“From the earliest moment that our firm purchased Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Waterpark, our highest priority has always been to maintain the park’s beauty and protect its proud traditions as a mainstay of the State’s history and natural treasures. It is with these ideals in mind that we must announce that the park will be closed for business as of Wednesday, September 23, 2009. During the last two years, Land South Adventures, LLC, has explored numerous management frameworks and exhausted every possible approach to keep the park running in its traditional form. Now, we are in the process of negotiating with several potential purchasers and lessees for all or part of the property, and do not feel it is fair to our employees, the guests, or the public to continue operations heading into the fall with the future of the property in flux. We are optimistic that the outcome will be in the best interests of both the park and the residents of Polk County and the State of Florida.”

There is something for the whole family to enjoy, from the wild and wet thrills of the waterpark attractions, to a relaxing walk through the beautiful botanical gardens at Cypress Gardens.  So make your plans now to visit.  What’s even better is there are no coupons to clip, no website to go to, just go to the Splash Island Waterpark ticket booth and when you purchase one waterpark admission you receive another one for FREE!

The bad news: There are only three Wednesday’s left (including today) to take them up on their offer.

Here is the deal: If you purchase one full-price Splash Island Water Park adult ticket August 5, August 12 or August 19, you will  receive one free adult ticket. Just present the coupon below at the Splash Island Water Park Main Gate ticket booth. This offer is good for up to the purchase of four tickets to receive four free.

Haines City – Thunder on the Ridge (July 4 from Noon-10pm): The 2009 Thunder on the Ridge Extravaganza will be bigger and better than ever as the city celebrates the grand opening of  the new Lake Eva Community Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The park features a new aquatic center, two playgrounds, lighted tennis and basketball courts, a band shell for concerts, and a lakefront banquet facility.There will be plenty of craft and food vendors, children’s activities, and entertainment to keep visitors of all ages busy throughout the day beginning at Noon.  The highlight of the night (besides Polk County’s largest fireworks display, of course) will be a live performance by The Commodores. Find out more.

Lakeland – Red, White & Kaboom (July 3 at 6pm): Red, White & Kaboom will take place around the Lake Mirror Promenade and will feature the pop/rock sounds of the popular local band, MillHopper. The band will play three sets of music ending at 9:00 p.m. to a breathtaking display of fireworks over Lake Mirror. As part of this year’s celebration, the city of Lakeland is asking for a canned food item from everyone who attends the free event. There will be several locations throughout Lake Mirror Park that will be accepting the canned food donations. There will be a variety of food and drink vendors around Lake Mirror so bring a blanket and enjoy the live music and a dramatic display of fireworks over the lake. All City parking garages will be open. Find out more.

Lakeland – Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Tampa Yankees (July 4 at 5pm): There is no better way to celebrate America, the summer and the 4th of July than watching a baseball game followed by a huge fireworks display over Joker Marchant Stadium. In what has become a 4th of July tradition, the Lakeland Flying Tigers will host the July 4th game and set off a dazzling display of fireworks at 9pm, following the game. Get your tickets early as this game is a tough ticket to get. Find out more.

Winter Haven – Rockin’ Freedom Fest (July 3 at 7pm): Lake Silver will be the backdrop for Winter haven’s 4th of July celebration. Live music by the band Signal Zero will lead up to the large fireworks display over Lake Silver at 9:30pm. There will be food vendors and lots of entertainment for the kids. Find out more.

Winter Haven – Cypress Gardens July 4th Celebration (July 4): Both Cypress Gardens and Splash Island Water Park are set to celebrate July 4th with a very special day of entertainment. Cypress Gardens will be open from 9:00am-10:00pm and will feature four ski shows at 1:30 pm, 4:00 pm, and 6:00 pm, with a special “Nighttime Ski Show” at 8:45 pm. The Lakeside Stage (between Ski Stadiums) will also host The Fletcher Cane Band from 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm. Then, be sure to stay for the Fireworks on the Lake at the Ski Stadium at 9:15 pm (immediately following the “Nighttime Ski Show). At Splash Island, the park hours will be from 10:00am-10:00pm with a live DJ playing your favorite music from noon-7pm.

