North America's Only Theme Park Anime Festival Returns to Paramount's Great America in 2003
ParaCon Festival Features Anime Movie Premieres, Anime Games and "Free Play" Arcade
Santa Clara, Calif. -- (Sept. 17, 2003) -- The excitement of Japanese animation (Anime) comes to life at Paramount's Great America on Sunday, Oct. 19 during the third annual ParaCon Festival, the only theme park Anime festival in North America.
Japanese Animation, referred to by enthusiasts as "Anime," has exceeded pop culture and transitioned into the U.S. cultural landscape -- particularly among people who are passionate about cartooning and gaming. Some examples of Anime include legendary hip - hop artist Jay-Z's clothing and top programming on Cartoon Network such as "Dragon Ball Z." In fact, the name "ParaCon" itself is an Anime term for the words "Paramount' and "Convention."
Highlights of the daylong ParaCon Festival include:
Screenings of the latest Anime movie releases from Tokyo Pop, Bandai Entertainment, Manga Entertainment, and ADV Films on a 9-story tall screen in the Pictorium Theater;
Meet and greet sessions with Anime personalities including; Shane Callahan (Blue Submarine #6, Elf princess Rain), Keith Burgess (Akuma/Gouki from Street Fighter Alpha: The Anime), Carl Horn (Editor of Neon Genesis Evangelion-Viz, LLC), and DJ Q-Bert (Wave Twisters/Thud Rumble/Mixxteriuos);
Access to the "free play" arcade in the County Fair Games Gallery;
Opportunities to play the latest import games from Japan including "Dance Dance Revolution," and other popular Benami games;
ParaCon karaoke and costume contests throughout the day.
"We're very excited to join America's only theme park anime festival where our new movie, Omishi Magical Theater Risky Safety, will debut on a 9-story screen," said Krystyn Jones, Creative & Marketing Director, AN Entertainment.
Shane Callahan, a voice actor from Cartoon Networks "Blue submarine" an "Elf Princess Rain" will be at Paracon meeting and greeting with fans. "Paracon is an 'unforgettable' event that allows participants to experience all the excitement of an Anime convention, while enjoying the thrills of a theme park."
Discount tickets to ParaCon are available online at www.pgathrills.com before Oct. 12 for $25.99. ParaCon tickets include park admission, a full-color access badge, and all ParaCon activities. Tickets may also be purchased day of the event for $29.99. VIP Season Pass and WOW! Cardholders may purchase ParaCon tickets for $10.00 by presenting their passes at the front gate
In recent years, Anime fans have increasingly met at conventions throughout the country to make new friends, learn how to design Anime, see the latest Anime premieres, and purchase Anime merchandise. The San Francisco Bay Area is already known for its large Anime fan base and successful conventions such as the Fanime Convention at the Santa Clara Convention Center, one of the largest Anime Festivals in the U.S.
Paramount's Great America is owned and operated by Paramount Parks.
Paramount Parks is a leading developer and operator of world-class theme parks and location-based attractions, entertaining more than 13 million guests annually. The company currently owns and operates five of the most popular theme parks in North America including: Paramount Canada's Wonderland (Toronto, Ontario, Canada); Paramount's Carowinds (Charlotte, N.C.); Paramount's Great America (Santa Clara, Calif.); Paramount's Kings Dominion (Richmond, Va.); and Paramount's Kings Island (Cincinnati, Ohio). The company also developed and manages the award-winning STAR TREK: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton (Las Vegas, Nev.) and manages Bonfante Gardens horticultural theme park (Gilroy, Calif.); CBS Television City at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.); and Terra Mitica theme park (Benidorm, Valencia, Spain). More information about Paramount Parks is available at www.paramountparks.com.
Viacom is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, music and comedy. Viacom's well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Viacom Outdoor, Infinity, UPN, Spike TV, TV Land, CMT: Country Music Television, Comedy Central, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.
Santa Clara, Calif. -- (Sept. 17, 2003) -- The excitement of Japanese animation (Anime) comes to life at Paramount's Great America on Sunday, Oct. 19 during the third annual ParaCon Festival, the only theme park Anime festival in North America.
Japanese Animation, referred to by enthusiasts as "Anime," has exceeded pop culture and transitioned into the U.S. cultural landscape -- particularly among people who are passionate about cartooning and gaming. Some examples of Anime include legendary hip - hop artist Jay-Z's clothing and top programming on Cartoon Network such as "Dragon Ball Z." In fact, the name "ParaCon" itself is an Anime term for the words "Paramount' and "Convention."
Highlights of the daylong ParaCon Festival include:
Screenings of the latest Anime movie releases from Tokyo Pop, Bandai Entertainment, Manga Entertainment, and ADV Films on a 9-story tall screen in the Pictorium Theater;
Meet and greet sessions with Anime personalities including; Shane Callahan (Blue Submarine #6, Elf princess Rain), Keith Burgess (Akuma/Gouki from Street Fighter Alpha: The Anime), Carl Horn (Editor of Neon Genesis Evangelion-Viz, LLC), and DJ Q-Bert (Wave Twisters/Thud Rumble/Mixxteriuos);
Access to the "free play" arcade in the County Fair Games Gallery;
Opportunities to play the latest import games from Japan including "Dance Dance Revolution," and other popular Benami games;
ParaCon karaoke and costume contests throughout the day.
"We're very excited to join America's only theme park anime festival where our new movie, Omishi Magical Theater Risky Safety, will debut on a 9-story screen," said Krystyn Jones, Creative & Marketing Director, AN Entertainment.
Shane Callahan, a voice actor from Cartoon Networks "Blue submarine" an "Elf Princess Rain" will be at Paracon meeting and greeting with fans. "Paracon is an 'unforgettable' event that allows participants to experience all the excitement of an Anime convention, while enjoying the thrills of a theme park."
Discount tickets to ParaCon are available online at www.pgathrills.com before Oct. 12 for $25.99. ParaCon tickets include park admission, a full-color access badge, and all ParaCon activities. Tickets may also be purchased day of the event for $29.99. VIP Season Pass and WOW! Cardholders may purchase ParaCon tickets for $10.00 by presenting their passes at the front gate
In recent years, Anime fans have increasingly met at conventions throughout the country to make new friends, learn how to design Anime, see the latest Anime premieres, and purchase Anime merchandise. The San Francisco Bay Area is already known for its large Anime fan base and successful conventions such as the Fanime Convention at the Santa Clara Convention Center, one of the largest Anime Festivals in the U.S.
Paramount's Great America is owned and operated by Paramount Parks.
Paramount Parks is a leading developer and operator of world-class theme parks and location-based attractions, entertaining more than 13 million guests annually. The company currently owns and operates five of the most popular theme parks in North America including: Paramount Canada's Wonderland (Toronto, Ontario, Canada); Paramount's Carowinds (Charlotte, N.C.); Paramount's Great America (Santa Clara, Calif.); Paramount's Kings Dominion (Richmond, Va.); and Paramount's Kings Island (Cincinnati, Ohio). The company also developed and manages the award-winning STAR TREK: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton (Las Vegas, Nev.) and manages Bonfante Gardens horticultural theme park (Gilroy, Calif.); CBS Television City at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.); and Terra Mitica theme park (Benidorm, Valencia, Spain). More information about Paramount Parks is available at www.paramountparks.com.
Viacom is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, music and comedy. Viacom's well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Viacom Outdoor, Infinity, UPN, Spike TV, TV Land, CMT: Country Music Television, Comedy Central, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.
bookmark/share with:
