The Mercury News

California’s Great America announces new festivals, events

Spring Fiesta will celebrate Latino culture; Monster Jam is coming to Thunder Alley

- By Jim Harrington jharringto­n@bayareanew­sgroup.com

California’s Great America this week announced three new festivals/events at the Santa Clara theme park in 2020. Here’s a look.

Spring Fiesta

Celebrate Latino culture and enjoy food, live music and entertainm­ent during this celebratio­n running three consecutiv­e weekends starting in late April. Each weekend will present a different focus.

The first weekend (April 25-26) is is dubbed Día del Niño and offers kid-friendly crafts, games and activities.

Next up is the Cinco de Mayo weekend (May 2-3), which includes traditiona­l, folkloric dance and other entertainm­ent/activities.

Spring Fiesta concludes with the Latin Music Festival (May 9-10), which showcases a number of Bay Area performers.

Monster Jam Thunder Alley

Like monster trucks? The

Monster Jam event brings those impressive vehicles into Great America on June 20-July 12.

It’s your chance to get “nose to grille” and then sit inside those high rollers. And yes, there’s even a chance to take a ride in a Monster Jam truck.

Also, there are meet-and-greets with drivers as well as a themed kids play area.

Carnivale at Orleans Place

Here’s your chance to experience plenty of New Orleans

charm without ever leaving the Bay Area.

Carnivale, July 18-Aug. 2, serves up a big helping of Fat City-friendly food and fun.

The nighttime festival “marries the best of Great America’s fan-favorite Taste of Orleans event with the excitement and vibrancy of Mardi Gras,” according to a new release.

One of the highlights of Carnivale is the the Spectacle of Color full-scale parade, featuring decorated floats, talented performers

and more.

South Bay Shores

Great America also plans to open its brandnew waterpark with seven new water attraction­s, South Bay Shores, in May. The park will include four drop slides, two tube slides and a kid-friendly lagoon area and feature private cabanas with fans, TVs, and food and beverage service.

For more informatio­n, go to cagreatame­rica.com

 ?? CALIFORNIA’S GREAT AMERICA ?? Taste of Orleans returns to California’s Great America as part of the Carnivale at Orleans Place festival.
CALIFORNIA’S GREAT AMERICA Taste of Orleans returns to California’s Great America as part of the Carnivale at Orleans Place festival.

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