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May 1, 2000

Garfield and Odie To Hang Out At Lake Compounce

Bristol, CT -- "Hanging out is an art form," according to a certain orange feline of comic strip fame, and this summer, Garfield and his doggy pal, Odie, will perfect the art at Lake Compounce Theme Park, their "cool new summer hangout."

Officials for Lake Compounce and Garfield announced that the fat cat and his sidekick will make "The Lake" their summer home appearing throughout the theme park during the 2000 season to meet and entertain guests. Additionally, Garfield will help promote the park in TV, radio, billboard, and print ads, and through in-park signage, brochures, and premium items. Garfield and Odie will also be at the center of special events throughout the season and will be featured on the Lake Compounce website, www.lakecompounce.com.

"Odie and I just rode Boulder Dash and it scared us witless so we're just gonna hang out here the rest of the summer and see if we can get our wits back," stated the cartoon cat, adding, "Although, with Odie, it's already a lost cause." (more)

Boulder Dash is Lake Compounce's newest ride and the world's first mountainside coaster. Billed as the East Coast's fastest, longest wooden coaster, the 60 mph train hugs the ground and winds through a mile-long white-knuckle course barely clearing the mountainside's boulders, rock cliffs and trees.

According to Lake Compounce General Manager Tom Wages, the appearance of Garfield and Odie at the park this year "will certainly add to the fun quotient at New England's Family Theme Park."

Wages added, "Despite the fact that Garfield will probably spend most of his time at our food stands or napping on a park bench, we're delighted that he and Odie plan to hang out at Lake Compounce this year. And we're certain that anyone with an appetite for fun will agree."

Lake Compounce is currently completing a $40 million expansion by its managing partner, Kennywood Entertainment Company, West Mifflin, PA. The investment includes more than 25 new rides and attractions, as well as physical improvements on the 325-acre site. In addition to Boulder Dash, new attractions include Splash Harbor -- a family water park; Ghost Hunt -- a "fun and spooky" dark ride; an awesome steel coaster; a gravity-defying giant swing; and Circus World kiddieland. Lake Compounce is the oldest amusement park in the United States, operating continuously since 1846.

Garfield is one of the most widely syndicated comic strips ever. Universal Press Syndicate distributes the feature to over 2,600 newspapers worldwide. An estimated 263,000,000 readers see Garfield each day with translations in 24 languages.