News: Hersheypark Kicks Off Second Century of Happy

Posted at 11:09 AM EDT (1509 GMT)

Apr. 28th, 2008 -- HERSHEY, PA -  More than 2.7 million guests visited Hersheypark in 2007 and joined the festivities during its Centennial season. Now, as the Park launches its 101st season, guests can enjoy last year’s admission rates from May 2 through May 23.

Grand Opening Weekend is May 2 though May 4. The Park will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 2; from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 3; and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 4.

On May 2, the Park will debut the first of its two new rides for the 2008 season. Howler is a “Tornado” ride that allows riders to spin their cars to create their own ride experience. It has eight four-passenger, sphere-shaped cars that rotate counter-clockwise from a center base. As the rotation reaches 10 rpm, the ride lifts 7 ½ feet into the air at a 20-degree angle. The ride, manufactured by Wisdom Industries, Ltd., will be located in the Park’s Pioneer Frontier area. 
In addition to the new ride, guests will be treated to the season debut of Lightning Strike in the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre. Produced by award-winning SRO Associates of San Antonio, Texas, Lightning Strike features two singer/dancers, four drummers, and a guitar player. This high-energy show combines giant-sized danceable drums and video special effects as music and rhythm truly take flight.

New for the 2008 season, guests arriving 10 minutes prior to the featured entertainment in the Chevrolet Music Box Theatre can enjoy a pre-show screening of Hersheypark Happy Through the Years. This short film highlights the enduring legacy of Milton S. Hershey's proudest accomplishment – the founding of the Milton Hershey School – and the rich history of Hersheypark.

Returning for the 2008 Park season is The Great Candy Caper, featuring Scales Washburn and his comical gang of divers who search for the priceless “chocolate pearl.” This non-stop show features two sea lion detectives in an entertaining and educational performance that keeps audience members on the edge of their seats at the Hersheypark Aquatheatre.

The grand-opening fun will continue all weekend long with performances by Everclear, a 1990s rock band, in the Hersheypark Amphitheatre on Saturday, May 3. Show times are 4 and 6:30 p.m. and are included in Park admission.

 On Sunday, May 4, Matt Nathanson, a modern independent artist who captivates audiences with his confessional songs, will perform in the Amphitheatre at 4 and 6:30 p.m.

The wide variety of Hersheypark entertainment compliments its more than 65 rides and attractions in offering something to delight every member of the family.

On Saturday, May 24, the number of roller coasters at Hersheypark will increase to 11 with the debut of the Park’s second new ride for the 2008 season. Fahrenheit, a “vertical-lift, inverted-loop coaster,” features a staggering 97-degree first drop – the steepest drop of any coaster in the United States. The Boardwalk at Hersheypark also will open on that date, so Park guests can “heat up” with Fahrenheit and “cool down” with the Boardwalk starting on May 24. That is also the date that the 2008 admission price structure will take effect.

For more information on the 2008 Hersheypark season and admission rates, please visit Hersheypark.com or call 1-800-HERSHEY.

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