New Owners Just Took Over This Popular Minnesota Attraction

It's been a fixture here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nearly fifty years but as of July 1st, this Minnesota attraction has brand new owners.

There are many places of interest for which we're known here in the North Star State, right? The following are all venues and attractions that instantly scream Minnesota whenever you hear them:

US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors
Target Field in Minneapolis
The Aerial Liftbridges in Duluth and Stillwater
Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Mall of America in Bloomington
The Cathedral of St. Paul

And now this popular attraction, which has been attracting crowds each summer season in Minnesota since it first opened in 48 years ago is sporting new owners as of July 1st, 2024. And that attraction would be:

Valley Fair!

The entrance to Valley Fair in Shakopee, MN.

Minnesota's lone amusement park has been standing tall along Highway 169 in Shakopee since opening back in 1976. It currently has more than 75 rides, including eight roller coasters and a full water park called Soak City.

A few years ago there was an attempt by Sea World to buy out Valley Fair, but its owners, Cedar Fair, nixed that deal. However, a merger between Cedar Fair and fellow amusement park operator Six Flags was announced last November, and that deal is now officially closed.

A view of Soak City at Valley Fair (Jordan Sternberg/Valley Fair)

Cedar Fair, which owns Valleyfair along with 15 other theme parks and water parks, announced yesterday it is now officially a part of the new Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, and is now among 'the largest and most diverse amusement park operator in North America,' with a total new combined portfolio of 42 parks across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

"We believe that by combining the best ideas and most successful entertainment practices of both Six Flags and Cedar Fair, the new Six Flags can deliver a superior level of joy and excitement that has yet to be experienced by regional park guests," Selim Bassoul, executive chairman of the board of directors of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation said in the release.

While there were rumors right after the merger was announced that the Six Flags branding might be added to the Valley Fair name here in Minnesota, the release also noted that won't be happening.

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"Each park in the combined company’s portfolio will retain their legacy branding with no changes to park names currently being planned or contemplated," the release said. This means Minnesota's familiar Valley Fair logo will continue to be a part of the Bold North for many more years to come.

Valley Fair did announce earlier this year that a somewhat controversial entrance policy would continue again in 2024, and has recently been impacted by rising flood waters along the Minnesota River that has forced it to close several rides and part of its parking area. Check out the photo below, and keep scrolling to take a look at all the rides at Valley Fair that could make you lose your lunch!