October 27, 2007
Vallejo, CA -- Six Flags to put up the biggest Christmas tree in the world the Holiday in the Park event at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Standing 125-feet tall, the gigantic tree will have a towering presence and be an iconic symbol of Northern California's biggest holiday celebration.
Six Flags says they expect the tree to arrive at the park on October 30 from a tree farm in Oregon. The tree has been loaded onto a truck that will travel south on Interstate 5 where it will then be delivered into the theme park via a Chinook helicopter.
"Having the biggest tree in the world will make Holiday in the Park one of the most exciting and magical places to visit this holiday season," said Martin Lathrop, park president. "If you can imagine the sheer size of this magnificent tree, and add to that the dazzling display of holiday-themed areas all around the park, it really will be the biggest holiday celebration in all of California."
According to Six Flags, the Christmas tree has a trunk diameter of four feet and expanse of branches up to 55 feet. The park plans to place the tree in the existing Dolphin Fountain location, a centrally-located area which will allow guests to view the tree the moment they enter the park.
The park will spend several weeks decorating the tree. Each evening during the Holiday in the Park event, guests will be asked to "search" for Santa Claus, whom once found, will light the Christmas tree and the actual park simultaneously unveiling millions of twinkling lights in an extraordinary visual display.
Six Flags obtained the tree from the Egan Acres Tree Farm/Willamette Evergreen Tree Farm in Salem, OR. The tree will be considered the tallest cut Christmas tree found this holiday season.
Total Quality Logistics and Redmond Heavy Hauling of Portland is transporting the tree on a 75-foot tractor attached to an 18-wheeler that will journey from Oregon to California on Interstate 5.
Six Flags says that large banners will identify the special cargo as the biggest Christmas tree in the world, as the truck makes its way along the 580-mile route, stopping at various towns before arriving at its final destination.
"The public can literally track the tree's journey on our website and make plans to see the biggest Christmas tree in the world as it passes through their hometown," said Lathrop.
After the approximate 2-3 day journey, the tree will be air-lifted directly into the park by a BV234 Chinook helicopter, the biggest and heaviest lifting helicopter in the U.S., piloted by Columbia Helicopters of Oregon.
Holiday in the Park is new this year at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. The holiday event has been an annual tradition at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington and is being expanded this year to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.
Guests who visit during this evening event will find the theme park has been transformed in familiar and time-honored holiday themes. Guests will enjoy millions of dazzling lights, life-sized toys and ornaments, non-stop entertainment and festival-like ambience to get everyone into the spirit of the season.
Among the myriad Holiday in the Park offerings: Santa's Workshop, where kids can visit those industrious elves and pose with Santa and Mrs. Claus; Candy Cane Lane, a canopy of larger-than-life candy canes and lollipops; Toyland featuring an enormous Nutcracker soldier, teddy bear and other giant-sized toys; the Christmas Tree Forest with the fragrant aroma of a variety of trees and Winter Wonderland where Frosty the Snowman has set up house.
The entertainment lineup will include an array of all new holiday-themed wildlife shows including Dream, starring Shouka, the killer whale; Super Spirited Sea Lions Save Christmas, and A Dolphin Holiday. In Toyland, toys come to life in the original "Toy Box Christmas" show and at the Jungle Theater, an all-new marquee presentation, "Discover Christmas." Additionally, a new holiday movie, "Santa's Late," will premier in the 4D Iwerks Theater.
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom kicks off on Friday, November 23 and continues weekends through December 16, then daily from December 17 - 23 (closed December 24 and 25). Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will also be open December 26 through January 6, 2008.
For more information, see Six Flags Discovery Kingdom or visit www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom for details on the Holiday in the Park event.
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