Six Flags Great America opens for the season this weekend as 50th anniversary nears

Six Flags Great America will mark a significant milestone as it kicks off the season this weekend.

Illinois’ largest amusement park opens to the public on Saturday, offering signature entertainment from rollercoasters to live performances and unique dining experiences, as excitement builds ahead of its 50th anniversary. The milestone will be commemorated with a 50th Anniversary Celebration that runs from June 20 through Aug. 9.

The celebration will feature experiences honoring the park’s history, including a brand-new nighttime spectacular consisting of a drone show and a parade featuring themed floats “creating a vibrant show of color, energy and excitement,” according to the park’s website. Parkgoers will be able to step back into the past and explore a Legacy Museum housing a collection of historic items, artifacts and memorabilia.

When it comes to filling up your stomach, there will be plenty of options.

Specialty food and beverage offerings will be on the menu, including “reimagined classics” and “creative new treats,” the 50th Anniversary Celebration webpage stated.

Limited-edition anniversary merchandise — including collectibles, souvenirs and exclusive apparel — will be available for purchase.

Fans will have the chance to become part of the park’s history by purchasing an Anniversary Brick engraved with a special message, name or tribute. The bricks will be used to “create a meaningful walkway that honors the guests, families, and memories” that have shaped the park.

On opening day, Six Flags Great America will operate from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. During the 50th Anniversary Celebration, the park will extend its hours until 10 p.m. nightly.