Hot Diggity Dog!

SANDUSKY, Ohio, May 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Premium made-to-order gourmet hot dogs and chili dogs will add to the fun and excitement of a Cedar Point summer when the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort opens for the season on Saturday, May 14.

Beginning Saturday, May 14, Cedar Point will be open every day through Labor Day, Sept. 5.

New this summer will be Pink's, a restaurant that specializes in gourmet hot dogs, chili dogs and onion rings.  A Hollywood legend since 1939, Pink's will be located near the front of the park, just across from Toft's Ice Cream Parlor.  It will be the first Pink's franchise east of Las Vegas.

Later in the month, the park will also introduce WindSeeker, a 301-foot-tall towering swing ride that will be located near the Cedar Point Beach.  Seated in open two-passenger cars, riders will be treated to dramatic views of Cedar Point, Lake Erie and the Cedar Point Beach.  

"We are very excited to officially kickoff summer in the Midwest," said John Hildebrandt, Cedar Point's vice president and general manager.  "It has been a long, cold winter and people are ready to have some fun.  Roller coasters, hot dogs and Snoopy are the perfect solution."

Opening for its 142nd season, Cedar Point features an extensive entertainment package that includes thrilling rides and roller coasters, live shows and special entertainment for young families.  With 74 rides, including 17 roller coasters, Cedar Point has more rides and more coasters than any park in the world.

In addition to the rides, guests will be able to watch some of the park's award-winning live entertainment.  Tropical Heat, Island Beat, presented in the Red Garter Saloon, will feature the hits of Jimmy Buffett and the Miami Sound Machine, while Charlie Brown's Funtime Frolics will be performed in Camp Snoopy.  Four other shows will open later in the summer.

Other special activities at the park during its Opening Weekend include:

• Beginning Opening Day through Father's Day, Sunday, June 19, guests can enter the Take Home a Thrill contest to win a new XUV 825i John Deere Gator, valued at more than $11,000.  Entry forms can be obtained at Cedar Point's Guest Services, the Town Hall Museum or by mail.  For more information, please visit cedarpoint.com.
• On Sunday, May 15, the park will also hold an all-you-can-eat Picnic in the Park meal featuring Johnsonville Brats, fried chicken, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, baked rigatoni, cookies, ice cream and assorted Pepsi beverages.  The picnic will be held in the Coral Courtyard from 4-6:30 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased online at cedarpoint.com or at the park's admission gates.
• Through the end of May, Pick-a-Date tickets for a June visit can be purchased online at cedarpoint.com for only $32.99, a savings of $14 per ticket!

All of Cedar Point's resort properties will open for the season on Friday, May 13.  Resort guests qualify for Early Entry and can enter the park one hour before it opens to the public and can purchase tickets for only $29, the lowest rate available.

For more information about Opening Weekend at Cedar Point, please visit the park's website at cedarpoint.com or call the park's General Information Line at 419.627.2350.

SOURCE Cedar Point Amusement Park/Resort