Explore what Ocean Park is all about.
(10 January 2007, Hong Kong) Since its debut in 1977, Ocean Park has journeyed down a long, glorious road of growth, fun, education and prosperity through various eras in Hong Kong. Now, as it ventures into its 30th year, the time has come for a park-wide historical celebration that will stimulate all the bodily senses and produce the stunning feat of warping visitors through 30 Hong Kong years in one day.
“Hong Kong has seen a lot of changes in the last 30 years, “ said Tom Mehrmann, Chief Executive of Ocean Park. “However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the affection for Ocean Park as Hong Kong people’s park. After establishing itself and growing 30 years older and wiser with the Hong Kong people, Ocean Park is taking this opportunity to celebrate with the same folks who carried us this far, along with the generations who will grow with us for the next 30 years.”
Visitors may experience a visual pathway through time by riding the Ocean Park escalator, lined with historical exhibits of Ocean Park’s past three decades along with exciting visions of future development. To help celebrate this great event, 250 Hong Kong schoolchildren have planted beautiful aromatic flowers by their own diligent efforts, contributing magnificent flower displays throughout the park.
Delicious food plays an integral part for this celebration. When visitors feel hungry from the long day of time travel, an international smorgasbord of delectable delights will be served all over the park, including German sausage, American baby-back ribs, Swiss fondue, Italian pizza, Middle Eastern kebab, and of course, Hong Kong’s very own dim sum. They can sample Hong Kong’s all-time favorite street snacks at the Middle Kingdom Restaurant’s Culinary Classics, from egg puffs to typhoon shelter signature dishes like fried crabs. Or stop by the Open-Air Market Fair, a light-hearted recreation of the exotic hustle and bustle of Hong Kong’s street markets, complete with boisterous singing.
For an experience that’s both tasty and educational, visitors may sit in on one of the many dazzling cooking demonstrations in delicious, multi-ethnic cuisines. These will be held every weekend at Bayview Restaurant by famous chefs who are finally willing to share secrets gathered from their decades of experience all over the world. Families with their own talented culinary artists may compete in the Ocean Park Family Food Fun Cooking Competition presented by Rasonic, or even learn some new skills in the family cooking class at the Whiskers Theatre. Louisa So, the chef beauty will be present at Ocean Park as judge for the final cooking competition on February 11 and will also give away her own cooking tips.
There will also be musical and dance performances throughout the park to highlight the soundtrack of Hong Kong for the past 30 years. A weekly lineup of local singers and artists will bring back favorite hits from the groovy ‘70s, glamorous ‘80s, modern ‘90s and raging millennium in a “Top of the Pops” Variety Show, with the support of Metro Showbiz. Live bands will tour the park, providing the hip vibes of jazz music. Visitors can jump in whenever they see dancers shaking and jiving, since the whole park is now a dance floor.
For a more cultured twist, an exclusive series of performances will highlight two timeless arts of China at their best- traditional Chinese opera and face-changing art.
“The story of Ocean Park demonstrates a glorious Hong Kong story of resilience,” said Matthias Li, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Ocean Park. “This celebration will highlight the best of Ocean Park from the last 30 years, and our developing history is closely tied in to the amazing growth of Hong Kong. We’re inviting everyone in Hong Kong to celebrate the biggest birthday party ever at Ocean Park. We’ll relive all our favourite memories, and build a lifetime of new ones with the same families that brought us this far.”
Children will never forget the day of fun from this history-making event at Ocean Park, as they can learn to play games from the past with their parents. Or they can enroll in the Music Academy, where they can learn about folk music, create their own instruments and explore their hidden musical talents.
Starting from 20 January, food passports can be obtained at ticketing counters or kiosks, and every $30 spent at a designated food kiosk earns a stamp. Three stamps may then be used to redeem a gift of two ice cream bars or two 16oz drinks and an Ocean Park souvenir.
The Ocean Park 30th Anniversary party - A Celebration for the Senses will take place on every weekend from 20 January to 4 March and 19-23 February, 2007. Tickets are $185 for adults and $93 for children. For enquiries call 2552-0291 or visit www.oceanpark.com.hk. With all these new activities to please the senses of Ocean Park’s enthusiastic visitors, it would only make sense to join in on the celebration!
About Ocean Park
Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s unique home-grown theme park with a heritage of delivering family fun and fond memories. Since its opening in January 1977 as a non-profit organization, Ocean Park has developed itself to be a world-class attraction connecting people with nature, and recognized for its animal husbandry, research and relationship with the community. Over 80 million people have visited Hong Kong's premier park since its inception and Ocean Park has remained committed to offer adults and children experiences that blend entertainment with education and conservation.
