Knott’s Berry Farm Update: A Taste of the Merry Holiday Season Ahead

With Halloween in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to look forward to the holiday season. And oh man, is there something to look forward to this year. Knott’s recent Taste of Fall-O-Ween food festival was a huge success, with just the right amount of theme park fun (even without the rides) to help lift spirits. Expect even more seasonal fun for the next food event, “Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm.” Let’s take a look at the upcoming food fest, plus some of the news around the park. Grab your straw hat, and let’s head to the Farm!

Here’s What’s on the Way to Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm 

Over the last week, Knott’s has been setting up for the new Taste of Merry Farm event. As they prep the inside of the park for the holiday season, Knott’s has since released the full food line up, as well as which of the crafters will be returning. But with every passing day, more and more spots for the event are being filled, and the number of available days are dwindling. So, if you’re planning on checking out Taste of Merry Farm, you’d best buy your ticket now! Taste of Merry Farm will run on select days from November 20th-January 3rd.

Here’s what’s still available (as of the time of publication of this article):

Days and Event Hours:

• Friday, November 20, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Saturday, November 21, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Sunday, November 22, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Monday, November 23, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Tuesday, November 24, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Wednesday, November 25, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Thursday, November 26, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Friday, November 27, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Saturday, November 28, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Sunday, November 29, 2020: 12 PM – 8 PM  SOLD OUT
• Friday, December 4, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Saturday, December 5, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Sunday, December 6, 2020: 12 PM – 8 PM – SOLD OUT
• Friday, December 11, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Saturday, December 12, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Sunday, December 13, 2020: 12 PM – 8 PM – SOLD OUT
• Friday, December 18, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM – SOLD OUT
• Saturday, December 19, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Sunday, December 20, 2020:  12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Monday, December 21, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM  SOLD OUT
• Tuesday, December 22, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Wednesday, December 23, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Thursday, December 24, 2020: 12 PM – 8 PM
• Saturday, December 26, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Sunday, December 27, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Monday, December 28, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Tuesday, December 29, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Wednesday, December 30, 2020: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Friday, January 1, 2021: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Saturday, January 2, 2021: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Sunday, January 3, 2021: 12 PM – 8 PM

Knott’s Merry Farm Food Lineup:

While the original announcement for Taste of Merry Farm gave a sneak peek at some of the foods, the full listing is now available. I’m looking forward to stuffing my face with all sorts of holiday goodies! This new iteration of Knott’s food festival format has expanded to 32 booths and over 60 unique food items (offered on the tasting card). Some of the items that are expected to be popular can be found across multiple locations around the park. This helps keep queues shorter and spreads out crowds throughout the festival space. 

Onto the food! Here’s your task, look through the list below and pick the 5 items you’d use for your included tastes on your festival card. Let us know your selections in the comments below. (The letters at the start of each item correspond to the booth on the tasting card). 

A.     Wagon Wheel Pizza

• Cupid’s Corn Chowder Soup in a Bread Bowl with Chives
• Meatball, Cheese or Cauliflower Pizza Slice
• Pumpkin Pie Slice with Whipped Cream
• Chocolate Cranberry Tart
• Boysenberry Smoothie
• Cauliflower Pizza with Vegan Cheese and Peppers

B.     Spurs Booth

• Turkey Dinner Big Bites – Turkey, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, and Gravy
• Pomegranate Molasses Brussel Sprouts garnished with Shaved Almonds

C.     Pemmican Pickle

• Merry Mint and Pineapple Aqua Fresca
• Boysenberry Citrus Mule – Sabe Citrus, Boysenberry Punch, and Ginger Beer

D.     Calico Tater Bites

• Tater Tots topped with Turkey, Stuffing, Gravy, and Cranberry Sauce
• Green Bean Fries with a Creamy Mushroom Dipping Sauce

E.     Sutter’s Grill

• Gyro with Butternut Squash Slaw, Tzatziki, and Pickled Red Onions in a Naan Bread
• Turkey Dinner Tater Tots – Tater Tots topped with Turkey, Stuffing, Gravy, and Cranberry Sauce
• Green Bean Fries with a Creamy Mushroom Dipping Sauce
• Vegan Chicken Tenders tossed in Buffalo Sauce served in a Pita with a Carrot and Celery Vegan Ranch Slaw

F.      Sutter’s Funnel Cake

• Strawberry Funnel Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, Sprinkles, and Raspberry Drizzle
• Comet’s Cinnamon Bun with a Maple Glaze and Candied Pecans
• Red Raspberry Cheesecake Slice with Whipped Cream and Raspberry Drizzle

G.    Silver Bullet Booth

• Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese with Parmesan and a Panko Crumb Topping
• Veggie Chili with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
• Assorted Beers
• Red, White, Boysenberry, or Hot Mulled Wine
• Boysenberry Sangria
• Pineapple Cider

H.    Ghost Town Grub

• Strawberry Funnel Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, Sprinkles, and Raspberry Drizzle
• Comet’s Cinnamon Bun with a Maple Glaze and Candied Pecans
• Red Raspberry Cheesecake Slice with Whipped Cream and Raspberry Drizzle

I.       Fireman’s BBQ

• Apple and Chicken Sausage with Boysenberry Mustard
• Corn on the Cob with a Garlic Herb Butter and Cotija Cheese
• Rudolph’s Winter Pear Lemonade – Lemonade with Pear, Whipped Cream, and a Ginger Rim

J.      Wilderness Broiler

• Deli Style Turkey, Brie, and Arugula Sandwich with a Boysenberry-Cranberry Relish, served with French Fries
• Green Bean Fries with a Creamy Mushroom Dipping Sauce
• Blitzen’s Christmas Tree Bundt Cake – Red Velvet Cake with Chocolate Chips and topped with a Decorated Waffle Cone
• Rudolph’s Winter Pear Lemonade – Lemonade with Pear, Whipped Cream, and a Ginger Rim

K.     Wilderness Dance Hall Patio

• Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese with Parmesan and a Panko Crumb Topping
• Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Noodle Soup with a Biscuit and Jam
• Assorted Beers
• Red, White, Boysenberry, or Hot Mulled Wine
• Seasonal Sangria
• Seasonal Cider

L.      Gourmet Churro Factory

• Peppermint Swirl Cheesecake Stuffed Churro
• Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Bars with White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
• Eggnog Brulee with a Butter Cookie
• Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and a Candy Cane

M.   Chowhouse Ice Cream

• Raspberry and White Chocolate Cookiewich with Strawberry Soft Serve Ice Cream
• Elf’s Float – Lime and Sugar Plum ICEE with Vanilla Soft Serve
• Rudolph’s Winter Pear Lemonade – Lemonade with Pear, Whipped Cream, and a Ginger Rim

N.    Calico Saloon

• Assorted Beers
• Red, White, Boysenberry, or Hot Mulled Wine
• Boysenberry Sangria
• Pineapple Cider
• Boysenberry Smoothie
• Boysenberry Citrus Mule – Sabe Citrus, Boysenberry Punch, and Ginger Beer

O.    Judge Roy Bean

• Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Noodle Soup with a Biscuit and Jam
• Assorted Beers
• Red, White, or Boysenberry Wine
• Boysenberry Sangria
• Pineapple Cider
• Boysenberry Smoothie

P.     Log Ride Funnel Cake

• Strawberry Funnel Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, Sprinkles, and Raspberry Drizzle
• Comet’s Cinnamon Bun with a Maple Glaze and Candied Pecans
• Red Raspberry Cheesecake Slice with Whipped Cream and Raspberry Drizzle
• Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and a Candy Cane

Q.    Log Ride Mix-It-Up

• Elf’s Float – Lime and Sugar Plum ICEE with Vanilla Soft Serve

R.     Strictly On-A-Stick

• Mistletoe Maple Syrup Breakfast Sausage Dog
• Merry Mint and Pineapple Aqua Fresca

S.      Charleston Circle Coffee

• Acai Bowl with Granola, Raspberries, Cran-raisins, and Nutella
• Boysenberry Smoothie
• Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and a Candy Cane
• Chocolate Cranberry Tart
• Chai White Russian
• Hot Apple Cider

