22 Jul

Boardwalk Nights 2024 Creators Day

Posted in Blog.

There is nothing quite like summers along the shores of Lake Erie. Since 1870, Cedar Point has played arguably the largest role in that summertime tradition, and this year with the addition of Boardwalk Nights, Cedar point has brought a whole new life to that tradition.

This past Saturday, Cedar Point allowed us to join for the Boardwalk Nights Creator’s Day Event. This afforded us the opportunity to take in what I believe is the best event Cedar Point has ever done. The event, running nightly now through August 18th (except Tuesday nights) from 7pm-10pm is absolutely a can’t miss experience

The night begins at 7pm with the Grand Opening Boardwalk Cavalcade, a mini parade if you will featuring a catchy song, (that is still stuck in my head two days later as I write this), singers, dancers, acrobats, and more, all adorning three beautiful floats reused from the fabulous Celebrate 150 parade. While they are reused, the floats have been spruced up specially for this wonderful event. The best place to watch the Cavalcade is near the entrance to maXair, Troika’s exit, or near Gatekeeper’s exit. These are the best places because this is not a parade in the traditional sense. The floats have a spot that they drive to and for the rest of the night are parked there and used as stages for different shows each occurring at different times, multiple times a night.

Along with the acts that take place on the floats, there is also a high dive show next to The Grand Pavilion, a semi-Harlem Globetrotters style show at the 3 point shootout, a Wheel of Destiny performance at the Windseeker end of The Boardwalk, a quartet of singers on a stage above a new bar placed near Joe Cool’s Dodgem School on The Boardwalk, and a stage in front of the Giant Wheel which also hosts numerous acts and activities throughout the night. Seems like a lot right? Well that’s not even close to everything.

Out on the Cedar Point Beach Boardwalk (make sure as you exit the Windseeker gate you get a reentry ticket if you’re not a season pass holder) there is yet another stage, a DJ, glow in the dark volleyball, and an incredible synchronized kite show that believe me, you have to see to believe the crazy amount of talent involved. It absolutely caught me by surprise.

Of course, it would not be a Cedar Point event without the fabulous Cedar Point Food and Beverage Team putting on a show of their own. At the aforementioned bar next to Joe Cool’s Dodgem School you can find four specialty cocktails served to you in shakers that you can take home as souvenirs. These flavors are Triple Berry Lemonade, Watermelon Jalapeno Limeade, Pina Colada Limeade, and Strawberry Basil Lemonade. Each of these drinks is served with your choice of liquor mixed in for an additional price, or served virgin. We got to try the virgin Triple Berry Lemonade and the virgin Watermelon Jalapeno Limeade and both were fantastic. This same stand also has a premixed alcoholic beverage called “Boardwalk Heatwave” which is a tasty blend of cranberry syrup, lemonade, chipotle pineapple, and Malibu Rum. If you’re hungry, this stand also serves a fun Fruit Fusion Popcorn.

Moving over to The Grand Pavilion there is of course even more specialty cocktails available and the crown jewel of the event, the Tater-licious Footlong Hotdog. This absolutely insane footlong hot dog is served on a bed of tater tots, with mac n cheese, pulled pork, bbq sauce, and scallions all on top. Wow. Not only does it taste great but just one of these mammoth dogs can easily feed two or even three people. You can find this on the second floor of The Grand Pavilion!

I could go through each individual performance that takes place during the event, but there’s simply too much different stuff to talk about here, and frankly I think that is what makes Boardwalk Nights so special. Everywhere you look there is something different to see or do. You could walk the length of The Boardwalk and see all kinds of different stuff and then turn around and walk back, and see completely different performances the second time through! Once the sun goes down and the lights come on the vibe on The Boardwalk is absolutely immaculate.It reminded me of a classy version of the famous New Jersey or New York boardwalks and even made me feel like I was walking through Cedar Point of old. I can imagine that much of the entertainment that took place in the 1910s and 1920s along the Cedar Point beach was similar to what you see at Boardwalk Nights.

Finally there is even exclusive event merchandise and you can participate in different events and receive buttons for your participation!

This really is the perfect event for the whole family. During the three hours of the event, we didn’t ride a single ride and felt like our time was still well spent. That being said, a ride on Wild Mouse or Atomic Scrambler with all the energy in the area would be very satisfying.

Finally to end the night in spectacular fashion The Fantabulous Finale takes place at 9:45 where you can once again hear the same catchy song from the Cavalcade and all the amazing performers with close proximity fireworks being ignited from the rooftops of the Dodgems, Joe Cool’s Dodgem School, and The Grand Pavilion. An amazing end to an amazing event, and an amazing day at Cedar Point.

I want to thank Tony and the entire Cedar Point marketing team once again for having us out to experience this breathtaking event and congratulate everyone involved with Boardwalk Nights on such a job well done! Now get out to Boardwalk Nights before it's too late!

Thanks for reading!

-Evan