Cedar Point releases entertainment schedule

Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing CPFoodBlog.com and @CPFoodBlog on Twitter. SANDUSKY — We are about to tell you a little secret about our visits to Cedar Point. While most guests are rushing to get in as many rides as they can during their visit, our visits are often quite different. As a season passholder, we have the luxury of being able to visit the park at our leisure, and, often times, we never ride a single attraction. With a season-long dining plan, we will usually head up to the park after work to grab a bite to eat, do a lap around the park to enjoy the views and sometimes see some of the live entertainment throughout the park. In the past few years, the live entertainment has presented some really stellar performances that were not only worth seeing, but watching them several times. Often as we are sitting and watching a show, we will ponder how much we would typically pay to see such entertainment outside the park: $50? $100? Yet it is all included in your pass for no additional charge: live bands, dancers and acrobatics and even full production shows. Just the show in Lusty Lil's is worth the price alone, as they always put on a great show. The 2022 HalloWeekends show is one that stood out that we watched several times, it always had a line to get in and was a fantastic production. After the announcement that Forbidden Frontier on Adventure Island had been canceled, we started to get a little nervous about what we could or could not expect as far as live entertainment due to budget cuts. Thankfully, the live entertainment schedule has now been released for the 2023 season, and there is quite a bit to see. One of our favorite shows to see is the "Bands in Residence." Spread across four stages, Cedar Point hires bands from all over the country to perform on select days. This year's schedule brings in 60 bands and groups from May 6 through Aug. 13 performing everything from rock to bluegrass. We have seen some incredible acts that really bring the atmosphere alive. Of course, families will still be able to get their fill of Peanuts character appearances spread across The Boardwalk, Peanuts Point Store, Camp Snoopy and Planet Snoopy. From May 27 through Aug. 13, two alternating shows will take place in Camp Snoopy: "Party with the Peanuts" and "Snoopy's Dog Days of Summer." Circling back to that whole confessions thing: There is one show we regret not seeing in 2022, and that was 'Come See About Me" in the Jack Aldrich Theatre. The full stage production show that celebrates Motown will luckily return this year from May 27 through Aug. 13, and you can bet us a funnel cake we will not miss it this year. Red Garter Saloon will feature On Tap: Home Brew, featuring the house band singing and performing country, classic and southern rock hits. The main stage in Celebration Plaza, outside Iron Dragon, will feature the return of "Pep Rally: School's Out." The show brings a lot of high energy to the stage and good fun for the whole family. At night, the Celebration Stage transforms into "Summerbration!" From June 23 through Aug. 13, all things summer are on the table as singers, dancers and entertainers ramp up the party with a high-energy show, fireworks and more that promises to bring back the iconic Luminosity show reimagined. Lastly, the Swell Tones dancing and singing group perform daily outside Coasters Diner from June 3 through Aug. 13. With so much great live entertainment on the table for 2023, think you can slow down a minute and catch a show?