Latest news with #WildWest-themed
Los Angeles Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
From ‘Ghost Town Alive!' to ‘Summer Nights' band performances, season of easy living opens at Knott's
Summer at Knott's is here with Wild West-themed character interactions, nightly live music and lots of dancing. Ghost Town Alive! runs during the day — culminating with a family-friendly, dance-filled hoedown full of step-heeling and grape-vining through Calico Park. Meanwhile, Knott's Summer Nights livens up the evening and night with bands and performers at multiple stages throughout the park. The two summer events launched June 13 and run through Sept. 1. 'Summer Nights has been entertaining our guests since 2019 and since then we've seen the [evolution] of new bands, new music and of course great fun for all of our guests,' said producer Christopher Do. 'Ghost Town Alive has been running since 2016, the 75th anniversary of Ghost Town. Some of the citizens have changed throughout the years as a new storyline is presented with each subsequent year.' Do said guests can expect a mix of new and returning live music for this year's Knott's Summer Nights. 'We're excited to introduce some new bands to the mix,' he said. '90s Rockshow was a guest favorite last year and this year guests can find them at the Calico Mine Stage. Also joining this year at the Calico Mine Stage is Midnight Regret playing some familiar top '40s hits. At the Calico Park stage, we are welcoming a few new bands: the Ritchie Hummins Band, Tommy Drinkard & the Remedy as well as some returning favorites like Jonathan Stout and his Campus Five, and Stone Soul.' There are also some fun returning games including Fla-ringo, Cornhole and Zing That Ring — a habit-forming hook-and-ring game located on the outskirts of the Calico Mine Stage. Also at the Calico Mine Stage, Do said, they are introducing some new pay-to-play games with special prizes developed by the Knott's Games department. In addition to the big hoedown, Ghost Town Alive! also features a whole Ghost Town full of characters and activities — from the fire wagon coming through with some water misting to interactions in the dress shop and visits to The Old School House. Characters may elicit the help of guests in secret missions and puzzle-solving. 'The puzzles and immersive elements of Ghost Town Alive! are designed to appeal to every level of guest — from the casual observer to the deep diver or returning guest,' Do said. 'Often, our citizens may use puzzles to help deepen the experience of any one of our guests.' Show Director Rovin Dickinson said acting in Ghost Town Alive! is different from other forms of performing in that it requires making the guest the star in their story and sometimes the focus of attention — the role usually reserved for the actor. 'Each guest is different, and every interaction unique. For the performer, it may be challenging at times to be the supporting role in several different experiences at once,' Dickinson said. 'Our citizens are great at meeting our guests where they are at, encouraging them to engage as much or as little as they desire. It's sometimes as simple and as a quick question of what they're doing or if they can help with a task to get them engulfed into the story.' Of course, as with other big seasonal events at Knott's, food is a big part of the fun. Director of Food and Beverage Wilf Seymour said 40 new menu items were added in time for their Flavors of Summer. 'This summer, we will be trying out some new summer favorites with a Knott's twist. Blue Bunny is our ice cream supplier, and our pastry chef took inspiration from the strawberry shortcake bar and turned it into a new dessert called the strawberry crunch bar,' he said. 'We serve a lot of elotes during the summer, so we've decided to include it as a topping on our new summer pizza — the delicious roasted elote and chicken pizza with chipotle mayo.' They've also added kimchi crab tots — tater tots tossed in Cajun seasoning topped with imitation crab meat, kimchi, spicy mayo and green onions. 'Fresh berries are always popular during the summer. We have topped our fresh funnel cakes with lots of fresh berries for the new berry bliss funnel cake found at Sutter's Funnel Cake,' Seymour said. 'We have some great new beverages coming for the summer, like the juicy pale ale. We also have some great Italian sodas at Prop Shop Pizzeria.' Another intriguing new item is the grilled pineapple beef burger. 'The grilled pineapple beef burger was based on a Hawaiian grill idea we were playing with,' he said. 'We wanted to make pineapple chicken, and then we tried a teriyaki beef dish that we had planned to do at Boardwalk. However, we needed a signature burger for the summer, and this led us down the path of experimenting with these ideas on a burger.' The Tajin funnel cake was also a bit of inspired experimentation. 'We love to experiment with different combinations for our funnel cakes here, and the inspiration for the mango soft serve and Tajin funnel cake came from a mangonada, as well as a spicy funnel cake we served last year,' he said. 'We wanted to pair these two flavors together.' Seymour said the summer menu is a 'fun creation' and captures many of the summer flavors that guests enjoy. 'We have had the opportunity to taste everything a few times and make some adjustments that make the menu items fit nicely into our theme park world,' he said.