T.     Hollywood Hits

• Prancer’s Pesto Chicken Pizza Slice
• Pepperoni Pizza Slice
• Pepperoni or Cauliflower Pizza Slice
• Cauliflower Pizza with Vegan Cheese and Peppers
• Cupid’s Corn Chowder Soup in a Bread Bowl with Chives
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Pizza Slice with Vanilla Ice Cream
• Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and a Candy Cane
• Elf’s Float – Lime and Sugar Plum ICEE with Vanilla Soft Serve
• Assorted Beers
• Red, White, Boysenberry, or Hot Mulled Wine
• Pineapple Cider
• Frozen Cherry Lime Margarita
• Frosty Jack and Coke
• Boysenberry Citrus Mule – Sabe Citrus, Boysenberry Punch, and Ginger Beer
• Champagne and Boysenberry Ice Cream Float

U.    Charleston Circle Booth

• Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese with Parmesan and a Panko Crumb Topping
• Veggie Chili with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

V.     Boardwalk Pier Booth

• Apple and Chicken Sausage with Boysenberry Mustard
• Corn on the Cob with a Garlic Herb Butter and Cotija Cheese

W.   Coasters Diner

• Vixen’s Turkey Burger with Cheese, Cranberry Mayo, and Stuffing on a Pretzel Bun, served with French Fries
• Knott’s Holiday Bowl with Chicken Tenders, Mashers, Corn, Stuffing, Gravy, and Cranberry Sauce
• Cold Salmon Winter Salad – Spinach, Apples, Pecans, Cranberries, and a Raspberry Vinaigrette
• Chicken Tenders with a Ranch Dipping Sauce
• Veggie Burger on a Pretzel Bun with a Spinach Aioli, served with French Fries
• Rudolph’s Winter Pear Lemonade – Lemonade with Pear, Whipped Cream, and a Ginger Rim
• Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and a Candy Cane
• Assorted Beers
• Assorted Wine
• Frozen Cherry Lime Margarita
• Frosty Jack and Coke

X.     Boardwalk BBQ

• Hot Turkey Sandwich with Turkey, Stuffing, Cranberry Mayo, and Gravy, served with Mashed Potatoes
• Spiral Ham with Scallop Potatoes
• Scrooge’s Spicy Cranberry-Pomegranate Glazed Wings
• Eggnog Brulee with a Butter Cookie
• Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
• Assorted Beers
• Red, White, or Boysenberry Wine
• Boysenberry Sangria
• Pineapple Cider
• Champagne and Boysenberry Ice Cream Float

Y.     Dippin’ Dots

• North Pole Oatmeal Toffee Cookiewich with Pralines & Cream Hand Scooped Ice Cream
• Eggnog Ice Cream and Barqs Root Beer Float
• Concha Stuffed with Ice Cream

Z.      La Papa Loca

• Festive Popcorn Chicken, Cheese, and French Fry Bowl
• Beef Empanadas served with Salsa
• Horchata

AA.  Fiesta Dogs

• Pozole with Cabbage, Cilantro, Onions, and Lime
• Mexican Street Corn Salad with Tortilla Chips – Served Cold
• Chicken Enchiladas with Spanish Rice
• Vegan Dog
• Horchata
• Assorted Beers
• Assorted Wine

BB. Fiesta Booth

• Pumpkin Pie Slice with Whipped Cream
• Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Bars with White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
• Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
• Horchata
• Assorted Beers
• Michelada

CC.  Cantina

• Carne Asada Street Tacos with Guacamole
• Pork Tamale with Salsa Roja and Spanish Rice
• Frozen Cherry Lime Margarita
• Boysenberry Slushy Sangria
• Horchata
• Estrella Jalisco Pilsner
• Michelada

DD. Cave Inn

• “Ode to Santa” – Milk or Eggnog with Candy Cane Cookies
• Blitzen’s Christmas Tree Bundt Cake – Red Velvet Cake with Chocolate Chips and topped with a Decorated Waffle Cone
• Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and a Candy Cane
• Chocolate Cranberry Tart
• Elf’s Float – Lime and Sugar Plum ICEE with Vanilla Soft Serve
• Merry Mint and Pineapple Aqua Fresca

