Stone Mountain Park Marks 50^th Anniversary

To celebrate its golden anniversary, Stone Mountain Park (SMP) has a year filled with festivals and events highlighted by the debut of Summer at the Rock this summer.  Features include a new, digitally remastered Lasershow Spectacular, the world’s longest running lasershow, and a new million dollar attraction called Sky Hike.  When it opens this summer, Sky Hike will be the nation’s largest family adventure course in the treetops.  

In addition, Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) and the Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) are partnering on park enhancements for the coming year. 

“We are investing $10 million in the park in 2008, and we remain committed to maintaining Stone Mountain Park’s natural beauty and offering new attractions that can be enjoyed by future generations,” said Gerald Rakestraw, SMP general manager.  “Herschend is proud of the private/public partnership we have built with the SMMA, providing new family entertainment opportunities like going on a quarter of a mile ‘sky hike’ or singing along with their favorite tunes in the new Lasershow.”   

For the past decade, Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) has been SMP’s operating partner.  In addition to managing the park’s daily commercial operations, HFE has overseen the renovation and expansion of the park’s entertainment, recreation and hospitality offerings. The SMMA is a Georgia self-supporting state authority and receives no tax dollars.  Its mission is to preserve, protect and enhance SMP’s 3,200 acre natural resource for the people of Georgia and visitors from around the world.   

“When Stone Mountain became a park in 1958, it was a place where families gathered to marvel at the massive granite stone and enjoy the great outdoors. Today the park still provides a place where families can reconnect with nature through hiking, picnicking, camping, and fishing, plus it has truly evolved into a Georgia destination that provides fun entertainment and education,” said Curtis Branscome, chief executive officer of the SMMA.   

SMP’s full calendar will include the return of popular events like Spring FUN Break, the Yellow Daisy Festival, Pumpkin Festival and Stone Mountain Christmas.  

The crowning jewel of the golden jubilee is the new Summer at the Rock event planned from May 3 to Sept. 1 and kicks off with the debut of the 25th Anniversary Lasershow Spectacular. Seen by more than 20 million people since 1983, this famous Atlanta tradition celebrates its silver anniversary with new musical scores featuring themes from Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones and High School Musical.  

Heroes and sports medleys plus a patriotic grand finale with choreographed state-of-the-art graphics are also new additions. Crowd favorites such as “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” “Trilogy” and “Celestial Soda Pop” are back.  

“With added displays of laser lights, graphics, characters and fireworks this new show is bigger and better than ever,” Rakestraw said. “Families can relax on the lawn as Stone Mountain is transformed into a natural amphitheater.” 

Adding to the excitement of Summer at the Rock, children of all ages will climb to new heights on the Sky Hike. This quarter of a mile family adventure course in the treetops is sure to trigger the sensation of trekking through the sky. There are three trails to choose from: a 12 ft. trail for beginners, a middle 24 ft. high trail for the courageous and the super challenge trail at nearly 40 ft. high or more than four stories tall, for the true daredevil.  

Parents and kids can face the challenge together as they choose their level of adventure while secured to a patented overhead safety system. A variety of elements makes each hike a new experience - suspended wooden bridges, spaced out slats on swinging ropes, single strand ropes and vertical net bridges.   

On June 7, the Summer at the Rock event continues with the opening of the Backyard Circus®, an interactive experience where kids are the stars; a new musical review called Rock Solid Country; a new live, family show named Col. Adair’s Southern Fried Shakespeare; appearances by Bob and Larry of Veggie Tales® fame; a new train show and new street artist performances at Crossroads®, an 1870’s village at the base of Stone Mountain.   

Plus, SMP offers families a full day of outdoor attractions and recreation including the scenic train ride, Great Locomotive Chase Adventure Golf, the Summit Skyride, the Riverboat, the Great Barn, the 4D Theater, Camp Highland Outpost, the Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard, museums and pedal boats.  Summer at the Rock activities and these family attractions are included in Stone Mountain Park’s Adventure Pass: $25 for adults and $20 children ages 3-11 (tax not included). Vehicle entry to the park is $8 cash for a one-day permit or $35 for annual permit.  

Listed in Frommer’s 500 Places to Visit with Your Kids Before They Grow Up and cited by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of “35 Natural Wonders in Georgia You Must See Before You Die,” Stone Mountain Park is located just 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta.  To get to the park, take I-285 to exit 39B, Highway 78 East.  Stone Mountain Park is exit #8 on Highway 78. More information on Summer at the Rock plus Stone Mountain Park attractions and hours of operation are available at 770-498-5690 or by visiting www.stonemountainpark.com.