Knott’s Parent Reports Overall Attendance Drop

Cedar Fair, the Ohio partnership that owns Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, said attendance at several of its parks for the first five months of the year decreased 7% due to cool weather and rain.

The amusement parks operator said it remains confident its 2001 attendance and revenue goals are still within reach because most people attend the parks in July and August.

Analysts estimate that Cedar Fair will earn $1.74 a share this year, according to a First Call/Thomson Financial survey. In 2000, the company earned $77.8 million, or $1.50 a share, including a $7.8 million charge, on revenue of $472.9 million. The 2001 figures don’t include results from Michigan’s Adventure and Oasis Water Park, both of which were acquired in late May.