Paramount Parks Opens Gates for Hurricane Evacuees
Posted: 09-16-2005 :

CHARLOTTE -- Paramount Parks plans to offer free admission to the displaced residents of the states devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Effective immediately, residents of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama will be admitted free of charge to the company's theme parks near Cincinnati, Ohio, Charlotte, N.C., Richmond, Va., Santa Clara, Calif. and Toronto, Ontario in Canada. This offer is valid on any public operating day between now and the end of the parks' regular 2005 operating seasons.

"Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this terrible tragedy," said Alexander Weber Jr., president of Paramount Parks. "We know that evacuees are relocating to all corners of North America for assistance as they work to cope with the impact of Katrina. Our hope is that as these families start to work through this devastating event, we can provide a brief break and day of fun."

The company's offer includes free park admission and free parking at the following Paramount theme parks:

Paramount Canada's Wonderland - Toronto, Ontario - Canada (http://www.canadaswonderland.com )
Paramount's Carowinds - Charlotte, N.C. (http://www.carowinds.com )
Paramount's Great America - Santa Clara, Calif. (http://www.pgathrills.com )
Paramount's Kings Dominion - Richmond, Va. (http://www.kingsdominion.com )
Paramount's Kings Island - Cincinnati, Ohio (http://www.pki.com )

To receive free admission and free parking, residents of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama must show proof of residency (i.e. valid driver's license, state issued ID card). Offer is not valid on days the parks are closed for private events, park rentals or during separate-admission special events (Scarowinds at Paramount's Carowinds, during FearFest at Paramount Canada's Wonderland or during WinterFest at Paramount's Carowinds or Paramount's Kings Island). Limit four free admission tickets per valid ID/proof of residency.

In addition, host families who are helping hurricane evacuees qualify for a $20 discount on park admission as long as they visit the park with a resident of Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama.

This free admission program is one of several initiatives supported by Paramount theme parks to assist with the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Some parks are hosting outings for evacuees in cooperation with local shelter facilities while others are supporting additional fund-raising efforts for the American Red Cross. Paramount Parks' parent company, Viacom made a $1,000,000 cash contribution to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund and announced plans for an additional employee matching gift program to help the victims of the storm while Parks' sister companies CBS, UPN and Showtime supported Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast on Sept. 9. The commercial-free entertainment special/fundraising event was broadcast in more than 95 countries around the world.

About Paramount Parks
Paramount Parks is a leading developer and operator of world-class theme parks and location-based attractions, entertaining more than 13 million guests annually. Paramount Parks currently owns and operates five of the most popular theme parks in North America including: Paramount Canada's Wonderland (Toronto, Ontario, Canada); Paramount's Carowinds (Charlotte, N.C.); Paramount's Great America (Santa Clara, Calif.); Paramount's Kings Dominion (Richmond, Va.); and Paramount's Kings Island (Cincinnati, Ohio). Paramount Parks also developed and manages the award-winning STAR TREK: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton (Las Vegas, Nev.) and manages Bonfante Gardens theme park (Gilroy, Calif.); and CBS Television City at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino (Las Vegas, Nev.).

About Viacom
Viacom is a global media company with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, Viacom is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, music and comedy. Viacom's well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, TV Land, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, Showtime, Blockbuster and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at http://www.viacom.com