Splash Island Waterpark is open until 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday and to make their summer celebration even bigger, the waterpark will be open until 10 p.m. on Saturday’s for “Splash Party Nights,” featuring live music! This week’s live music will be provided by “Blowing Trees” who will be performing at the Paradise Wave Pool stage at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

As the new Cypress Gardens takes shape and prepares to open on March 28, there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to get the park ready for opening in just a few weeks. There have been a lot of rumors out there that the botanical gardens and topiary gardens are overgrown and in bad shape, but I had a chance to take a behind the scenes tour last week and things are looking great and a lot of progress is being made. Here are some photos from the tour. If you are wondering about ticket prices and operating hours, wonder no more. Here they are.

Cypress Gardens has announced that the world famous Florida attraction will resume operations on Saturday, March 28. The opening of the renowned Botanical and Topiary Gardens and the wildly popular Splash Island Waterpark will coincide with the local Spring Break. Entertainment industry veteran Bill Sims will lead the new management team. Mr. Sims is President of CG MGMT, LLC, which has been retained to oversee the attraction’s day-to-day operations. Mr. Sims previously worked at Cypress Gardens for park founder Dick Pope, Sr., from 1970 to 1985, serving as the Park’s Executive Vice President for many of those years. Mr. Sims has also headed management teams at Silver Springs in Ocala and Weeki Wachee Springs in Spring Hill.

Here are some highlights of the announcement that was made:

• Entertainment industry veteran Bill Sims will lead the new management team. Mr. Sims is President of CG MGMT, LLC, which has been retained to oversee the attraction’s day-to-day operations. Mr. Sims previously worked at Cypress Gardens for park founder Dick Pope, Sr., from 1970 to 1985, serving as the Park’s Executive Vice President for many of those years. Mr. Sims has also headed management teams at Silver Springs in Ocala and Weeki Wachee Springs in Spring Hill. “I cut my teeth in the entertainment industry at Cypress Gardens and learned from the best in the business, Dick Pope, Sr.”, Mr. Sims said, “I am thrilled to be returning.”
• The re-born Cypress Gardens will focus on the iconic Botanical and Topiary Gardens along with the Splash Island Waterpark. The famous water ski shows and the electric boat tours will also resume operation. A number of special events, including flower festivals and concerts, are being scheduled and will be announced in the near future.
• All carnival and adventure rides installed in 2004 are being sold and removed from the Park.
• The Gardens and the Waterpark will have separate admission gates and sell separate tickets. Ticket prices will be reduced by up to 40% off the 2008 prices.
• Season Pass expiration dates will be extended by 4 months to offset the period of time the park was closed. New Season Passes will be available separately for the Gardens and the Waterpark at lower prices than past years. Season Passes will go on sale on March 1.
• Many past employees of Cypress Gardens will be contacted over the next weeks regarding resumption of their duties at the attraction.

Here are some other events throughout the weekend:

Friday

• Larry the Cable Guy    7pm and 9:30pm      Youkey Theater, The Lakeland Center
• Live Music: Florida Southern College Band    6:30pm     Branscomb Auditorium     FSC, Lakeland
• Bluegrass and BBQ Festival    6pm-10pm    IMC-Agrico Park      Bartow
• Quilts and Teas Festival    9am-3pm    Historic District     Davenport
• Theater: “Barefoot in the Park”    8pm    Clay Cut Centre    Haines City
• Theater: “Cotton Patch Gospel”   7:30pm    Polk Theater    Lakeland

Saturday

• Bluegrass and BBQ Festival    Noon-5pm    IMC-Agrico Park      Bartow
• Theater: “Barefoot in the Park”    8pm    Clay Cut Centre    Haines City
• Theater: “Cotton Patch Gospel”  7:30pm    Polk Theater    Lakeland
• Quilts and Teas Festival    9am-3pm    Historic District     Davenport
• Downtown Farmers Curb Market    8am-2pm    Peterson Plaza,  Downtown Lakeland
• Suncoast Gun Show    9am-5pm    The Lakeland Center
• Kids: Ancestors and Heroes Day    10am    Explorations V Children’s Museum    Lakeland
• Farmers Market    8am-2pm    North Blount Park     Bartow
• Auto Racing:   6pm   Auburndale Motor Speedway      Auburndale

Sunday

• Theater: “Barefoot in the Park”    2:30pm    Clay Cut Centre    Haines City
• Theater: “Cotton Patch Gospel”   2:30pm    Polk Theater    Lakeland
• Suncoast Gun Show    9am-4pm     The Lakeland Center
• Concert: The Coasters and The Drifters    1pm     Cypress Gardens   Winter Haven