Can't wait for summer to start your vacation? Six Flags America has the perfect solution: take a "day-cation!"
Six Flags America is open for the season, just in time to take a late spring break and get a jump start on summer fun. Drop the books, throw on the shades and head to Six Flags America from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. to beat the summer crowds and enjoy all of the park's rides and shows including Mega Mix Live, a musical revue featuring talented singers and dancers as well as Freedom, another high-spirited show which showcases the U.S.A. at its red, white and blue best.
For the younger guests, Six Flags America features a fully themed kiddie section affectionately named Looney Tunes Movie Town, which includes pint-sized rides, family attractions, games of skill geared for the younger set and best of all, the loveable Looney Tunes characters. Favorites like Bugs Bunny, Sylvester, Tweety and Daffy Duck are available for up-close interactions and photos. Plus, don't miss Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck as they duke it out in the Looney Tunes Talent Show. Or guests can sit down and relax at Six Flags Story Time.
Six Flags America offers eight coasters (five steel, two wooden and a scaled-down family coaster), more than 30 games of skill, cool shops, interactive attractions and multiple eateries.
Six Flags America will have weekend operations throughout May with a bonus Friday on May 16. Daily operation begins May 23. Hurricane Harbor Water Park opens May 24 to 26 with daily operation beginning May 31. General admission is $49.99; $34.99 for juniors (under 48 inches). A $10 discount is available if tickets are purchased online. Season passes are also available.
Six Flags America is 20 minutes west of Annapolis on Route 214. For more info, visit www.sixflags.com/america.
Courtesy photo
New Tony Hawk water slide
"Skate the wake" this summer at Six Flags America's Hurricane Harbor water park on the first-ever Tony Hawk's Halfpipe.
This edgy waterslide, branded after the superstar skateboarder Tony Hawk for its similarity in shape to that of a skateboarding halfpipe and its intense experience, offers a new form of watery thrills for the entire family.
Tony Hawk's Halfpipe stands four stories tall and sends guests flying down one side of the halfpipe's "ramp" and up vertically to the other on one- and two-person inner tubes. This water slide allows riders to experience on water what skateboarders experience on dry land: zero gravity. The frictionless surface helps create a free-fall effect as riders slip and slide forward and in reverse. But just before cresting over the edge ... water spray jets push the tube forward as guests "skate" to the bottom.
Tony Hawk's Halfpipe opens May 24.
Children's concert
Robbie Schaefer will entertain with "Songs For Kids Like Us" in a special noon concert May 10 at Rams Head On Stage.
For more than a decade Mr. Schaefer has played guitar and sung with the other adults in his band, "Eddie From Ohio." But his favorite musicians to play with are about 30 years younger.
What do Robbie and his favorite earthlings do when they get together? They sing songs about chicken lips, salamander thighs and nutty professors; they whisper and yell about cows at the bottom and top of their lungs; they march around the room like an emperor with no clothes on (just pretending, of course).
Tickets for all ages are $13.50 and are available online or at the box office.
Rams Head Tavern is at 33 West St. in Annapolis. For more information or to get tickets, call 410-268-4545 or visit tickets.ramsheadonstage.com.
Colonial Camp Kids Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road in Edgewater.
This event features a different activity and craft each hour. Children can make Indian necklaces, candles, leather journals, experience sword fighting, learn the art of quill and ink writing, learn Tomahawk throwing, block printing, and play Colonial games. Each one-hour session costs $5.
Chesapeake Children's Museum, 25 Silopanna Road in Annapolis, is hosting the following programs this week:
Children ages 8 and older can recycle old jewelry to create new works of wearable art from 10 a.m. to noon May 10. The cost is $8.
See Gatsby the Search and Rescue Horse from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. May 14. Jacquie Cowan will lead children through a "lost" game, teaching them to find a landmark if lost somewhere. Free for all ages.
A free drum circle will take place outdoors from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 16. Children can bring their own drums or use drums and rhythm instruments provided by the museum.
Admission is $3 for ages 1 and up. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except Wednesday. For info, call 410-990-1993 or visit www.theccm.org.
Preakness activities
There are many family-friendly events leading up to the May 17 running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.
The 35th Annual Preakness Parade is at 11 a.m. May 10 on Pratt Street in the heart of the Inner Harbor. The parade will step off at Howard and Conway streets and proceed up Howard Street to Pratt Street, ending at Market Place and Pratt. The parade will feature floats, helium balloon characters, equestrian units, military honor guard and marching bands. Free.
MECU's Pee Wee Preakness will be held at 11 a.m. May 13 at the Federal Hill Park in downtown Baltimore. In this "Mini Preakness" for tiny tots, kids bounce their way to the finish line on "Hippity Hops." Free.
Preakness Frog Hop will be held at noon May 14 at the War Memorial Plaza in front of City Hall. Even frogs catch the Preakness Spirit - past amphibian contestants have logged record jumps over 8 feet. Free.
Preakness Crab Derby will be held at noon May 15. Local celebrities race crabs to the finish, the winner receiving $500 to be donated to the charity of choice. For more info, call 410-685-6169 or visit www.lexingtonmarket.com. Free.
Preakness Balloon Festival runs from 3 p.m. May 15 to 6:30 a.m. May 17 at Turf Valley Resort. More than 20 balloons in unique shapes and colors will thrill fans as they launch, fly and glow over a two-day period until Preakness Day morning. Everyone can enjoy crafts, vendors and entertainment, and even some daring folks can have a chance to hitch a ride in a tethered balloon.
Events on May 15: 2 p.m., crafts/vendors and entertainment; 3 p.m., balloon tether rides (weather permitting); 6 p.m., balloons launch; 8:30 p.m., Balloon Glow. May 16 follows the same schedule, with the addition of a 6:30 a.m. balloon launch and fly over Howard County. On Preakness morning, May 17, there is a 6:30 a.m. launch and fly over Howard County.
For activities from 2 to 9:30 p.m., satellite parking for the public will be at the Howard County Fairgrounds, located at 2210 Fairgrounds Road in West Friendship. A donation of $5 per car will benefit the Elkridge Adult Athletic Association. Shuttle buses between the fairgrounds and Turf Valley will be available starting at 2 p.m. For the 6:30 a.m. balloon launches May 16-17.
