When the Black Cat’s in town, it’s time to get down! – Dwight “Black Cat” Carrier
After some tumultuous years involving Levi’s Stadium and rumors of the park’s very demise, the 40th anniversary of California’s Great America comes complete with a plateful of optimism unknown at any previous moment in its history. Cedar Fair president and CEO, Matt Ouimet, has publicly stated “We are prepared to invest in a collection of new rides, attractions and shows”. And while the city of Santa Clara owns the land, the park has a solid lease through 2074, and the right of first refusal should it go on the market. “No matter what happens to the land, this is going to be a great amusement park” according to Ouimet.
This year that has scene a complete technical overhaul of the Action Theater and the wonderful Mass Effect New Earth 3D attraction, and the first Winterfest (which will include the transformation of the park’s signature fountain into an ice rink). They are also wanting to create traditions along the lines of the Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Festival. While it can be tricky finding such an event that will resonate within the community, they took a step in the right direction with the premier of Taste of Orleans.
For these two weekends, the Orleans Place section has seen the addition of live music, chalk artists, and, you may have been tipped off by the word “Taste”, special eats from the Big Easy. So after getting in a few coaster rides, and with tasting cards Great America graciously provided to MiceChat, we settled in to a shady table to absorb it all.
Though the decor was a bit sparse, talented and imaginative artists brought color and whimsy with chalk.
With my musical leanings, I had a feeling that this was an image that would resonate, so I made a point to watch the evolution of pavement to art as the afternoon progressed.
Filling in the gaps were the food booths. Food cards were available for $25, and included six different items: red beans & rice, Creole meatballs, chicken-andouille gumbo, crawfish etoufee, bourbon house BBQ chicken wings and two beignets.
Here’s the thing, I get food to eat, not photograph. I am aware that some people obsessively photograph every plate set before them, and more power to them, but it ain’t me babe. But I did remember twice for the wings and the etoufee, which was served over hot dog.
My wife and I both thought the etoufee had a familiar taste, which we both failed to place. I may have harassed crawdads as a kid in Alabama, but eating them never occurred to us. IT was OK, but when I was asked if I wanted mustard, I said yes. Turns out the correct answer was no. The weak link was really the link itself; Great America isn’t renowned for their hot dogs. The wings were hard for the cooks to keep in stock, the meatballs had a sweet flavor that was a surprise and tasty, and there were big chunks of meat in the gumbo, which I poured over the rice, yum. While two beignets may seem woefully inadequate, the servings were all sizable with six wings, three big meatballs and the like. Two people could easily use one card and be happy splitting the items. I suppose they could also split a wine/beer tasting card for the same price, with 6 4oz pours of either beverage.
Throughout the afternoon four different bands provided an upbeat soundtrack with a heavy dose of zydeco. Tucked in the shade near the entrance to the rarely used Redwood Amphitheater, the music got underway at noon with Bay Area accordionist Andre Thierry.
Later in the day, the stage was occupied by Left Coast Syncopaters, with a couple of horns to flesh out their sound.
In the bright sunlight near Flight Deck, Motordude Zydeco held court during the set change on the other stage. Their washboard man was truly entertainingly crazy, but I don’t believe those stories about washboard players only being on stage because the rest of the band are worried that he’ll steal their stuff during the show.
Finally, St Gabrie’ls Celestial Brass Band concluded the scheduled entertainment. And like any new Orleans brass band, that meant hitting the pavement. Gotta say, though, don’t think much about that tuba player’s chances; you Star Trek fans know what I mean.
For the conclusion of their performance, St Gabrie’ls Celestial Brass Band was joined on stage by accordionist Dwight “Black Cat” Carrier, so even the “Only” Authentic New Orleans Traditional Jazz Funeral And Mardi Gras Marching Band west of New Orleans had the flavor of the bayou. This stage was more noticeable than the other, and consequently held the attention of passers-by more than the shadier counterpart.
A special fireworks show with multiple launch points was set for the evening, but I couldn’t bring myself to hang out for another three hours waiting once the scheduled entertainment concluded. Turns out that there was some unlisted fun going down during the interim, whether a stilt walker dancing, a stilt walker trying not to fall or some balcony music, the park kept the party going. Will this be a regular thing? Too soon to say, although there was an annual Orleans by The Bay event that was popular while it lasted at nearby Shoreline Amphitheater. We’ll not see Dr John playing by a roller coaster anytime soon, trying to connect with the community is a worthy goal.
So, fireworks missed, but you know what? I just may drop by on the 30th to check them out. In the 35 years since my first visit to Great America, I don’t think I’ve ever stayed there for nine straight hours. Even when working there, I did these diabolical split shifts that saw me back home in the afternoon. But this event got me to want to stay. And Gold Striker is a great woodie. And I’m still happy to repeat Mass Effect, which is also a good choice for my wife and her coaster averse knees. I have high hopes for the future of this park. It’s going to be fun to see what happens, but that will be another Day By The Bay.
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