Freestyle Park officials set opening day

Freestyle Music Park today announced that Saturday, May 23 will be the official opening day of the Park’s 2009 season. 

According to a press release, beginning opening weekend and continuing through May 31, all active United States military, Coast Guard, firefighters, police and emergency medical technicians will be admitted to the park free of charge with valid military or service identification. 

This season will also see a reduction of ticket prices. All-day single tickets for adults will retail for $39.95. All-day single tickets for children, three through nine years of age, will retail for $29.95. Children two years of age and younger will be admitted free. 

Beginning May 23 and continuing through Sunday, June 14, residents of North and South Carolina will also be eligible for an additional $10 discount off a one-day general admission ticket, resulting in a ticket price of $29.95 for adults and $19.95 for children. To take advantage of this discount, residents must provide proof of residence with a valid state identification card. 

Numerous promotions and giveaways will also be occurring throughout the Park over Memorial Day Weekend. Many Myrtle Beach area businesses have contributed prizes for giveaways, which will occur every hour on the hour throughout the Park all weekend. Park guests will also be able to compete for cash prizes throughout the weekend. 

In addition to the giveaways and promotions during opening weekend, area radio stations will be on hand competing against each other in a collection drive to benefit the United States military. Park guests can drop off donations, which can include toiletries, nonperishable food items, crossword and puzzle books and prepaid phone cards, with their favorite radio station at the Park.

The first new show for the 2009 season was also announced Friday.  “Flip 5 Live.” is a singing, dancing and tumbling entertainment experience for the entire family.

An interactive show, Flip 5 Live encourages park guests to participate with the Flip 5 cast by dancing and singing along to mix of original and cover versions of pop-rock songs performed by the Flip 5 cast. A 25-minute show, Flip 5 Live takes place four times daily during peak season and is included in the price of admission to Freestyle Music Park. 

With the overall mission of bringing world peace, love and understanding through the unity of music and dance, the Flip 5 Live cast features 11 performers who range in age from 16 to 19 years-of-age, background and ethnicity.  Flip 5 cast members include Kira, Kimmy, Dot, Trip, Chase, Bounce, Jive, Jam, Spin, Cali, and Zach. 

Set in the Park’s Stars Theatre, the Flip 5 Live stage is equipped with lights, brightly colored and oversized speakers, mini trampolines, a tumbling fast track and multiple staging levels, that serve as performance areas for the Flip 5. 

When entering the theater, Flip 5 Live guests will be greeted by Park staff who will encourage parents to drop their kids off at the floor-level seating area near the stage and then take a seat in the theater.

Operating hours for opening weekend will be 11 a.m. through 10 p.m.  After opening weekend, Freestyle Music Park will operate a special schedule the weekdays of Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, June 5. On these select weekdays, the Park will be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and offer a special $24.95 ticket price for adult guests and $19.95 for children. The Park will be open normal operating hours for Saturdays and Sundays during this time period. In addition, residents of North and South Carolina will also be eligible for an additional $10 discount off an admission ticket.

“We are greatly anticipating opening over Memorial Day Weekend and are proud to salute those who have served us with considerable sacrifice by offering them free admission to the Park,” said John Stine, director of marketing and sales for Freestyle Music Park. “In just two weeks, Freestyle Music Park will open for the 2009 season and will greet guests looking for a day of ‘full volume family fun.’ Freestyle Music Park has the best rides, shows and attractions in the Southeast, and we feel that each Park guest will leave our gates happy and ready to return.”