EE.  Grizzly Creek Lodge

• Knott’s Holiday Bowl with Chicken Tenders, Mashers, Corn, Stuffing, Gravy, and Cranberry Sauce
• Turkey Dinner Big Bites – Turkey, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, and Gravy
• Plain or Ham Mac and Cheese
• Vegan Mac and Cheese
• Chicken Tenders with a Ranch Dipping Sauce
• Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and a Candy Cane
• Hot Apple Cider
• Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake Bars with White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
• Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
• Pumpkin Pie Slice with Whipped Cream

Knott’s Merry Farm Crafter Booth Line Up

If you’ve been to Knott’s Merry Farm during normal times, you found the streets of Calico lined with craft booths, offering artisanal products and handmade gifts. These wares make for perfect stocking stuffers while supporting local shopkeepers and artisans. We’re happy to report that they’ll be returning for Taste of Merry Farm! Here’s who you can expect to find:

• Chainsaw Carving – Watch as professional Chainsaw Carvers create unique and stunning wood pieces. A variety of product sizes are available for you to take home!

• Freedman Glass – Professional Glass artist Myles Freedman creates hand-blown glass masterpieces. Freedman’s art glass is aesthetic beauty immersed in 3-dimensional work.
  
• A Cute Little Shop – Hand-painted and crafted gifts and decor. Free personalization available.
• Beaded Jewelry – Be sure to check out this collection of beaded jewelry and accessories.
• Build a Beanie – A truly unique experience. These experts in headwear will assist in creating a product just for you. Add flair and scents to create a custom product.
• Carlos Martinez Jr – Local SoCal artist specializing in pop culture mashups.
• Celtic Rings – Hand-crafted, custom-designed Celtic rings.
• The Crafty Soaps – Handmade and handcrafted natural soaps, body butter, scrubs, beard oils, and loofah soaps.
• Creative Sea Creations – Beautiful and creative jewelry, home decor items, and novelty pins.
• Collective Scents – Artisanal studio that specializes in plant-based natural gifts made in small batches using the finest ingredients.
• The Dragon Flame Shop – Unique material used to create enchanting stuffed animals, bags, totes, and so much more!
• Flores Honey – Southern California local beekeeper, selling honey and bee products.
  
• Headbands & Bows – A perfect way to add a special touch to your wardrobe. The very best in unique or custom, handmade products!
• Hecho A Mano – Handcrafted apparel, clothes, bibs, aprons.
• Leafy Love – Specializing in handcrafting loose leaf tea blends. Each tea blend is designed to provide different benefits while nourishing the body with antioxidants.
• Miss Doolittle’s – Home of all kinds of tutus, hair bows, cute crochet, and knitted hats, wooden garden decor, and princess goodies of all kinds!
  
• Pattrashome Yarn Animals & Crafts – Products are uniquely designed and handmade with quality.
• Puro Nuez – Light and crunchy to chewy and substantial, you’re sure to find a nut that will make your mouth water.
• The Purple Monkey – One-of-a-kind bejeweled and decorated unique art, gifts, and home decor. Hand tie-dyed adult and children’s apparel, including dresses and t-shirts.
• Rhitrie Crystals – Purveyors of unique and exquisite gems, crystals, and jewelry.
• WDRingstamp – Personalized stamping on a stainless steel ring.
• Whimsical Charm – Luxe gifts for your posh tot. Specialists in luxurious embroidered baby blankets, robes, and swaddles.

Season Pass Ornaments

Keeping in Merry Farm tradition, there was a Season Passholder Holiday Ornament created for this year. That said, instead of the ornaments being handed out at the Season Passholder Holiday Party, Knott’s released the ornaments for free via online pre-order for pickup during Taste of Merry Farm. Unfortunately, supplies ran short and all the ornaments sold out quickly before all the Season Passholders could snag one for themselves.

If you were lucky enough to score a pre-order, you’ll be able to pick up your ornament with the voucher starting November 20 through December 24 daily in the California Marketplace. Participating locations include Peanuts Headquarters, Virginia’s Giftshop, and the Marketplace Emporium.

