Nights of Fire July 4 at Carowinds
Nights of Fire: A Skytower Spectacular, a one of kind fireworks display, returns to Carowinds on July 4th. Partially launched from the top of the Carolina Skytower, the state-of-the-art, computer designed and controlled pyro-musical fireworks show was first presented four years ago when the park began using the Skytower in its July 4th fireworks display. Nights of Fire: A Skytower Spectacular is free with park admission.
Nights of Fire uses more than 1,000 shells to paint the sky with a rainbow of colors. Several hundred special effect shots illuminate the Carolina Skytower at different times during the 25-minute program which begins at 10 pm. The computer produces a brilliant and thrilling show, firing shells in precise time to music with an accuracy of 1/100th of a second.
The Carolina RFD section of the Park in front of Boomerang Bay is one of the hottest vantage points to view the fireworks display. Other popular viewing areas include NickelodeonTM Central and Thrill Zone.
The Carolina Skytower, one of the original attractions at Carowinds, enjoyed a patriotic off-season makeover, thanks to new owners of the park, Cedar Fair. Rising high above the 108-acre theme park on the North and South Carolina state line, the Skytower provides panoramic views of the park and both states from a height of 320 feet. Carowinds is currently in its 35th season.
Carowinds dropped its ticket prices this year for the first time since opening in 1973. The drop in single-day ticket prices is the first major move by the new owners. Cedar Fair bought Carowinds and four other parks in June, 2006 from Paramount, a division of CBS Corp., for $1.24 billion.
Cedar Fair has dropped most of Carowinds' major licensing agreements, essentially de-Paramounting the amusement park. It formerly had numerous references to Paramount films such as the Borg Assimilator coaster. One notable exception, New York-based Nickelodeon Networks, will be kept in place for at least three more seasons. That will keep characters Sponge Bob Squarepants and Dora the Explorer, along with the park's signature daily Nickelodeon parade, entertaining the youngest guests.
The new owner, which owns the famous Cedar Point park outside of Cleveland, has already spent about $3 million on improvements at the 108-acre theme park.
Another innovation by the new owners brings an ice skating show back to the park for the first time in 10 years. The Carowinds Theatre has been transformed for an ice-skating extravaganza titled "Endless Vacation." The cool interior of the air-conditioned theatre offers a much-needed respite from the steamy summer heat in the Carolinas. A special performance of the ice show will be presented on July 4th.
Also on July 4, Carowinds guests can enjoy an all-you-can-eat Fourth of July picnic in the Southside Picnic Pavilion from 5 to 7 p.m. The menu includes fried chicken, hot dogs, baked beans, potato chips, Coca Cola beverages and ice cream. Picnic tickets are $15.00 for an adult ticket, $10.50 for Junior/Senior, and $11.00 for season pass holders.
Carowinds is open daily through Aug. 26. Sat. - Sun. operation resumes Sept. 1 - Oct. 28. The park also is open Sept. 3.
Visit www.carowinds.com for more info.
