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I am a Knott’s Berry Farm Berry Blogger and Brand Ambassador. While I have been compensated with tickets and food, all of the views expressed herein about Knott’s Peanuts Celebration are strictly my own.
When Knott’s invited me to become a Knott’s Berry Farm Brand Ambassador, I was beyond excited. It went from excitement to elation to euphoria, and then to panic. Because, while writing about Knott’s Berry Farm for the past year, I didn’t have the same responsibility for the content. Knott’s Berry Farm might have appreciated of the product I scribed, but I said things my way. Now, I would have people looking over my shoulder at the content. Eventually, the panic would wear off, as I remembered they chose me for the type of content I put out there and the audience I reached. They wanted me to be myself. Duh! And when I picked myself up off the floor to find out what they expected me to write about, I quickly became excited again as I read the first event they wanted me to cover. The Knott’s Peanuts Celebration.
To understand my excitement, you have to go back a few years. And then maybe a few years more. From a parenting perspective, Knott’s Berry Farm represents the beginnings of the connection I have with my daughter. Post-divorce, things were difficult. I had allowed the relationship with my daughter to grow stale as I faced many issues with my former spouse. I knew I needed to reconnect. And making her do homework or sitting around watching TV did not encourage connection. So I wanted a place to take my child where we could enjoy things together, outside the house, at an affordable price. Knott’s became that place. From the music to the food to the history to all of the amazing seasons they have at Knott’s, we found a place to connect and bond, which I for which I can never repay.
But to understand my excitement about Knott’s Peanuts Celebration, you have to go back a little farther. Like any red-blooded person from the States, I grew up with the Peanut’s gang in the Sunday funnies. And I loved the holiday specials which would come on the TV every year. But my connection to my daughter and the Peanut’s is equally profound. For every year at Christmas, my daughter and I would go to the “Snoopy House” in Costa Mesa. With a cup of hot cider in hand, we would go see the amazing Peanut’s Display which included a visit from Santa Claus every year. And at the same time, Linus would always remind us what the true meaning of Christmas was. Through this event and Knott’s Berry Farm I passed on the love of the Peanuts from father to daughter.
Given our history, you can imagine the excitement my daughter and I had prior to attending this event. Of course, just because we love the idea of something doesn’t mean we will love the thing. But, given the title of this article, chances are you have an inkling of what we thought of the day. But just saying we liked it just doesn’t do it justice. So here are seven amazing things to do with you and your family once you enter Knott’s Peanuts Celebration at Knott’s Berry Farm.
Seven Magical Moments To Have At Knott’s Peanuts Celebration
1) Picture Possibilities –
Once you enter the park, you will be inundated with a load of pictures spots for you and your family. While Snoopy may be there to greet your entry, your eyes will widen with all of the great picture locations at your disposal. Between flying blankets, Red Baron Moments, and “I’ve Got a Rock!” exclamations you and your family will never get enough of the silly poses you can create on your magical journey.
2) Character Connections –
While you can visit the Peanuts’ gang all year long at the park, you will never get an opportunity like this one to spend time with all of the amazing characters. First, Pig Pen has a much larger pen to take care of the little piglets of which he has been placed in charge. He’s only available during the celebration so you don’t want to miss it. Second, you will never get the opportunity for so many different character shots as you will during this time. The characters are found all over the park. And lastly, there are so many different stage shows with them involved, both amazing and surprising where you can spend time with the Charlie, Snoopy and the gang you will not know where to go first.
3) Krazy Kites –
You couldn’t call it Knott’s Peanuts Celebration unless a few kites went missing. You know Charlie and his kite flying prowess. All different colored kites are stuck up in the trees strewn throughout Ghost Town and the rest of the park. See if you and your kids can count them all. I think I lost count around thirty. I guess I will have to start all over again now. One. Two. Three.
4) Food Fun –
Being the foodie I am, I can never get enough of trying all the various dishes they have throughout the park. Between the “Charlie Brownies” and the peanut butter and jelly cupcakes, there are a ton of tempting treats to be had. But if you ask me, I have to say that the funnel cake with the Peanut Butter on top beats them all by miles.
My Daughter’s Sally
5) Dynamic Drawing –
My daughter and I were looking forward to this the most before getting into the park. We heard they were going to be having a drawing area where they taught you to draw the Peanuts Characters. We had the opportunity to draw Sally. But don’t lose heart. They are also teaching, Snoopy, Charlie, Linus, and Lucy. Just don’t tell Lucy I mentioned her last or I might get in trouble.
6) Turbo Train Rides –
Ok, maybe it’s not the fastest train in the world, but it’s definitely one of the most enjoyable. Join the Peanuts crew as they have a fishing competition, among many others. Somehow Snoopy always seems to win these things. But I swear I am going to beat him next year. Just you wait.
7) Jelly Rocking –
I’m betting you noticed the lack of alliteration here. Because you are that kind of smart. But I couldn’t give higher praise to the musical selections they have throughout the park during Knott’s Peanuts Celebration. First of all, you can visit Camp Snoopy and Catch Charlie and Lucy’s Balancing Act. Find out if Charlie can be cheered on to finally kick a football. Next, move over to Schroeder and his musical mischief as he teaches Sally about the history and wonder of music.
From there make sure to head on over to Fiesta Village and catch Lucy and Sally’s Fiesta Fantasy. They dance Folklorico. With traditional Latin dances, they bring to Fiesta Village a rich history and culture the whole family can appreciate. And finally, if you can take it, make sure to stay into the evening to see Woodstock’s Music Festival. You will get treated to the stylings of the Jelly of the Month Club. And of course, you will catch the lovable Peanuts crew trying to be the best roadies they can be. They rocked the joint well into the night. And with their list of songs, it’s something both parents and kids can enjoy together.
Did we love Knott’s Peanuts Celebration? Heck yes, we did! There was so much to see and do, we didn’t even get a chance to get on some of the rides. All I can say is if you love Knott’s and you love the Peanuts, you will not get enough of all of the amazing things transpiring weekends, until February 25th. There is no better time to get yourself an annual pass.
My daughter and I will have to go back a least a few times to catch some more of the magic. After all, I need to make sure I get to draw Charlie, Snoopy, and Linus. If you go Sunday the 4th and you bring a Charlie Brown costume, you may have a chance to get in the record books. What could be better than that? Oh, and I want to catch the Jelly of the Month Club again as well. (And Shhh!!! Don’t tell Lucy I didn’t include her on my list of characters to draw. I will never hear the end of it.)
Continue The Conversation
Obviously, there is so much to unpack here from our experience at Knott’s Peanuts Celebration. If I spent time talking about the whole weekend, including the hotel stay, I would be writing a novella. And I don’t want to scare everyone off yet. I would be curious to know what your experience with Knott’s celebrations in the past has been. What thing did you love the most? And if you haven’t been to Knott’s before, what do you love most about the Peanuts? You definitely have to share with me your favorite Peanuts character. I have to admit, mine is Charlie Brown. I have an affinity for the underdog.
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Until next time, I’ve got a rock!!!
David Elliott, Single Dad’s Guide to Life