The citizens of Calico have formed a Paranormal Investigators Society to look into reports of ghost sightings in a novel bit of self-referential meta storytelling taking place this summer at Knott’s Berry Farm as part of an all-day improv theater experience.
A new Wild West choose-your-own-adventure interactive experience that lets Knott’s Berry Farm visitors drive, change and participate in a constantly evolving storyline has returned to the Buena Park theme park.
This summer’s version of Ghost Town Alive adds to the storytelling twists with the new “Miss Cameo Kate’s Western Burle-Q Revue” stage show in the Bird Cage Theatre with a traveling troupe of singers, dancers and musicians that propel the Ghost Town Alive story forward.
Ghost Town Alive and “Miss Cameo Kate’s Western Burle-Q Revue” kicked off over the weekend as part of Knott’s summertime entertainment lineup running through Sept. 5.
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Ghost Town Alive injects Wild West characters and improv storytelling into Calico Ghost Town, the original heart of the theme park that grew to include a saloon, blacksmith shop, school house, train depot and stagecoach stop.
Ghost Town Alive, which debuted in 2016, returns to Knott’s after a two-year pandemic pause. In this year’s iteration of Ghost Town Alive, the citizens of Calico Ghost Town don’t yet realize they are surrounded by ghosts — but they are soon about to find out.
The interactive and immersive story of Ghost Town Alive will unfold daily throughout the summer in Knott’s Calico Ghost Town — the oldest area of the park. The Calico Gazette newspaper tracks the daily happenings in town — from the annual Founders Day celebration to the theft of a treasure map to sightings of spectral spirits. Chaos inevitably ensues as each day’s events unfold — made more complicated by an ongoing feud in town between the rival outlaw gangs of the Mayfields and the Mad Bucks.
About two dozen characters in 1850s Wild West period costumes interact with Knott’s visitors and assign them duties to complete throughout Calico ghost town. Visitors play an active role in shaping daily events and propelling forward the overarching story that develops throughout the day.
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No two daily story arcs in the live-action role playing adventure are ever the same. Visitors can decide to pledge allegiance to the notorious Mayfield gang of bandits or help save the day with a posse of courageous cowboys.
Peek-in locations throughout Calico Ghost Town have been transformed into working establishments and are open to visitors who want to step inside. Stop by the barber shop to catch up on the town gossip. Or swing by the sheriff’s office for a crooked game of cards. But beware: Your face could end up on a wanted poster.
The interactive improv play lets hard-core players extract intimate town secrets from the actors and unlock “Easter eggs” that open up new storylines in the ongoing and ever-changing tale.
The new “Miss Cameo Kate’s Western Burle-Q Revue” stage show in the Bird Cage Theatre adds to the ongoing storytelling taking place during Ghost Town Alive. Set in Calico, the Western-themed stage show features song and dance routines that expand on the town’s tales and gossip.
Each day’s storyline ends with a clapping and stomping hoedown dance party around 6 p.m. in Calico Park. A square dance caller organizes promenades and dosidos that partner Calico townspeople actors with Knott’s visitors. Storytelling events from the day are wrapped up on stage. On Saturday, there was a wedding proposal (she said no) and a special election for mayor (won by a young Knott’s visitor named Emily).
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Knott’s Ghost Town dates to 1940, when Walter Knott relocated the Gold Trails Hotel from Prescott, Ariz., to his Buena Park farm in hopes of entertaining customers waiting in hourslong lines for his wife Cordelia’s chicken restaurant.
Over time, Knott expanded on the popularity of the hotel with additional buildings from deserted ghost towns. In 1951, he bought and restored the Calico ghost town in San Bernardino County and adopted the deserted mining town’s name and aesthetic for his burgeoning theme park. He enclosed the park in 1968 and instituted a $1 admission fee.