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Cursed ‘ghost town in sky' could soon reopen after rotting away with 1,050m-high rollercoaster & abandoned empty saloons
The park hosted several stars of TV Westerns, such as Laramie and Wagon Train SCREAM PARK Cursed 'ghost town in sky' could soon reopen after rotting away with 1,050m-high rollercoaster & abandoned empty saloons Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A CURSED "ghost town in sky" could soon reopen after rotting away for 15 years. The rundown attraction includes a death-defying 1,050m-high rollercoaster and abandoned empty saloons. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A cursed "ghost town in sky" could soon reopen after its been rotting away for 15 years 4 The rundown attraction includes a death defying 1,050m-high rollercoaster and abandoned empty saloons 4 The theme park first opened in the early 1960's 4 The park hosted several stars of TV Westerns, such as Laramie and Wagon Train Ghost Town Village, formerly known as "Ghost Town in the Sky", is an abandoned Wild West-themed amusement park in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, United States. It sits atop Buck Mountain, with a top elevation of 4,650 ft. The land to build the park was purchased from a local land owner named Uncle Dan Carpenter in 1960. Folklore says that R.B. Coburn had overheard a story of Uncle Dan Carpenter losing his sheep in a large cavern on top of Buck Mountain. Theme Parks SUITE DREAMS European theme park that mums say is better than Disneyland reveals new hotel R.B. approached Carpenter so he could show him the caverns and his dreams grew for a western tourist town. The attraction mogul had visited the ghost towns of the American West and had become excited by the unique way in which they could transport visitors to a lost part of the country's history. Over two hundred locals help construct the 40 replica buildings that comprised the Western Town, located at the Mountain's peak. About 120,000 square feet of building were constructed, using 91,000 metres of lumber, 60,000 metres of plywood, and 9,000 kg of nails. The park opened on May 1, 1961, and quickly became one of Western North Carolina's most popular tourist attractions. The park hosted several stars of TV Westerns, such as Laramie and Wagon Train. Inside eerie abandoned funfair left a shell of its former self with iconic 90s-themed rides left rotting in rubble Hourly staged gun fights on the main street were a huge draw for visitors. It used the mountainous terrain it sat on to its advantage and guests would plunge out of the station and directly into a vertical loop before setting off for twists and turns along the mountainside. However, as the years went by, the park faced challenges under new management and a lack of real maintenance. Frequently broken roller coasters and rides started to deter visitors, leading to a decline in attendance. Use these tips on your next theme park trip Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest. Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return. Infrastructure issues like water, power, and sewage problems also plagued the park's owners. And employees began to complain about not receiving their salaries. These issues sadly led to the park's closure at the end of the 2009 season. However, the park may see a revival, according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Regional travel guide Blue Ridge Mountain Life noted that some refer to Ghost Town Village as a "cursed amusement park." The gloomy title refers to the many failed attempts to reopen the park over the years. But the NAPHA made a Facebook post on May 9, stating that a potential buyer from Florida expressed interest in buying the defunct amusement park. The same post said that current owner Jill McClure aims to sell it for entertainment purposes rather than to a buyer who will use it for housing. The buyer envisions "a venue featuring country music, rodeos, and festivals, aiming to keep the park family-friendly." Meanwhile, one of Europe's biggest theme parks has opened a new Wild West themed holiday village with wagon huts and cowboy bars. Plus five new rides are opening in the UK this year. And this top European theme park is getting a brand new ride as well.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Ivy Brighton launches Wild West Father's Day menu
