Cedar Point is celebrating Christmas in July in a very special way.
Friday through Sunday, July 24-26, the U.S. Marine Corp will reward anyone who brings a brand new toy to the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort with a coupon good for a $29.99 regular one-day admission ticket to the park ( a savings of $15), valid only on that day.
All of the toys will be used for the U.S. Marines Toy for Tots campaign. Marines will be posted at each entrance to the park to collect the toys and distribute the coupons. The toy must be worth $5 or more.
Christmas in July is fast becoming a major annual event at Cedar Point. In addition to Toys for Tots, Santa (who has the summer off) has also agreed to be at Cedar Point throughout the weekend. He'll be here with special photo opportunities for all the good boys and girls who come to Cedar Point that weekend.
Besides other special holiday touches throughout the weekend, it is rumored that Santa will have special ticket discounts on Cedar Point's web site (cedarpoint.com) only on July 25.
Holiday excitement aside, the real reason for this event is to obtain toys for the Marine Corps to distribute at Christmas.
"It's no secret that our country is experiencing a devastating recession and things aren't expected to be much better by the Christmas holiday season," said retired Marine Corps Major Bill Grein, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "That means that there will be many more families with children who will need our help. We feel very fortunate to have Cedar Point on our team to kick off our 2009 Toys for Tots campaign." Maj. Grein added, "You can fulfill the Christmas dreams of a less-fortunate child and you'll feel like a million dollars."
All toys will be collected by uniformed U.S. Marine Corps volunteers including retired and active personnel. Each toy must be brand new and in its original packaging. Toys will be stored by Toys for Tots until the holiday season when parents will be able to "shop" for children's toys at their distribution centers. For more information about Toys for Tots, please visit its web site at toysfortots.org.
Displays of military equipment will also be exhibited at the park during the weekend.
Cedar Point will provide updates on Christmas in July activities on its web site, www.cedarpoint.com. More information is also available by calling the park's general information line at 419.627.2350.
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