29yrswithaGApass Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Source: Billboard.biz Exclusive: Six Flags Great Adventure Partnering With Area Event On 'Electric Adventure' EDM Fest August 20, 2012 | By Kerri Mason, New York Look out, Electric Daisy Carnival: There's another immersive EDM experience featuring DJs, costumed freaks, and amusement park rides - and not the temporary, rentable kind. Six Flags is partnering with New York-based Area Event to present Electric Adventure, Oct. 6 at Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park in Jackson, NJ. The one-off marks the amusement park chain's first-ever EDM event in the U.S. "We do upwards of 20 concerts a year here and are always looking for new opportunities," says Walter Simon, Marketing Manager at Six Flags Great Adventure. "We wanted to see if this type of event was viable." The full-day experience will feature performances from festival-headlining DJs like Alesso and Arty, against the backdrop of the 3.4-square-mile park, its 13 world-class rides (including iconic rollercoaster Great American Scream Machine, and vertical-drop speed-freak Kingda Ka), and Fright Fest, its annual Halloween celebration, featuring creepy décor and ghoulishly dressed actors haunting the entire property. "The added attractions that come with Six Flags are unmatched," says Area co-founder John Dimatteo. "Aside from the thrill of the music and the excitement of the show you have insane rides, Fright Fest, so many things. I'm sure some of the artists will want to go on those rides as well." Simon reached out to Area after a May 5 event at Six Flags México in Mexico City, featuring Dutch trance act Dash Berlin, was successful (gauged by an increase in overall attendance, as well as food, merchandise, parking and other ancillary receipts). "We try to do events that make the park appealing to different audience segments, and give them an extra reason to come out here for that day," says Simon, who references Six Flag's annual Praise in the Park gospel event, and Caribbean Summer reggae concert series as examples. The headlining DJ performances will take place in Six Flags' Northern Star Arena - enhanced by an upgraded sound, lighting and video package brought in by Area - but Dimatteo promises "other surprises" throughout the park. He's also working on bus transportation services from nearby New York and Philadelphia. GA admission will include the full park experience as well as the show; VIP packages add upgrades like privileged parking, access to Six Flags' Safari Ride, bar benefits for those 21+ (the event itself is all ages), and Six Flags' "Flash Pass," which allows patrons to skip long lines for rides. Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 24, via Wantickets.com (GA+ VIP), Ticketmaster.com (GA Only), and AreaEvent.com. It's a one-off for now, but Simon says that Electric Adventure could become a park mainstay, not necessarily timed to Fright Fest (a happy accident of scheduling this year). "Lets' see how it goes," he says. "We'd love to establish it and make it a part of our year. It's a no-brainer if it works out." Buoyed by Six Flags' well-known brand, considerable marketing budget, and built-in attractions, Electric Adventure could become a major player in the EDM festival wars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warnerleroy Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 when did the park grow to 3.4 square miles, shrink to just 13 "rides" and when did we get GASM back?!?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29yrswithaGApass Posted August 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 when did the park grow to 3.4 square miles, shrink to just 13 "rides" and when did we get GASM back?!?!? 2200 acres is 3.4 square miles and I am sure they meant 13 coasters. How they brought back Scream Machine is beyond me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAcoaster Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Another instance of someone in the corporate office having no idea what the parks have or don't have any longer. This should be interesting...hopefully they don't have people ODing on club drugs at the event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truepolak90 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Or worse, people having to be Rushed to hospital for going on coasters while under the influence of these club drugs. This seems like it'll be an interesting event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafreak Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 ill be there for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAcoaster Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I'm sure it will be a "Hard Ticket" event and not open to non-working employees or passholders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafreak Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 No info on areaevent or ticketmaster yet about the event, also it's not listed on Great Adventure's web site under events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Sure sounds like a day to stay home or go to a different park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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