Cedar Fair, one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world, has acquired Paramount’s Great America in Santa Clara along with four other theme parks in the U.S. and Canada.  The company assumed control of Great America on July 1.  Cedar Fair is a publicly traded company that owns and operates 11 other amusement parks, five water parks, one indoor water park resort and six hotels.

The City of Santa Clara still maintains ownership of the land and holds the lease with the amusement park that generates about $5.3 million a year in base rent that goes into the General Fund. 

There’s nonstop family fun at Great America, open weekends only through November 5.  Special activities at the park this fall include:

• Labor Day fireworks display on Sunday, Sept. 3.
• The Nickelodeon Celebration Parade weekends Sept. 2-Oct. 29 featuring 20 Nickelodeon characters, a cast of nearly 100 performers, seven colorful floats and a free 30-minute spectacular parade.
• Fire Prevention Week Kick-Off Day on Sunday, Oct. 8.  Displays of antique and current fire apparatus, and fire prevention information for children and adults.  See the related article and discount admission coupon found on page 5.
• Nick or Treat™ Halloween extravaganza Oct. 14-15, 21-22, and 28-29.  Kids 12 and under are encouraged to wear costumes and trick-or-treat and enjoy special rides and games.