California’s Great America kicked off the season celebrating its gold jubilee, perhaps the last major milestone the regional attraction is likely to hit.

The park opened its gates for the first time in 2026 on March 28. Having opened in 1976, the theme park celebrated 50 years in Santa Clara.

Several special events highlighted opening weekend. Guests received a commemorative button. The Peanuts Gang also highlighted a special ceremony, held at the Carousel Columbia. Original music from the park’s earliest years made a triumphant return, aiming to stoke nostalgia for longtime fans. 

Included with admission, patrons also got access to the waterpark, which opens May 23. 

Finally, fireworks will paint the night sky on May 24. Additional fireworks displays are slated for July 4 and Sept. 6. 

Since first welcoming guests five decades ago, the park, located at 4701 Great America Parkway Drive, continues to showcase its iconic features — its double-decker carousel to the first-of-its-kind, single-rail rollercoaster, RailBlazer, highlighting the park’s evolution from its “Marriott’s Great America” roots to a modern-day destination.

On hand for the festivities were several employees from the park’s first year. 

Among them was John Poimiroo, who served as the park’s publicist in its early days.

“The park has always been really important to the city,” he said. “I remember it as a very loving portrayal of America’s greatness … It continues to be a very important part of the community of the Bay Area.”

As a theme park, Great America used to emphasize a common thread throughout its various portions of the park — Hometown Square, County Fair, Yukon Territory, Yankee Harbor, Orleans Place, Carousel Plaza.

The park’s carousel cost $1.5 million at the time, the most expensive at the time.

But sensibilities change. The park has seen a gradual evolution since its inception. Over the years, park management has eliminated underused attractions, homogenizing the park in the process.

“What’s changed is the themes have been lost,” Poimiroo said. “There isn’t an obsession with communicating that theme … the shops, the shows, the rides … were all themed.”

However, Poimiroo said adjusting to guests’ expectations is just good park management.

In addition to lifelong friendships, working for Great America taught him creativity, aggression in marketing and to never overlook an opportunity.

Now operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., Great America has changed hands six times since opening. 

In 2019, Cedar Fair bought the 112 acres of land beneath the park, and in 2022, it sold it to Prologis, which agreed to lease back the land for six to 11 years. After absorbing Prologis, Six Flags CFO Brian Witherow said last June that the park would close after the 2027 season if the company didn’t extend the lease.

No announcement to renew the lease has been made.

When visiting Santa Clara, Poimiroo said, the amount of development surrounding the park struck him. In the beginning, it was all “open fields and dirt.” These days, he said, you can barely see the park’s entrance.

“Silicon Valley has become too valuable. All along, the value of Silicon Valley … was going to overwhelm the amusement park as successful as it is,” he said. “Yeah, people are going to be upset to see the park go. It is a likelihood, but it is not a certainty.”

Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com