Originally Posted By retlawfan Feb. 26th, 2007 -- Via Press Release 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. 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 <a href="http://www.gilroygardens.org" target="_blank">http://www.gilroygardens.org</a>. 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(c)(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 <a href="http://www.gilroygardens.org" target="_blank">http://www.gilroygardens.org</a> or call 408-840-7100.
Originally Posted By retlawfan It's good for the park, but it is a bit sad too. We have watched this park from day 1, and it will lose a bit of it's history with the name change. It sounds like Cedar Fair wants to really put the place on the map.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I like the name change -- I think it will help people better understand where in the world it is. I feel bad that I have yet to visit this park!
Originally Posted By retlawfan That's a great idea. With the park opening next month, I think it is about time. Any others interested in an April or May meet?
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Dates I have available: March 24th or 25th April 28th or 29th May 5th or 6th Easter is April 8th and Mother's Day is May 13th.
Originally Posted By retlawfan They open March 31 for the season, so it would have to be April or May. April 28th works for me, but not the 29th. So, let's do it on the 28th. What's a good time for everyone? Around lunch? (once we get a little feedback, I'll post something in the meets section.)
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Duh - I glanced and read it as March 3rd. Sorry about that. Lunch time would be good. That way people can either get there earlier and do some things on their own or just arrive at that time.
Originally Posted By retlawfan I have just been corrected. I cannot do the 28th, but I can do the 29th. Is that still good? Maybe around 12:00?
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Sat or Sun is fine. The park hours are not long and it's only a 45min drive from Livermore/ 1 hr from the Bay Area.
Originally Posted By retlawfan OK, I am really going to look like a flake now, but... I cannot make it at all that weekend, but I can on May 6th. Sorry. So, Lisann22 and SuzieQ, what do you think? Any others interested?
Originally Posted By SuzieQ First weekend of May is out for me. It's my dad's 70th birthday dinner and my sister-in-law's baby shower!
Originally Posted By retlawfan I'm now being informed that my DD has an out of town event on the first weekend in May too. Ugh. Maybe we'll try later in the year...
Originally Posted By xrayvision While the new name sounds like a moderately priced apartment complex (or convalescent home), I do like the name Gilroy Gardens because it easily flows off the tongue and it tells you where the park is located. Good decision. But, the park's new logo is not so great in design. The logo's font emphasize the city's name "Gilroy" too heavily, with the font of the word "gardens" typed SOO SMALL that it's barely legible. The logo implies that park's new name is just *****GILROY*****. The Bonfante Gardens logo had both the words "Bonfante" and "Gardens" in the same sized font, so it read "Bonfante Gardens" not, ******BONFANTE*****......... gardens. They should redesign the logo. Otherwise, I like the new name. It sounds like a nice place to retire.
Originally Posted By markedward I agree that Gilroy Gardens sounds way too much like an apartment complex for retirees - you're dead on, xray. Gilroy Gardens just doesn't do it for me. Bonfante Gardens is hands down my second favorite theme park (want to guess what's number one?) and the new drab name doesn't do much for me. Yes it will tell people where it is. But I already knew. I suspect our family will let "Bonfante Gardens" and "Marineworld" slip out more often than not.
