The Interpreter Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Bonfante Gardens to Be Renamed Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park Bonfante Gardens - new name & logo. (PRNewsFoto/Great America) GILROY, CA UNITED STATES 02/26/2007 New name one of many additions for 2007 season GILROY, Calif., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Bonfante Gardens, Inc., a non-profit organization and California's only horticultural theme park, today announced it will operate as Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. The corporate name change will be transitioned throughout the park's seventh season opening March 31, 2007. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070226/SFM104LOGO ) Under recommendation by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, the park's management company, as well as their advertising agency, the park's Board of Directors unanimously agreed to rename the property Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. The repositioning is an opportunity to create more geographical awareness among our visitors and drive tourism to the City of Gilroy and surrounding municipalities. "We are excited about the new direction," said Robert Kraemer, president and chairman of the board of directors. "While the park's name will change, our commitment to quality family entertainment and education will remain consistent." "Renaming the park is a natural fit for the community," said Michael Bonfante, the park's founding director. "My dedication to the park and passion for horticultural remains unchanged as we begin this new chapter." A new name isn't the only addition guests will see when visiting the park this season. "Gil," a new garlic themed character, will make his debut at Gilroy Gardens this season. The park is also adding a number of seasonal events designed for the entire family including Spring Fling, Red, White and Coo Memorial Dayl, Summer Safari and Treasure Hunt. Since many families turn to Gilroy Gardens for their child's first theme park experience, younger guests will enjoy Pit Stop Racer and Big Red Engine Co. Sized specifically for little ones, these new rides give children their first opportunity to get behind the wheel and ride alone in 2007. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park opens for the 2007 season Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 10 a.m. For more information, visit http://www.gilroygardens.org. Gilroy Gardens, Inc. is a non-profit organization managed by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, a 501©(3) non-profit organization, is located in Gilroy, Calif. and is California's only horticultural theme park featuring more than 40 family attractions including six majestic gardens, educational exhibits, rides and the world famous Circus Trees. The park was awarded a 2005 and 2006 Golden Ticket by International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) for Best Landscaping. For park information, visit http://www.gilroygardens.org or call 408-840-7100. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories....4697&EDATE= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill_Biscuit Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Geographic awareness? I hope they never change "Kings Island" to something like, "Mason Meadows", or "Deerfield Forest", or "Warren County Wonderland", or "Paris, Ohio", etc. There's only one Kings Island (well, except for the one in Hilton Head, SC), and everybody (kinda) knows where ours is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reclaimer Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Thrill Biscuit, there's a huge difference between a park of Kings Island's size and prominence in the industry and that of something like Bonfan...err, Gilroy Gardens. Besides enthusiasts, CF unit-holders (and others close to the business/industry) and those who live near Gilroy really don't know what the park is. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park says to a family living in, say...New England (who might happen to be planning a trip out west) "There's a theme park in Gilroy that has fun for the whole family" Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park was more of a "Huh? And that is...where?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 26, 2007 Author Share Posted February 26, 2007 Plus it sounded like ALL it had was gardens. Funny that Paramount NEVER recommended this name change, and it's about the first thing that Cedar Fair did. . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrill_Biscuit Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 ^No real worries. It was more of a tongue-in-cheek thought starter, spawned primarily by my observation of how famous places get "renamed" from time to time. It looks like a lot of good thought went into the 'Gardens' renaming; more, it seems, than what went into the renaming of venerable football stadia during the 1990s ("3COM Park", "Heinz Field", "Investco Field", etc.). Again, no real worries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reclaimer Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 Totally agreed on that one, Thrill Biscuit! And going back to Interp's comment about the name change, I'll agree. It's great to see Cedar Fair taking a great interest in the park right off The Bat. Under Viacom, it didn't seem like you heard much coming out of BFG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersNSich Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 When I learned of this on CoasterBuzz, I immediatelty opined "Is Kings Island going to become 'Cincinnati Gardens Family Theme Park?'" Might create confusion with an old hockey arena... