Busch Gardens is springing into another season of fun this week with a sham-rocking celebration just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Travelers can enjoy holiday-themed refreshments as they join the party in the park’s Irish village and get 20 percent off a purchase of $40 or more at Emerald Isle Gifts.
There is also the chance to catch the newest stars of Busch Gardens’ Celtic Fyre show as they greet guests in the Irish-themed village. Two Irish Setter puppies named Conner and Finn will make their public debut on opening day.
Jay Tacey, Busch Gardens’ manager of zoological operations, said the puppies will make unscheduled appearances throughout the day as part of their training. Celtic Fyre opens at Busch Gardens on March 21, and the puppies will eventually play a role on stage alongside the show’s Irish singers, dancers and musicians. More information about the puppies and their role in the show is available at the park’s blog.
As visitors walk through the park’s freshly landscaped pathways, they will no doubt spot the rejuvenation efforts taking place at some of its locations. Inside the front gate, England’s Globe Theatre is entering the final stages of a high-tech transformation to prepare for the debut of Busch Gardens’ newest show, London Rocks. The show explores the role music plays in people’s lives, and will bring live theater back to the Globe Theatre later this spring. The show’s theme will eventually extend to the surrounding England village to create an immersive London experience for visitors as they enter the park.
Land of the Dragons is also undergoing a makeover. The park’s original KIDsiderate attraction celebrates its 20th anniversary this season. A recent post on the park’s blog detailed the efforts the being undertaken to refresh the area in time for a special anniversary celebration on March 22. In honor of Land of the Dragons’ two decades of creating memories for park guests, Busch Gardens social media team is inviting fans to recreate their childhood Land of the Dragons photos and share the results on the park’s Facebook page.
Sesame Street Forest of Fun is turning 5 years old in 2014. Elmo and friends are celebrating with a birthday party on April 4 – 6. In addition to the excitement being planned for the birthday party, travelers can enjoy special limited engagement performances of “Elmo Rocks!” all weekend-long at Il Teatro di San Marco in the park’s Italian village.
Other milestones events, including the 15th anniversary of Apollo’s Chariot and the return of the park’s popular Food & Wine Festival, will take place later this spring. Busch Gardens’ Facebook fans helped choose a new theme this year. A Caribbean-themed menu is being developed by Executive Chef Justin Watson that will be incorporated into the park-wide culinary adventure later this spring. More details about the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival will be announced soon.
Busch Gardens will open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the end of March. The park will open daily for spring break operating schedule from Friday, April 4 through April 21.
A Busch Gardens Fun Card gives travelers unlimited admission to the Virginia park all spring and summer long for the price of a single-day admission. For a limited time, when guests purchase a Busch Gardens Fun Card they can get unlimited summer admission to Water Country USA added for free. This online-only offer expires March 31.
Busch Gardens, www.buschgardens.com/va