Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Flips Switch To Solar Power

VALLEJO, CA — The first theme park on the West Coast to be primarily powered by solar energy is right here in the North Bay. It became official Friday night with the flip of a giant switch at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo as millions of twinkling LED lights illuminated the park for its 12th annual Holiday in the Park.

Dignitaries U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson and Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan were among those on hand for the park's flip to renewable energy. Moving forward, 80-percent of the park's energy usage will be powered by one of the largest solar carport installations in the country, park officials said in a news release.

"We are thrilled to be introducing the nation's first solar-powered Holiday in the Park events," said Tom Iven, senior vice president of U.S. Park Operations for Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. "The marvelous wonder of this special time of year truly comes alive in our parks with a smorgasbord of seasonal delights to see and experience."

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo, which is already billed as the Thrill Capital of Northern California, made the monumental switch by partnering with sPower and Borrego Solar Systems.

More than 360 people were employed as part of the installation of the 7.5-megawatt solar carport built over the main guest parking lot, park officials said.

The renewable-energy project will produce 11.9-million kilowatt hours of energy annually and will offset 8,400 tons of carbon-dioxide equivalents each year, which park officials say is the same as taking 1,800 cars off the road, according to Six Flags Entertainment.

Holiday In The Park

For this year's time-honored Holiday in the Park, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo includes guest favorite Six Flags Dazzle; new themed area Poinsettia Plaza where guests can meet the Poinsettia Princess and be enchanted by the 30-foot poinsettia tree; holiday-inspired photo opportunities featuring giant ornaments, massive stacks of presents and larger-than-life toys; sea lions in "A Very Merry Christmas" and dolphins in "Dolphin Holiday"; and expanded hours of operation.

Further, for every Holiday Friend plush toy purchased, Six Flags will donate a plush to local children’s hospitals and non-profit organizations while supplies last.

Dec. 7, Six Flags parks in Vallejo and across the country will celebrate the Polar Coaster Challenge. The quirky, frigid event challenges guests to ride Six Flags roller coasters wearing tank tops and shorts in colder cities such as New Jersey and Chicago, or bundled up for winter in the warmer markets of Vallejo in Northern California and Valencia in Southern California.

Holiday in the Park runs weekends through Jan. 5.