BUSCH GARDENS ANNOUNCES CONCERT AND EVENT LINEUP FOR 2012

 Busch Gardens today announced its 2012 concert and event lineup. This year’s lineup features a mix of fan favorites and fresh faces sure to please everyone in the family. The concerts and events held at Busch Gardens are included with park admission.

Glory at the Gardens returns this year with performances by top contemporary Christian and Gospel artists. Third Day, Kirk Franklin, Chris Tomlin and newsboys will perform Sundays this spring at the Royal Palace Theatre.

Busch Gardens LIVE kicks off in May with performances by Cobra Starship, Kellie Pickler and Hot Chelle Rae. And later this summer, Victoria Justice, star of Nickelodeon’s Victorious, will take the stage as part of her first U.S. summer tour.

Get ready for extreme sports action when the ASA Action Sports World Tour performs at Busch Gardens during Ramp Jam this spring. Watch as world-class skateboarders, BMX riders and inline skaters perform amazing tricks on the X-Games half-pipe. And make sure to visit Busch Gardens on July 3 – 4 for two days of intense fireworks celebrating Independence Day.

With the return of the IllumiNights:  A Busch Gardens Encore this summer, Howl-O-Scream in the fall and Christmas Town:  A Busch Gardens Celebration during the holiday season, guests are in for a year full of fun.

A complete special events series schedule is listed below. Performances are subject to change without notice. Visit www.buschgardens.com/va for the most up-to-date details.

Busch Gardens 2012 Concert and Event Lineup

Glory at the Gardens

Featuring top contemporary Christian and Gospel artists.

·         newsboys (May 6)

·         Kirk Franklin (May 20)

·         Chris Tomlin (June 10)

·         Third Day (June 24)

Busch Gardens LIVE

Busch Gardens heats up the stage with sizzling summer concerts.

·         Cobra Starship (May 13)

·         Hot Chelle Rae (June 3)

·         Kellie Pickler (June 17)

·         Victoria Justice (August 26)

Special Events

·         Ramp Jam

The ASA Action Sports World Tour amps up with the world’s best pro skateboarders, BMX riders and inline skaters performing on the actual X Games half-pipe.

o        April 21 – 22

o        April 28 – 29

·         Independence Day Fireworks

Celebrate our country's birthday with two nights of fantastic fireworks.

o        July 3 – 4

Signature Events

·         IllumiNights:  A Busch Gardens Encore

Busch Gardens celebrates summer with this nightly extravaganza featuring live performances, music and special effects that culminates in a nightly park-wide firework spectacular.

o        July 1 – August 19

·         Howl-O-Scream

Busch Gardens’ annual horror fest features sinister tricks and terrifying fun for brave guests who dare to enter. Bone-chilling scare zones, frightening shows and gruesome creatures that lurk around the park are stars in Busch Gardens’ celebration of the macabre. The park’s younger guests will be treated to Halloween happenings with their favorite characters at Sesame Street Forest of Fun.

o        Sept. 14 – Oct. 28.

·         Christmas Town:  A Busch Gardens Celebration

Experience Busch Gardens in a whole new light. Holiday traditions, dazzling shows and one-of-a-kind gift ideas will make everyone say, “Now this is Christmas.” A complete Christmas Town experience includes a visit to Santa’s workshop and the parks’ 50-foot tall, light-animated Christmas tree.

o        Nov. 23 – Dec. 31, select days

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment inspires people to celebrate, connect, and care for the natural world through the power of entertainment. The company owns and operates 10 parks across the United States, as well as the newly formed SeaWorld Pictures division.  The parks play host to 23 million guests a year and provide lasting memories through up-close animal encounters, world-class shows and rides, and high-quality themed attractions.  Locations include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando; Sesame Place near Philadelphia, Pa.; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg.

A global leader in animal care and conservation, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment cares for more than 60,000 animals including 200 endangered or threatened species. This commitment extends to animals around the world: The company has contributed more than $50 million to conservation, wildlife rescue and environmental stewardship initiatives and operates one of the world’s most respected animal rescue and rehabilitation programs. SeaWorld has rescued more than 18,000 orphaned, injured or ill animals over four decades.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment employs 20,000 people nationwide and is a portfolio company of The Blackstone Group (NYSE:BX).

Disclosure: I was under no obligation to share this information.