Camp Snoopy Photo: Provided by Kings Island

Kings Island is giving the details on everything new coming to the park this summer, including the opening date of its newest themed area, Camp Snoopy.

Camp Snoopy will expand Kings Island’s award-winning kids’ play area with an immersive adventure play space, as well as Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers, Kings Island’s first family boomerang coaster. The space will make its official debut on Friday, May 24 — just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

The brand-new coaster, Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers, features soap box cars decorated with beloved Peanuts characters. It’ll race riders both forward and backward on the same track, starting by taking riders up a 70-foot-tall hill to the starting line. As Snoopy waves the checkered flag, riders will be launched forward on the track, full of twists and turns as they race to the finish line. But just when they think they’re at the end, the cars will throw them in reverse.

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Along with the coaster, kids can also become members of the Beagle Scouts at Camp Snoopy. The official headquarters, Beagle Scout Acres, will offer outdoor summer camp fun and activities in a shaded, nature-themed play area. Kids and their families can explore and play on the turfed mounds and grassy areas, complete with camping equipment they can climb over and through. The Peanuts gang will also be there to lead kids through “Camptivities” and young Beagle Scouts can try to earn merit badges by doing things like sharing, working together, trying new things and helping somebody in need.

Kings Island also released its Summerbration lineup, which includes new shows and the inaugural Food and Wine Festival. From June 7-30, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, park guests can sample a variety of regional and international red and white wine selections, which will be complemented with charcuterie, different cheeses, sweet treats and more. There will also be live entertainment and activities for the whole family.

The new shows part of the Summerbration lineup include “Under The Stars,” a nighttime finale show featuring fireworks and drones. It debuts on May 24 and runs through Sept. 1. There will also be the “Gazillion Bubble Show,” (June 15-July 7), which combines bubble artistry, soapy science and interactive musical fun, as well as “Trailblazers X-treme!” (June 22 – August 4), featuring acrobats, aerialists and extreme athletes coming together for the ultimate camp adventure and performing high-flying feats of courage.

Events returning this year are the Independence Day fireworks show on July 4 and Grand Carnivale, which will run July 20 through Aug. 4. Military Days, which offers free admission tickets for active and retired military and discounted tickets for friends and family, will be May 24-27. Kings Island’s water park, Soak City, will also open that Saturday.

Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. More info: visitkingsisland.com.

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This article appears in May 1-14, 2024.

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she...