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubaman Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 ^No real worries. It was more of a tongue-in-cheek thought starter, spawned primarily by my observation of how famous places get "renamed" from time to time. It looks like a lot of good thought went into the 'Gardens' renaming; more, it seems, than what went into the renaming of venerable football stadia during the 1990s ("3COM Park", "Heinz Field", "Investco Field", etc.). Again, no real worries. Heinz Field is more because the fact that Heinz ketchup/catsup is in Pittsburgh. But I agree that I am not a fan of selling names of stadiums to the highest bidder. Isn't Lucas Oil Arena being built in Indapolis? Oh well, helps pay it off I guess. "Toyota Island" Doesn't really flow off the tongue well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomTheater Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 The onion in the new logo looks similar to "Joe Cool" snoopy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Well, technically that is how Kings Island got its name. It was paying tribute to Kings Mills, Ohio, where the park was located at. It was also paying respect to Coney Island with the 'Island' portion. So by default then, Kings Island already technically describes where it is located. However, it doesn`t explain that Kings Mills (or the city of Mason) is a suburb of Cincinnati. I don`t think we have anything to worry about though. I doubt that Cedar Fair will start renaming its major parks anytime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersNSich Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 ^No real worries. It was more of a tongue-in-cheek thought starter, spawned primarily by my observation of how famous places get "renamed" from time to time. It looks like a lot of good thought went into the 'Gardens' renaming; more, it seems, than what went into the renaming of venerable football stadia during the 1990s ("3COM Park", "Heinz Field", "Investco Field", etc.). Again, no real worries. Heinz Field is more because the fact that Heinz ketchup/catsup is in Pittsburgh. But I agree that I am not a fan of selling names of stadiums to the highest bidder. Isn't Lucas Oil Arena being built in Indapolis? Oh well, helps pay it off I guess. "Toyota Island" Doesn't really flow off the tongue well... If they'd shorten the Colts new stadium name to just "Lucas Stadium," it would sound much better. At least our home park isn't gong to be called "Quicken Loans Island," or "Citi Island." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Your both close it's actually called "Lucas Oil Stadium". The owner of the company is from the Columbus, IN area and does a lot with Racing oil and of course domestics. We where all taken back by that name but knowing the history behind it, the name has kind of grown on us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 That`s the beauty of the Reds ball park. True, it may be named after Great American Insurance, but it does not sound like a company name slapped on a ball park. Thats in contrast to the neighboring US Bank Arena next door. That place has seen more names in the last several years. For a while it was The Crown, then it became Firstar Arena. Then US Bank bought out Firstar, so it was renamed. Whatever happened to the good old name Riverfront Coliseum? And speaking of naming rights, Paul Brown Stadium is actually a paid name. Mike Brown paid something on the order of $6 million to name the stadium after his dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubaman Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 And speaking of naming rights, Paul Brown Stadium is actually a paid name. Mike Brown paid something on the order of $6 million to name the stadium after his dad. My dad would like that, of course, assuming we were renaming Heinz Field. I don't think he'd want to have anything to do with another team in the NFL, and I agree. Your both close it's actually called "Lucas Oil Stadium". The owner of the company is from the Columbus, IN area and does a lot with Racing oil and of course domestics. We where all taken back by that name but knowing the history behind it, the name has kind of grown on us. My bad, I was thinking it was Lucas Oil Arena because it is giong to convert to basketball as well. I must say however, it looks like an awesome sports complex. I like the construction camera they have too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersNSich Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 Your both close it's actually called "Lucas Oil Stadium". The owner of the company is from the Columbus, IN area and does a lot with Racing oil and of course domestics. We where all taken back by that name but knowing the history behind it, the name has kind of grown on us. My bad, I was thinking it was Lucas Oil Arena because it is giong to convert to basketball as well. I must say however, it looks like an awesome sports complex. I like the construction camera they have too. In resonse to Avatar, I do know that the name of the Colts' future stadium is "Lucas Oil Stadium," but I think it would sound 'classier' if shortened to just "Lucas Stadium." The original working name "Indiana Stadium" sounded better, but that's probably me and a few others thinking that. Of course, while the primary tenant of Lucas (Oil) Stadium is Colts NFL football, the stadium will be very flexible in the uses it can have, especially conventions, concerts, and basketball. (Why didn't the Einsteins in Cincinnati think of such a facility?) Just like it was held in the RCA Dome, the NCAA tournament and Final Fours will also be played in the new Stadium every few years or so. While I thought the RCA Dome is a decent facility, the new Stadium will hands down beat it - more seats, wider seats, more restrooms, escalators, and, most importantly, retractable roof and windows, great for football games in late summer and early fall. And the Colts and Indianapolis are trying to land the Super Bowl within the next 5 to 10 years - somethng they just couldn't do with RCA Dome. The architecture is nice, as it is reminscent of the historic Coliseum on the Indiana State Faigrounds. While I'm not the biggest fan of the retro ballpark fad, this one has some good taste, and it will surely become a catalyst for redevelopment around it, for downtown Indianapolis, and surely a new landmark for Indiana. Back to the original topic, the new name of Gilroy Gardens is better, not only creating awareness of its location, but it is an easier name to pronounce and spell than "Bonfante." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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