WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (March 11, 2008) – Another year of excitement and a season packed full of events begins when Busch Gardens opens March 21. Twenty-one nights of concerts, two gardening weekends and four days with Busch Gardens’ celebrity animal ambassadors are just a few of the can’t-miss special events taking place at the park this year.

• Ready, Set, GROW! (April 19 – 20, April 26 – 27) Join top area landscapers during two interactive gardening weekends, featuring workshops and demonstrations to keep gardens blooming all year. This event coincides with the grand opening of Busch Gardens’ new landscaping shop, The Garden Gate, situated in the England section of the park. “Ready, Set, GROW!” is sponsored by Sta-Green ®.
  
• Glory at the Gardens (May 4, 11 & 18) Busch Gardens’ contemporary Christian concert series. Eleven Christian artists, including Third Day, Mark Schultz and Natalie Grant, will perform over three consecutive Sundays in May.
  
• Wild Days with Jack Hanna, Julie Scardina and Ginny Busch (May 31 – June 1, June 7 – 8) Interact with animals from Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks and meet popular animal experts. Learn simple, but important techniques to protect wild animals and their habitats.
  
• Summer Nights Concert Series (July 19 – 20, 26 – 27, Aug. 2 – 3, 9 – 10, 16 – 17) This popular concert series is back and better than ever with an amazing lineup of musicians, including performances by Rick Springfield, The Charlie Daniels Band and Peter Frampton.
  
• Sock Hop Nights (Aug. 23 – 24, Aug. 30 – 31) Guests can take a trip back to the golden age of rock and roll and watch the King of Twist, Chubby Checker, perform at the Royal Palace Theatre. The following weekend, The Four Tops will sing their classic songs.
  
• Bud & BBQ (Sept. 6 – 7, Sept. 13 – 14) A perfect mix of ice-cold beer, smokin’ hot barbecue and live music takes place this September at Busch Gardens. Join the party as chefs from around the country prepare mouth watering recipes while some of today’s hottest musicians take the stage.
  
• 10th Season of Howl-O-Scream (Sept. 19 – Oct. 26) Can’t get enough of all the thrills and chills at Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream? Just wait until this year as the park celebrates its 10th season of chills and thrills.

Busch Gardens makes it easier than ever for guests to visit in 2008 with ticket options that offer unlimited fun and value. Guests can choose the Discovery Ticket and receive unlimited visits to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA for seven consecutive days. Those looking for even more flexibility will appreciate the Williamsburg Bounce Ticket, which combines unlimited visits for seven consecutive days to Busch Gardens, Water Country USA and Colonial Williamsburg. For Virginia residents, there is the Busch Gardens Fun Card where guests can pay for a day and come back all spring and summer. Ticket information and prices can be found online at buschgardens.com/va or by calling (800) 343-7946.

Busch Gardens and Water Country USA are Worlds of Discovery parks. Other Worlds of Discovery parks include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, Fla., San Diego, Calif. and San Antonio, Texas; Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, Fla.; Discovery Cove in Orlando, Fla.; Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. near Philadelphia; Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park in Orlando; and Adventure Island water park in Tampa, Fla.