The Ivy is serving up a cowboy-inspired Father's Day experience. The Ivy in Brighton is offering a Wild West-themed set menu, limited-edition cocktails, and a breakfast special on Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15. The menu includes a Himalayan salt wall dry-aged sirloin steak topped with cowboy butter and a grilled thinly-beaten rump steak breakfast. Sean Burbidge, executive chef at The Ivy Collection, said: "This Father's Day, we're excited to invite guests into our Wild West world with our specially created breakfast, set menu and delectable cocktails. "This year, we wanted to have fun with western flavours, such as the herbs and spices in our Cowboy Butter, that accompanies our succulent sirloin steak. "Complete with complimentary playing cards – perfect for a game of Texas Hold 'Em or two – we hope guests enjoy Cowboy-inspired Father's Day experience at The Ivy." The Brighton restaurant, located in the heart of The Lanes, will feature a themed breakfast option of grilled thinly-beaten rump steak served with a crispy potato rösti and two fried eggs. For those who prefer a later start, the Father's Day set menu is priced at £29.95 for two courses or £34.95 for three, and begins with The Ivy's signature truffle arancini for the table. Starters include steak tartare with toast, crab and avocado tian, duck liver parfait, or an heirloom tomato and watermelon salad. The main attraction is the sirloin steak with cowboy butter, available for a £5.95 supplement. Other main course choices include gochujang-glazed aubergine salad, The Ivy classic shepherd's pie, chicken Milanese with truffle sauce, and blackened cod fillet. Dessert options feature The Ivy chocolate bomb, crème brûlée, a selection of cheeses, or a raspberry and pistachio coupe. To complement the meal, The Ivy has crafted two special cocktails for the occasion. The Western Whisky Smash combines Singleton 12 whisky with Crème d'abricot, lemon, nettle, and mint. For a non-alcoholic option, the Giddy Up Nettle and Mint Panache blends Lucky Saint alcohol-free lager with lemon juice, mint, and nettle. All fathers dining at The Ivy on Father's Day weekend will receive a complimentary gift of a specially designed set of The Ivy Father's Day playing cards. The Brighton venue, known for its stylish interiors and relaxed yet refined atmosphere, is expected to be popular with families looking to celebrate the occasion. Reservations are recommended to secure a table. The Ivy Brighton is part of The Ivy Collection, a group of restaurants across the UK known for their contemporary British menus and elegant surroundings. The Wild West-inspired menu is designed to offer something special for fathers and father figures while maintaining the signature style of The Ivy brand. The Father's Day breakfast, set menu, and cocktails will be available on Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15. Tables can be booked online at The Ivy Collection is also encouraging guests to join The Ivy Premier Rewards App for exclusive offers and rewards.
Scottish Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
One of Europe's biggest theme parks opens new Wild West themed holiday village with wagon huts and cowboy bars
The theme park has also opened up a new pool with a swim-up bar GO WESTERN One of Europe's biggest theme parks opens new Wild West themed holiday village with wagon huts and cowboy bars A NEW cowboy themed holiday village has opened at one of Europe's biggest theme parks. Europa-Park - the second biggest theme park in Europe after Disneyland - has added another themed area called Silver Lake City, and it's all about cowboys. Advertisement 6 The new area of Europa-Park is Wild West-themed Credit: Europa-Park 6 There are wagons, tents and cabins that guests can stay in Credit: Europa-Park Inside, visitors can set up camp in the accommodation village called Tipi Town - which has 630 beds. Unlike most holiday villages, here you can sleep in a rustic wagon, or cosy log cabin, so you'll really feel like you're in the wild west. There are also colourful tipi-style tents or western-themed houses. Alternatively, you can camp in your own vehicle in the Europa-Park caravan park or sleep under the stars in your own tent. Advertisement The new accommodation can sleep from one person all the way up to 16 - if you choose to stay in one of the log cabins. It's set to get even bigger too. In 2026 there will be a new Riverside Western Lodge with 120 rooms. The huge guest house will be open for bookings from November 11, 2025. Also in 2026 will be a new brewery with its very own craft beer. Advertisement Gold Rush Golf is a mini-golf course across the site - and anyone can have a go. The challenging course has towers, slides and twelve holes to swing into. European theme park where you 'visit' Greece, Spain and Italy in a day has new roller coaster that's the world's steepest 6 There's a whole zone dedicated to the Wild West Credit: Europa-park 6 The Diner Station has train carriages that you can eat inside Credit: Europa-park There's also an adventure playground with a steam train, swimming lake and campfires. Advertisement On the village site are also four new diners. One is called the Diner Station, which is in a western themed train station. You can even enjoy delights of the buffet in specially designed carriages that have been fitted with tables. There's also the Wild Horse Bar where you can have a tipple of whiskey like a cowboy, or beer and a cocktail too. Silver Lake Saloon serves up hearty North American dishes like steak and barbecue ribs. Advertisement Finally, there's Cantina Amigo where you can order burritos, chilli and burgers. 