SANDUSKY, Ohio — Cedar Point announced Tuesday a 51-day commemoration of the park’s 150th anniversary, which begins Saturday.

Cedar Point was ready to usher in its 150th anniversary in grand style in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic forced the amusement park to postpone.

Cedar Point first opened in 1870, and according to its official timeline, the park was used as a public bathing beach at the time. It was not until 1892 when Cedar Point installed its first roller coaster, which could travel at speeds of up to 10 mph. Two years later, Cedar Point installed a pony track, diving platform, water toboggan, horizontal bars, water trapeze and bicycle boats.

Among the festivities will be the Celebrate 150 Spectacular, which will be a nightly parade through Aug. 15 that includes floats, performers and pyrotechnics. 

Cedar Point will also be running a Ticket of a Lifetime contest. Visitors to the park will have the opportunity to win a lifetime ticket good for them and three guests. Guests can enter the Ticket of a Lifetime contest up to five times per day. In addition to a lifetime pass, other prizes will be given away throughout the day, Cedar Point said.

“It’s time. We’ve all waited more than a year to share this momentous occasion, and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Carrie Boldman, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “From the Celebrate 150 Spectacular to the unbelievable Ticket of a Lifetime, we’re pulling out all the stops as we recognize and celebrate 150 years of Cedar Point – the quintessential American summertime tradition.”

Although most social distancing protocols have been lifted at Cedar Point, the park remains short staffed. Cedar Point has been closed on Tuesdays and Wednesday. 

More details are available on the Cedar Point website.