Six Flags announced today that Thomas Town, a newly-themed area based on the well-known Thomas & Friends brand, will open to the public on Memorial Day weekend at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and early summer at Six Flags New England.

Devoted to entertaining parents and children, the half-acre Thomas Town will feature a real Thomas the Tank Engine replica that guests can ride, a Harold the Helicopter ride and a Bertie the Bus ride. Sir Topham Hat, controller of the railway, will also be on hand to pose for photos and greet visitors on their journey through life-sized models of Thomas' mythical home on the Island of Sodor, and Thomas & Friends stores will feature merchandise.

"Thomas & Friends is part of the exciting season we have planned for 2007, when we continue our mission of making the Six Flags brand synonymous with an entertainment experience that delivers for the entire family," said Mark Sharpiro, Six Flags president and CEO. "Parents and children alike will revel in the chance to spend time in the world of Thomas & Friends, from rides to characters to photos and favorite merchandise, a unique opportunity they will only find at Six Flags."

Marc Schneider, Senior Vice President & General Manager for HIT Entertainment who spearheaded the agreement commented, "Six Flags theme parks have been providing families with quality entertainment for more than 40 years and w're excited to work with them to debut all-new Thomas Town play areas at their parks. This beloved character has engaged and inspired preschoolers' imaginations for more than six decades and will certainly offer a rich, exciting world for children and their parents to enjoy, as families look for more ways to spend quality time together."

Thomas Town is the latest offering for the 2007 season in which Six Flags Discovery Kingdom has been revamped and re-imagined as never before. New to park this year are the aforementioned Land, Sea and Sky themed areas to orient guests through the park; the Animal Outpost, where guests can get their first up-close encounter with an exotic animal; the Explorers Outpost where they can sign up to feed giraffes or ride an elephant with the Seafari Pass, see all new shows such as the Shouka, killer whale show; the Looney Tunes Talent show and much more.

"The park will look different, feel different and be different," said Martin Lathrop, park president. "And with the addition of Thomas Town, we have expanded our kids' play areas, which include Tava's Jungleland, which opened last year, and our Looney Tunes Seaport fun area."