Earlier today, Snoopy arrived at his new home in grand style -- by helicopter. The Minnesota-born beagle flew in to unveil Valleyfair Amusement Park's newest attraction, Planet Snoopy. The $9 million, 3.5 acre Planet Snoopy features over 20 PEANUTS-themed rides and attractions, including the PEANUTS Playhouse, Snoopy Boutique and Planet Grill.

MacKenzie, Valleyfair's vice president and general manager, accepted the Key to the City of Shakopee from Mayor John. J. Schmitt as well as a proclamation declaring it Valleyfair and Planet Snoopy Day.

The arrival of Planet Snoopy to the park is fitting because it was Minnesota native, Charles Schulz, who introduced the PEANUTS characters to the country in 1950. "We consider it an honor to welcome Snoopy and his friends to Valleyfair," saysLarry MacKenzie, Vice President and General Manager for Valleyfair.

Guests will be able to meet the PEANUTS characters daily, with Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and Sally, as wandering around their new park. The PEANUTS gang will entertain kids of all ages with "Charlie Brown's HOEDOWN" each day in the PEANUTS Showplace and catch a bite before the park opens with the Gang at the character breakfasts beginning June 4.

For more information, directions or to purchase tickets in advance, please visit www.valleyfair.com or call 952-445-7600.

Valleyfair opened to the public in 1976. Today, with 90 acres of land, it is the largest amusement park in the Upper Midwest, employing 70 full-time and 1,600 season employees. It is located only 25 minutes southwest of the Twin Cities on County Road 101, just east of Shakopee, Minn. Guests can to enjoy unlimited rides, shows and Soak City Waterpark with daily admission or a season pass. 

Valleyfair is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FUN." In addition to Valleyfair, Cedar Fair owns and operates 10 other amusement parks, six waterparks, one indoor waterpark resort and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California, under a management contract.