The citizens of Calico are staking claim to new territory. They are taking to the wild river just outside of town to make their way West, toward wilderness and adventure . . . and you’re invited to join them. But beware . . . there’s rumor of a giant Bigfoot in the woods.
On Friday the 17th, Knott’s unveiled their newest attraction, Big Foot Calico River Rapids. Yes, this ride has been in the park since 1987, but you’ve never seen it like this before. The old river ride was, well, just a ride. It had little theme other than a beautiful setting. The new version adds story, animatronics, show scenes, surprises, beautiful nighttime lighting, and interactive elements which allow guests on land to explode dynamite under passing rafts. It really is a whole new experience.
Ironically, the old version of the ride had “Bigfoot” in its name, but didn’t actually have a Bigfoot in the ride. The new version doesn’t have Bigfoot in the name any longer, but it has added the big hairy monster to the story. I can remember riding as a child and wondering where the Bigfoot was. . . today’s kids won’t have to wonder, they’ll know that Sasquatch is real.
The expanded Ghost Town storyline revolves around explorers Potts and Colter, who were a real part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. You’ll find their cabin in the queue of the attraction. Speaking of the queue, Knott’s has put almost as much attention into the theme of the queue as the attraction itself. As guests snake their way through the winding path to board their rafts, they’ll get great views of some of the show scenes. But there are a few scenes that can only be seen from the queue, including the large covered cabin which serves as switchback and preshow to the main event.
Everything has been clad in rough timber, and most backstage elements have been cleverly hidden away. The transformation is extensive and beautifully executed.
Guests will walk away delighted with the story and the whimsical characters they encountered. Eagle eyed guests will note that the characters, built by Garner Holt Productions, evoke the look of the people and critters of the Log Ride and Mine Train in Calico proper. Great pains were taken to make these durable outdoor animated figures look like the more delicate indoor figures just around the river bend.
We had the pleasure to ride the attraction several times with the Garner Holt staff, who were as pleased as they could be that Knott’s reached out to them to work this little bit of magic. As our raft made its way back to the unload station, Garner called out “Let’s do that again.” And away we went, laughing as each wave crested the raft.
“Look, there’s the woodpecker.” “We’re safe from that bear, he’s got himself a nice river trout.” “Watch out for those kids over there, they’re going to blow up the dynamite under us.” Garner’s like a big kid, and he gets to build the rides and stories that make the rest of us adults feel like kids too. He’s truly an entertainment legend. A real honor to spend a few rides around the river with him.
Knott’s VP of Entertainment, Ken Parks, spoke with us about the new ride and working with Garner Holt Productions:
Knott’s award-winning Ghost Town Alive interactive story/theater will expand all the way to Calico River Rapids when it debuts this Summer. For the grand opening, all the characters were on hand and it really adds to the whole experience of the new ride.
The citizens of Calico open the river territory:
Most good attractions have a backstory that designers use when creating attractions. Often the guests have a good idea of what the rides are about, but rarely learn the entire story of the attraction. With Ghost Town Alive, guests are able to interact with the characters to learn all sorts of details about the river, the “Skunk Ape” (Bigfoot), Potts and Coulter, and the interpersonal dramas between individual characters of Calico and the great uncharted territories.
Ghost Town Alive debuts May 24th, Calico River Rapids is dousing guests now.
There’s also a limited amount of merchandise in a small kiosk near the attraction. Guests will find a couple of t-shirts and a limited edition pin.
Well folks, are you ready to stake you claim? We heartily recommend taking a trip to the farm on an uncrowded weekday before the summer swarms arrive. We think you’ll have a berry good time in the great untamed West.
