Many theme parks have tried to evolve beyond the standard mix of fair food and spinning rides that make you want to promptly eject those treats. Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern Califonia, the forerunner to many modern parks, is trying to do just that with its reimagined Fiesta Village, which opened this summer. New touches to this old area are aiming to make it a more authentic representation of the Hispanic cultures that inspired it.
Nestled within the heart of Knott’s Berry Farm, Fiesta Village holds a special place in the park’s history. Originally debuting in 1969 as the park’s second “land,” Fiesta Village was themed around a mix of modern Mexican culture and the Aztec era.
One section, Fiesta Mercada, was inspired by LA’s historic Olvera Street and is complete with a marketplace and stage area. The Fiesta Mercado area is like a mini Mexican craft fair, populated with merchants selling artisanal goods including woven textiles, hand-sewn coin purses and beautifully crafted pottery. The marketplace provides a sensory experience where parents can engage with artisans and learn about their trades.
Dancers entertain visitors at Fiesta Village at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif. The newly reimagined section of the park leans heavily into its Hispanic influences.
Photo Courtesy: Knott’s Berry FarmThroughout the day and night at Knott’s Berry Farm, various forms of entertainment showcase a celebration of Hispanic cultures, with the action nestled among adobe-style buildings. Guests are immersed in the sounds of mariachi, along with storytellers and baile folklorico dancing. A new entertainment piece, Calle Celebracion, kicks off after sunset celebrating Mexican traditions of family, love and community through color, music, dancing and colorful larger-than-life puppets. Affirming that a return to this cherished part of the park is a nostalgic journey that will captivate both long-time visitors and those experiencing it for the first time.
Guests at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the Hat Dance in the Fiesta Village section of the park.
Photo Courtesy: Knott’s Berry FarmMission-style architecture surrounds you and the Jaguar temple area draws you into another period in North American history. A new part of Fiesta Village, Alebrije Gardens, showcases large, whimsical sculptures of creatures that have been painted in vibrant colors. In addition to new sights and entertainment, seven Fiesta Village rides have been redone and renamed in the makeover, while construction walls block off the work being done on the previous Montezooma coaster.
A plate of boysenberry-filled churros are shown at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif.
Sean Teegarden Photography/Knott’s Berry FarmFood at Fiesta Village includes Oreo churros and margarita flights
We’ve told you before that Knott’s Berry Farm has better churros than Disneyland, and a new restaurant at Fiesta Village offers an Oreo version of this Spanish culinary classic.
Casa California lets you build your own delectable street tacos and flavorful burritos before you add that deep-fried treat to your bill. The land’s redesign also includes a fish taco stand in Baja Taqueria as well as kiosks serving street food that includes elote. If you’re looking to knock back cerveza and tequila, you’ll find Mexican lager served alongside a spicy jalapeno margarita and the margarita flights poured at Cantina Del Sur.
A look at the newly reopened Fiesta Village section of Knott’s Berry Farm shows the thrill ride La Revolucion in action.
Photo Courtesy: Knott’s Berry FarmKnott’s Berry Farm’s history links to Walt Disney
Knott’s Berry Farm holds a significant place in the history of Southern California and shares a unique connection with Walt Disney himself. In the 1920s, Walter and Cordelia Knott transformed their family berry farm into a roadside attraction, offering homemade preserves and fried chicken to travelers. The popularity of the Knott family’s farm (and their famous fried chicken) grew, and led Walter Knott to expand its offerings.
During this time, Disney was beginning his journey into the world of animation and entertainment. The two men were driven by a passion for storytelling and creating unique experiences for their guests. In fact, Knott and Disney were friends and often shared ideas and advice with each other, as previously reported by SFGATE.
While Disneyland became a global behemoth, Knott’s Berry Farm, which is now owned by Ohio-based theme park giant Cedar Fair, retained its charm as a historical park that celebrates California culture. The park’s commitment to preserving its roots and providing family-friendly entertainment is evident in its reimagining of Fiesta Village.
This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].