Kids (and their parents) who remember Snoopy visiting the Cypress Festival last year can eagerly look forward to 2012’s Festival — Knott’s Berry Farm will again provide a visit from Snoopy as part of their Bronze sponsorship. Snoopy will ride over from Camp Snoopy, opened in 1983 at Knott’s, an innovation in the amusement park industry — the first theme park area designed specifically for kids.
Knott’s Berry Farm, the original theme park, is a strong community supporter dating from its founding in 1920, when Walter Knott bought ten acres of farmland. One thing followed another, including the establishment of his wife’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant and the development of the boysenberry as a basis for pies and jams, until Walter decided something had to be done to occupy the big crowds waiting for a seat at the restaurant.
So Walter built the Gold Trails Hotel in what would come to be Ghost Town, the first of six themed areas in the park. And admission was free!
The Knott family sold the business to Cedar Fair LP in 1997, sixteen years after Walter’s death. (His wife Cordelia had died in 1974 at the age of 84.)
Knott’s Berry Farm is located at 8039 Beach Blvd. in Buena Park, just south of the 91 and 5 Freeways. Its iconic structures, such as the Supreme Scream tower and Ghost Rider wooden roller coaster, are well known to those living and working nearby.
Knott’s Berry Farm has shown the way for other local businesses, organizations and individuals who are looking to step up and become involved with the Cypress Festival. Sponsorships are available at many levels including: Platinum ($1,500), Patron ($300) and more. Sponsors receive acknowledgement throughout the year.
The community is invited to enjoy this exciting annual event on Saturday, July 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Oak Knoll Park located at 5700 Orange Ave. in Cypress. Information about the Cypress Community Festival is available online at www.cypressfestival.com or email info@cypressfestival.com.