Knott’s Hotel Packages

The Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel has been open for the past few months and has been offering special hotel packages to guests of their Taste-Events. Knott’s is also offering a Taste of Merry Farm hotel package that includes room accommodations, Taste of Merry Farm event ticket, and a 20% off coupon good at the on-site TGI Fridays or Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. Season Passholders can receive an additional discount on the package.

 

Cedar Fair’s 3rd Quarter Results

Cedar Fair, Knott’s Berry Farm’s parent company, released their Third Quarter earnings results last week. As expect, they weren’t for the faint of heart, and that’s saying something for a company famous for their roller coasters. Total revenue for the company dropped to $87 million, down from $627 million in the same quarter last year, an 88% decrease. Cedar Fair was operating 7 out of its 13 parks. The company’s CEO, Richard Zimmerman, said during the earning call: “Having the opportunity to open and operate 7 of our 13 properties, after the March shutdown, was important and extremely valuable for our team and our company. … Our parks did a great job adjusting their operations to provide our guests with the best possible experience within the necessary health and safety guidelines.”

The company saw total attendance for the quarter reach 1.3 Million Guests across all their parks, a decline of 90%, from 11.9 Million from the same quarter last year. During the initial months of 2020, parks attendance reached 20-25% of comparable levels to last years. Attendance improved from around 23% in July to 55% in September. August through October the parks saw a steady 40% attendance rate. Season Pass holders made up of about 55% of total attendance in their respected parks, compared to 46% during the same time last year. Two of Cedar Fair’s larger parks, Cedar Point and Kings Island, reached their attendance caps a few times during their Fall Weekend Festivals they were holding. Cedar Fair has also declared, if they have to, they will delay park reopenings based on initial low guest demand or forced low attendance caps being placed on the park by local governments.

Cedar Fair has suspended all new large capital expenditures (i.e. new attraction construction) across the company. The company will continue to finish current in-the-work projects that are being constructed as well as critical infrastructure projects. Any new attractions that were scheduled to open in 2020 will have their Grand Openings pushed to 2021 or until the park returns to normal operations (such as “Knott’s Berry Tales: Return to the Fair,” which will be delayed until full park reopening). Cedar Fair, at the moment, will not commit to any future attractions, allowing the company to remain flexible for the 2021 and 2022 seasons based on the speed of the recovery for the theme park industry.

Knott’s Berry Farm’s Taste-Events have been so popular that the company is currently looking to duplicate them in other parks that have not resumed normal operations. Carowinds is the first park to take a bite with their “Taste of the Season” event. Carowinds is located on the boarder between North and South Carolina, were the park has to obey COVID Guidelines for both states, and an event like this will help bring in some much need revenue to the park after not being able to open at all this year. 

Around the Farm

Welcome to the California Marketplace. Knott’s is hard at work decking the halls for the Taste of Merry Farm and the Christmas Season overall. Christmas is really going to feel strange this year, but we expect Knott’s to pull out all the stops and produce a beautifully themed event. Prep work was just getting started during our visit, but signs of the Holidays are beginning to appear. As we peak through the front gate, we can still see signage retaining to Taste of Falloween just inside the turnstiles.

Around the corner, we can see a scissor lift parked just behind the park gate.

And just beyond that, we can see Christmas lights adorning the buildings of Ghost Town.

A few display windows around the marketplace still have the remnants of Halloween, but most now have a touch of seasonal magic.

A few pieces of Christmas merchandise are scattered around Peanut Headquarters with new shipments expected any day now.

A fun little photo op has appeared in Peanuts Headquarters as you could pose with Linus, Lucy, and Peppermint Patty inside the shop windows with a nice seasonal wreath as a background. (Although with Lucy, there is pretty tough angle for the shot…I mean, to get her best side.)

A New Sign?

On one of your future visits to the Farm, you may be greeted by a brand new marquee sign. A few weeks ago the old sign was damaged during a vehicle accident in the Beach Blvd and La Palma Ave intersection. Currently, the sign has been boarded up while we wait for a new one to be installed.

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That’s it for now. Be sure to check back after the 20th  s weeks with our thought from Taste of Merry Farm!

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