alongside some other great artists, like Zach Williams,” said John Cooper of Skillet. “We love whenever we get the opportunity to play in our new home state and you know that we need to have that famous cinnamon bread at Dollywood. Let’s rock!”

Additionally, Rock the Smokies features several other contemporary Christian artists performing on stages throughout the park. Those artists include Alexander Pappas, Micah Christopher, Ivey Asher, and Sansone. All performances outside of Celebrity Theater are free with park admission. Dr. Joy Greene serves as the emcee of the Celebrity Theater performances.

Tickets for the headline events are extremely popular, and premium seats tend to sell out quickly. Pre-sale begins Thursday, April 10, with tickets on sale to the general public on Friday, April 11. Tickets are good for seats in Celebrity Theater shows only; all other general admission concerts are first come, first served. Guests can save $19 on tickets purchased during the Super Early Bird promotion available through June 27.

Photo opportunities are available through the platinum VIP package. Special Dollywood season passholder pricing also is available on the event website, rockthesmokiesfest.com

Embed is the AAMA Supplier of the Year Award winner, a testament to the company’s commitment to layering value for members of the Embed family through constant innovation of solutions FEC operators can trust and maximise to enable, empower, and ease their business of fun. “We are honoured to be recognised for this esteemed award. We are grateful beyond words to our partners and the members of the Embed family for making this possible!” says Sara Paz, CMO and Growth Officer at Embed.