Can it really only be a couple of weeks since the buildings
in Calico Square were
covered with cobwebs?
Photo by Jim Hill
These days, if you drop by America's
First Theme Park,
you'll find that Knott's Scary Farm has given way to Knott's Merry Farm …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
And all of those wraiths …
Photo by Jim Hill
… have been replaced with wreaths.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
And as you wander the streets of Ghost Town now through
January 5th, you'll find poinsettias instead of poltergeists …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… the Calico Carolers instead of Scareactors.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Not to mention dozens of local artists & artisans who are each selling
their own unique wares …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… in Knott's Christmas
Crafts Village.
Where you could purchase beautiful handmade glass Christmas ornaments …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… or seasonal treats like maple lollipops.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Mind you, if it's holiday snacks that you crave, then you
really have to head over to Santa's Christmas Cabin. Which is new for Knott's
Merry Farm in 2013.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Here you can not only visit with Saint Nick and then take home a souvenir photo
of this auspicious occasion (Just so you know: there's an additional fee for
that photo) …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… you can also sample all sorts of Xmas treats like
Santa's homemade cookies and hot chocolate topped with hand-carved chocolate
shavings by wandering between the various food stands. Which have been set up
inside of Ghost Town's Wilderness Dance
Hall for the holiday season.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Also new for 2013 is "Christmas On Engine 41." Which
features an ever-changing cast of characters from Calico who have climbed about
this vintage steam train …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… and then entertains Knott's holiday visitors with all sorts of seasonal
songs and stories. Please note that the "Christmas on Engine 41"
experience only runs from 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. daily (with 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve). More to the point,
that the cast of characters which wander through these vintage railcars
regularly rotates. So it's quite likely that — were you to take multiple trips
on this stream train — you'd never see the same show twice.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
And speaking of shows … If you're looking for some old-school holiday
entertainment, then you really need to swing by the Birdcage Theatre to catch a
performance of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" OR O. Henry's
"The Gift of the Magi."
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Another holiday tradition at Knott's Merry Farm is the
annual ice show at the Charles M. Schulz Theatre. This year's edition —
"It's Christmas, Snoopy!" — features a cast of 11 professional
skaters, festive sets & costumes and is a genuine feast for the senses.
Copyright Cedar Fair
Entertainment. All rights reserved
And speaking of the Peanuts characters … Camp
Snoopy is looking particularly
festive this year …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… thanks — in large part — to some window displays that pay tribute to that
classic holiday TV special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas
."
Photo by Noe Valladolid
As I walked through this 160-acre theme park on Saturday,
there wasn't a single inch of Knott's Merry Farm that didn't feature
area-appropriate decorations …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Which is why I have to say that Jeff
Shadick, the manager of park decor, really out-did himself this holiday season.
Photo by Noe
Valladolid
And did I mention that entrance to
the Christmas Crafts
Village is free Monday through
Thursday? This is why Southern Californians flock to Buena
Park every holiday season so that they can then get on
the seasonal fun found at Knott's Merry Farm.