News: Oktoberfest approaches at Great Escape

Posted at 2:29 AM EDT (0629 GMT)

Sep. 8th, 2004 -- Press Release from The Great Escape

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y., September 7, 2004 – The Great Escape’s traditional salute to Bavarian culture, featuring German garb, grub, music and beer, will permeate the Lake George theme park on the weekends of September 18 and 19, and September 25 and 26, during the 17th annual Oktoberfest celebration. The park will be open for Oktoberfest from noon – 10 p.m. on Saturdays and noon – 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Bringing the sights and sounds of the popular European country to the foothills of the Adirondacks, Oktoberfest will offer a variety of Bavarian-themed entertainment, including popular bands, strolling musicians, rich food and authentic craft vendors, all of whom will be located primarily in the Bavarian Palace and German Beer Garden.

Emceed by Mike Killmer, on loan from Trump’s Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, N.J., The Great Escape’s Oktoberfest will feature traditional Bavarian dancers as well as several bands specializing in German music and entertainment including: the Mississauga Express Band (from Canada) performing a special blend of international music; the Dominos International Orchestra, featuring traditional and modern German favorites to swing, big band, rock and country rhythms; the Matt Lebar Orchestra, performing traditional and folk polka music; and Fritz's Polka Band, the first polka band to play at the Woodstock Festival.

All concerts will take place in the Bavarian Palace during the two weekends of Oktoberfest.  (For an exact schedule of times and performances, visit The Great Escape’s website at sixflags.com/greatescape.

In addition, authentic German entertainer Erik Baal will perform live in the German Beer Garden between 12:30 – 7:30 p.m., all four days of Oktoberfest.

The weekend celebrations of German culture will also feature various food vendors selling the best German-inspired fare.  Visitors can sing anddance, then indulge in some of the favorite foods of the Bavarian region, such as bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerbraten, apple strudel, and more.

Also accompanying the entertainment will be the ever-popular German beer slides!.

In addition to Oktoberfest, visitors can also enjoy the park’s many rides, shows and attractions as The Great Escape moves into the fall celebration of its 50th anniversary.  Founded as Storytown U.S.A., in 1954, the park first opened its gates as a five-acre theme park before expanding to today include a myriad of entertainment and activities, such as a water park and six roller coasters, including the famed Comet, one of the original wooden coasters and perennially selected as one of the top ten in the world.

Six Flags, Inc. is the world’s largest regional theme park company. Through its subsidiaries, it owns and operates a total of 31 parks in North America and Europe. Six Flags parks serve 34 of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly held corporation with corporate offices in New York City and Oklahoma City. The Company’s stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol: PKS.

For more information regarding the fireworks display and other 50th Anniversary festivities, call (518) 792-3500 or log on to sixflags.com.###

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