Building on its reputation of staging the largest and most spectacular nighttime special effects show in the outdoors of America’s Heartland, Celebration City presents an all-new 2005 show: NightFire! Igniting the American Spirit. The high-tech dramatic presentation, one of the foremost shows of this magnitude in the United States, include $2 million in special effects and new show elements. The five-story mountainside video projections, fire cannons with flames 150 feet in the air, three-dimensional visuals, lasers, water effects and pyrotechnics accentuate a story exemplifying the American spirit.
“Our toolbox, or our artists’ palate, is a vast array of lights, video, lasers, film, music, fire, water screens and cannons, and 3-D illuminations,” said Bettina Buckley, Chief Effects Orchestrator of NightFire! Buckley is a producer with WOW!Works, the Orlando-based company selected to produce the all-new storyline and create the enhanced effects. WOW!Works principals were part of the teams that produced Epcot’s IllumiNations, Beauty and the Beast on Broadway, numerous Super Bowl events and the 2002 Winter Olympics ceremonies.
“We’re raising the level of the mountainside production to rank among the best in the world with new lights, state-of-the-art PIGI projectors that utilize the largest firm ever invented, bold music and pyrotechnics,” said Buckley, who says the show concept is as critical as the effects. “We are celebrating some of the greatest moments in America’s history – the things that make us laugh, make us play, make us America’s families. We are saluting our homecomings, our heroes, our great sporting past and present, our pop culture and many historic moments of the 20th century that make us proud to be Americans.” Buckley referenced events such as the space race with the rockets’ rumble and fire, and the electrifying fall of the Berlin Wall.
“The show is all-out, a roller coaster ride for the senses,” said Brad Schroeder, Entertainment Director for Celebration City/Silver Dollar City Attractions and co-producer for NightFire! “This one-of-a-kind show is designed to immerse the audience throughout the performance. Park guests may even become part of the show when images taken by photographers during the day are projected 50 feet tall in a salute to families.”
Also new for 2005 at Celebration City
Celebration City’s more than 30 rides and attractions are a main focus at the amazement park, however research shows families want more than rides and attractions to fill-out their experience, seeking unique atmosphere and interesting quirks. For these reasons, Celebration City is introducing it Circus Gardens where living trees and bushes become fanciful creations of the imagination, some even coming to life. Selected areas are being created to showcase the unusual in the horticulture world.
New shows in the Celebration Theatre present comedy and magic, and an interactive family game show.
The 20th Century provides the setting at Celebration City with attractions, shops and restaurants reminiscent of the past century including a vintage-style carousel and fountains, an electric boardwalk area and a historically-themed Route 66 that harks to the 1950s and ’60s drive-in diner and cool cars.
The 30-acre Celebration City features the ultra-compact, classic wooden roller coaster Ozark Wildcat that reaches speeds of 45 miles per hour and drops 8 stories, two compact steel coaster, and thrill rides. All rides at the park are free with admission.