IAAPA 2006: Big-E Awards announced for entertainment

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

[Ed. note: Press release follows. -J]

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) presented its fifth annual “BIG-E” Entertainment Awards today during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2006, annual conference and trade show at the Georgia World Congress Center.

The “BIG-E” awards honor amusement facility entertainment, performers, and behind-the-scenes personnel who “make it happen” at attractions. Awards categories include Best Costumed Character, Best Show Performers, Best Live “Edutainment” Show, and Best Overall Production.

This year’s BIG-E award winners are:

Best Atmosphere/Street Performer
Honorary Mention – Sean Cahill as Scrooge – Paramount’s Kings Island – Cincinnati, Ohio
Winner – Michael Bennett – Warner Bros. Movie World - Gold Coast, Australia

Best Female Performer
Honorary Mention – Marlana Dunn – Cedar Point – Sandusky, Ohio
Winner – Amanda Schroeder – Paramount’s Kings Island, Cincinnati, Ohio

Best Male Show Performer
Honorary Mention – Steven Dorian – Busch Gardens Africa - Tampa Bay, Fla.
Winner – Kevin Johnson – LEGOLAND California – Carlsbad, Calif.

Best Live “Edutainment” Show
Honorary Mention – Danger Rangers: Safety Rules – Dutch Wonderland – Lancaster, Penn.
Winner – Capilano’s “Step Back in Time” Tour – Capilano Suspension Bridge – North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Best Sports Show
Honorary Mention – Island Quest – Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country USA - Williamsburg, Va.
Winner – XCELLERATION – Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio, Tex.

Best Overall Production: Budget of $25,000 or less
Honorary Mention – Last Chance Legends – Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio, Tex.
Winner – Puppets and Players Theater Thumbelina – San Diego Zoo – San Diego, Calif.

Best Overall Production: $25,001 to $50,000
Honorary Mention - Children’s Musical “Pinocchio” – Europa-Park Foeizeit and Familien Park – Rust, Germany
Winner - Mayor Slayer’s Monster Mash Bash – Six Flags Fiesta Texas – San Antonio, Tex.

Best Overall Production: $50,001 to $100,000
Honorary Mention – The Living Gardens’ Force of Nature – San Diego Zoo – San Diego, Calif.
Winner – Trash Time: The Beat Bros. – Hershey Park – Hershey, Penn.

Best Overall Production: $100,001- $200,000
Honorary Mention – Dragon Pond Chinese Acrobats – Busch Gardens Africa - Tampa Bay, Fla.
Winner – Bettlejuice’s Graveyard Review – Universal Orlando Resort – Orlando, Fla.

Best Overall Production: $200,001 - $500,000
Honorary Mention – Jewels of the Rainforest the Messenger – San Diego Zoo – San Diego, Calif.
Winner – Santa’s Toy Factory – Paramount’s Kings Island – Cincinnati, Ohio

Best Overall Production: $500,001 - $1,000,000
Honorary Mention – Dreamland Drive-in – Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Winner – ARACHNOME – Phantasialand – Bruehl, Germany

Best Overall Production: $1,000,000 or More
Honorary Mention – Efteling Sprookjesshow – Efteling theater ISM Studio 100 – Kaatsheuevel, The Netherlands
Winner – Believe – Sea World California, Florida and Texas – San Diego, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; San Antonio, Tex.

Heartbeat Award – Sponsored by Heartbeat Productions
Winner – Dreamland Drive-in – Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

If those PKI winners were in the School of Rock show at PKI, I'm annoyed that I missed it last year. Does anyone know which show the female honorary was in at Cedar Point?

.. she was at the show in the Palace ..

I was somewhat disappointed in Believe at SWF. I was much more impressed with the nighttime Sea Lion show. In it, they mimic the other shows and attractions in the park. It was a laugh riot from start to finish. I'm told it gets the best reviews of any of the park's shows. They spent almost nothing on it compared to big, big money for Believe.

<--- never fails to be impressed by the WIDE fluctuations in reviews for "Believe"...

...maybe it's cause I'm a native skeptic? ;)

Maureen from PKI tells me that the best female was in the Santa's Toy Factory show.

So I guess Cedar Fair thinks that because Winterfest didn't make money, but received critical acclaim, it wasn't worth continuing? Sounds like they needed another year to develop it.

Bettlejuice at USF a winner???? You've got to be kidding me. I loved the movie but the show was rather lame.

I'm absolutely thrilled that " Monster Mash Bash" won the Big-E award for $25,001-$50,000. I'm more thrilled because i was part of the show. As a performer it's very nice to be recognized for all of your hard work. Everyone involved in the show did an amazing job, and i can't wait to do it again next year!

jjayjay1975

You do realize that the award was for last years show?

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