The Fred Rogers Company and Idlewild and SoakZone Announce New Partnership

LIGONIER, PA – March 12, 2014 – The Fred Rogers Company (www.fredrogers.org) and Idlewild and SoakZone (www.idlewild.com) today announce that they are teaming together to bring the popular childrens’ character, Daniel Tiger, to the Ligonier amusement park, which was named ‘Best Kids’ Park in the World” for the fourth consecutive year. The main character from the award-winning animated preschool series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on PBS KIDS, Daniel Tiger will appear at the park daily during the 2014 summer season.

“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood continues the legacy of Fred Rogers in such an attractive and innovative way,” says Brandon Leonatti, General Manager of Idlewild & SoakZone. “The program has won two Parent’s Choice Awards and is in the top level of all children’s shows on the air today. We feel that it is the perfect fit for the children who visit our park, and their parents who grew up watching the original series.”

“The program has won two Parent’s Choice Awards and is in the top level of all children’s shows on the air today. We feel that it is the perfect fit for the children who visit our park, and their parents who grew up watching the original series.”

“We’re excited to continue our long-standing relationship with Idlewild in bringing wholesome family entertainment and experiences to its visitors,” comments Bill Isler, President of the Fred Rogers Company. Also remarking, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is the first TV series inspired by the original Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and we’re thrilled that Idlewild will be the first amusement park to introduce the characters and imagination of Fred Rogers to the next generation of young children and their parents through Daniel Tiger.”

The two companies previously partnered in 1989, developing a life-size trolley ride that took visitors to the “Neighborhood of Make-Believe.” The trolley ride concluded its 25-year operation at the end of the 2013 season. In 2014, this area will serve as the location for daily Daniel Tiger “Meet and Greets” and photo opportunities. A new Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood-themed attraction is being planned for 2015 at this same location, along with a new, live-action show featuring Daniel Tiger and other characters from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

Idlewild & SoakZone will open for its 137th operating season on May 22.

ABOUT THE FRED ROGERS COMPANY - The company was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much -loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional and behavior al health and supporting parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals in their work with children. The Fred Rogers Company continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media, and engaging new generations of child ren and families with his timeless wisdom. For more information, visit us at www.fredrogers.org.