GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company, and Riverside Tourism Investment Group Co. Ltd., an award-winning tourism and real estate developer and Six Flags partner, today announced that the children’s areas of China’s first-ever Six Flags branded parks will be themed after Garfield and the Garfield characters from the world-famous comic strip. Six Flags Zhejiang is scheduled to open in 2019, anchoring a 30 billion yuan (USD $4.6 billion) resort development located on the coast of Hangzhou Bay. Six Flags Chongqing is scheduled to open in 2020.
“We are excited to partner with the great team at Paws Incorporated to create unique, themed sections based on the beloved Garfield character for children and their families,” said John Odum, President, Six Flags International Development Company. “From themed rides and attractions to live shows, character meet and greets and merchandise, guests will be fully immersed inside the clever world of Garfield and friends.”
“This alliance is another major step toward building a world class park for millions of visitors,” said Che Li, Chairman of the Riverside Investment Group. “Garfield is already a beloved character in China and we look forward to bringing him to life inside Six Flags Zhejiang and Six Flags Chongqing.”
“This is a great opportunity for Garfield to entertain families and children,” said Garfield’s creator Jim Davis. “Six Flags and Riverside have an extraordinary project planned and to have our characters featured is an incredible honor.”
“Garfield” and “the Garfield characters” are intellectual properties owned by Paws, Inc., an Indiana-based corporation of which Davis is President. Paws was represented by International Theme Park Services, Inc., a leader in the theme park and amusement industry.
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About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.3 billion in revenue and 20 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 56 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com.
About Six Flags in Zhejiang Province and Chongqing
The thrilling experience of Six Flags Entertainment, the world's largest regional theme park company, is coming to China. The theme parks will offer signature Six Flags thrills for guests of all ages including innovative, record-breaking roller coasters, family rides, and water attractions along with world-class shows and special events for the entire family to enjoy. The parks are being built in partnership with Riverside Investment Group Co. Ltd., an experienced, award-winning leisure and tourism developer. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/china
About GARFIELD
Garfield was born on the comics pages on June 19, 1978. The creation of cartoonist Jim Davis, GARFIELD is a humorous strip centered on the lives of a quick-witted orange cat who loves lasagna, coffee, and his remote control; Jon Arbuckle, his owner; and Odie, a sweet but dumb dog. The success of the comic strip spawned an empire including movies, TV shows, stage shows, merchandise, books, and more.
Follow Garfield, along with nearly 17 million other fans, on Facebook (facebook.com/Garfield) and Twitter (twitter.com/Garfield), and visit garfield.com, and Garfield’s free educational site, professorgarfield.org.
About Paws, Inc.
Cartoonist Jim Davis’ company, Paws, Inc., located near Albany, Indiana, was founded in 1981 to handle the creative end of the Garfield licensing business. Today, Paws is the sole owner of all copyrights and trademarks for the Garfield property, and controls not only the creative angle of the fat cat’s flourishing empire, but also the licensing, marketing, and brand management of Garfield and the Garfield characters.