6 The Comfort Wagon has heating, air conditioning and a flat screen TV Credit: Europa-Park Europa-Park opened a new year-round pool earlier this year, and it has a huge swim-up bar. You'll find the outdoor pool Svømmepøl in the Rulantica water world, it's 660sqm and sits inside a Nordic-style 'volcanic landscape' and is heated to 32C. Advertisement The theme park recently celebrated its 50th anniversary where it added a brand new attraction based on its mascots. The Grand Prix EDventure is the equivalent of a ghost train with an interactive gaming element. The park's mice mascots Ed and Edda will be racing, and the ride will be based on the upcoming film, 'Grand Prix of Europe', a cartoon film that stars Ed and Edda voiced by Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Gemma Arterton. One Travel Writer recently visited, he ventured through the mega theme park with 14 rollercoasters and 100 attractions. Advertisement He also added that Europa-Park should be known for its thrilling white-knuckle rides. 6 Europa-Park has opened its Wild West-themed park Credit: Europa-park
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
One of Europe's biggest theme parks opens new Wild West themed holiday village with wagon huts and cowboy bars
A NEW cowboy themed holiday village has opened at one of Europe's biggest theme parks. Advertisement 6 The new area of Europa-Park is Wild West-themed Credit: Europa-Park 6 There are wagons, tents and cabins that guests can stay in Credit: Europa-Park Inside, visitors can set up camp in the accommodation village called Tipi Town - which has 630 beds. Unlike most holiday villages, here you can sleep in a rustic wagon, or cosy log cabin, so you'll really feel like you're in the wild west. There are also colourful tipi-style tents or western-themed houses. Alternatively, you can camp in your own vehicle in the Europa-Park caravan park or sleep under the stars in your own tent. Advertisement Read More on Theme Parks The new accommodation can sleep from one person all the way up to 16 - if you choose to stay in one of the log cabins. It's set to get even bigger too. In 2026 there will be a new Riverside Western Lodge with 120 rooms. The huge guest house will be open for bookings from November 11, 2025. Also in 2026 will be a new brewery with its very own craft beer. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Gold Rush Golf is a mini-golf course across the site - and anyone can have a go. The challenging course has towers, slides and twelve holes to swing into. European theme park where you 'visit' Greece, Spain and Italy in a day has new roller coaster that's the world's steepest 6 There's a whole zone dedicated to the Wild West Credit: Europa-park 6 The Diner Station has train carriages that you can eat inside Credit: Europa-park There's also an adventure playground with a steam train, swimming lake and campfires. Advertisement On the village site are also four new diners. One is called the Diner Station, which is in a western themed train station. You can even enjoy delights of the buffet in specially designed carriages that have been fitted with tables. There's also the Wild Horse Bar where you can have a tipple of whiskey like a cowboy, or beer and a cocktail too. Silver Lake Saloon serves up hearty North American dishes like steak and barbecue ribs. Advertisement Finally, there's Cantina Amigo where you can order burritos, chilli and burgers. 6 The Comfort Wagon has heating, air conditioning and a flat screen TV Credit: Europa-Park You'll find the outdoor pool Svømmepøl in the Rulantica water world, it's 660sqm and sits inside a Nordic-style 'volcanic landscape' and is heated to 32C. Advertisement The theme park recently The Grand Prix EDventure is the equivalent of a ghost train with an interactive gaming element. The park's mice mascots Ed and Edda will be racing, and the ride will be based on the upcoming film, 'Grand Prix of Europe', a cartoon film that stars Ed and Edda voiced by One Advertisement He also added that Europa-Park should be known for its thrilling white-knuckle rides. 6 Europa-Park has opened its Wild West-themed park Credit: Europa-park Advertisement
