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Tag: Cal Expo

  • Cal Expo says California Dreamin’ broke water park contract with missed payment

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    Plans for a new water park at Cal Expo appear to be slip-sliding away.Water park fans have been dreaming for years of a return to the site of Sacramento’s former Raging Waters park, which closed in 2022 after 15 years of operation. (Previous coverage in the video above.)A new water park called Calibunga has been the brainchild of California Dreamin’ Entertainment executive Steven Dooner, who initially planned to open it in 2024 as part of a three-year plan for renovations. Dooner later said the park needed to be fully renovated and his company planned a target opening date for 2027. At one point, Chuck E. Cheese was said to be a partner on the project. But there were financial issues behind the scenes. California Dreamin’ Entertainment has been in violation of its lease agreement with more than $202,000 owed to Cal Expo, according to a letter included with a Cal Expo board packet last month. The letter, dated Jan. 16, said that California Dreamin’ Entertainment missed a final extension for paying up. It warned that the lease agreement would be voided on Feb. 2 and Cal Expo would take possession of the water park on Feb. 3. Cal Expo said in a statement that, as of Tuesday, California Dreamin’ Entertainment was in breach of its contractual obligations. This came after it first sent a notice to the company on Oct. 31, 2025, about an unresolved past-due balance. An initial deadline to pay was Dec. 4 and then extended to Dec. 18. Cal Expo said its Long-Range Planning Committee denied another request for an extension on Dec. 11. “Cal Expo looks forward to exploring partnerships and new opportunities for the water park that align with our long-term vision and operational goals that maximize the site’s potential,” Cal Expo said. KCRA 3 also reached out to Dooner for comment. He acknowledged that Cal Expo had terminated the lease. “We don’t believe it’s appropriate to litigate business disputes in the media, but we acknowledge the termination and are focused on addressing matters through the appropriate channels,” he said. Dooner is also the head of another company called California Dreamin’ Presents. The company’s website says it is an official licensing partner of the X Games, which are slated to take place at Cal Expo this summer. A Cal Expo spokesperson said that X Games are “its own entity” and are still scheduled to take place from June 26-28.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    Plans for a new water park at Cal Expo appear to be slip-sliding away.

    Water park fans have been dreaming for years of a return to the site of Sacramento’s former Raging Waters park, which closed in 2022 after 15 years of operation.

    (Previous coverage in the video above.)

    A new water park called Calibunga has been the brainchild of California Dreamin’ Entertainment executive Steven Dooner, who initially planned to open it in 2024 as part of a three-year plan for renovations. Dooner later said the park needed to be fully renovated and his company planned a target opening date for 2027. At one point, Chuck E. Cheese was said to be a partner on the project.

    But there were financial issues behind the scenes. California Dreamin’ Entertainment has been in violation of its lease agreement with more than $202,000 owed to Cal Expo, according to a letter included with a Cal Expo board packet last month.

    The letter, dated Jan. 16, said that California Dreamin’ Entertainment missed a final extension for paying up. It warned that the lease agreement would be voided on Feb. 2 and Cal Expo would take possession of the water park on Feb. 3.

    Cal Expo said in a statement that, as of Tuesday, California Dreamin’ Entertainment was in breach of its contractual obligations.

    This came after it first sent a notice to the company on Oct. 31, 2025, about an unresolved past-due balance. An initial deadline to pay was Dec. 4 and then extended to Dec. 18. Cal Expo said its Long-Range Planning Committee denied another request for an extension on Dec. 11.

    “Cal Expo looks forward to exploring partnerships and new opportunities for the water park that align with our long-term vision and operational goals that maximize the site’s potential,” Cal Expo said.

    KCRA 3 also reached out to Dooner for comment. He acknowledged that Cal Expo had terminated the lease.

    “We don’t believe it’s appropriate to litigate business disputes in the media, but we acknowledge the termination and are focused on addressing matters through the appropriate channels,” he said.

    Dooner is also the head of another company called California Dreamin’ Presents. The company’s website says it is an official licensing partner of the X Games, which are slated to take place at Cal Expo this summer.

    A Cal Expo spokesperson said that X Games are “its own entity” and are still scheduled to take place from June 26-28.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • 2 detained, 1 suspect on run after brief pursuit near Cal Expo, officials say

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    Deputies are searching for a suspect after they ran from a brief pursuit near Cal Expo on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Two people were detained in connection with the incident.The sheriff’s office said its gang unit tried to stop a vehicle “with known gang members and associates” near Exposition Boulevard and Challenge Way after 4 p.m. The vehicle did not stop, and a short vehicle pursuit ensued.Officials said the suspect vehicle struck several civilian vehicles before it stopped. No injuries were reported. The suspects inside the vehicle got out and ran away, officials said. The sheriff’s office said two loaded firearms with extended magazines were recovered in the investigation. Footage from LiveCopter 3 shows two lanes of Exposition Boulevard blocked by law enforcement. See the latest traffic information here. This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at kcra.com/upload.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    Deputies are searching for a suspect after they ran from a brief pursuit near Cal Expo on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Two people were detained in connection with the incident.

    The sheriff’s office said its gang unit tried to stop a vehicle “with known gang members and associates” near Exposition Boulevard and Challenge Way after 4 p.m. The vehicle did not stop, and a short vehicle pursuit ensued.

    Officials said the suspect vehicle struck several civilian vehicles before it stopped. No injuries were reported.

    The suspects inside the vehicle got out and ran away, officials said.

    The sheriff’s office said two loaded firearms with extended magazines were recovered in the investigation.

    Footage from LiveCopter 3 shows two lanes of Exposition Boulevard blocked by law enforcement.

    See the latest traffic information here.

    This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.

    See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at kcra.com/upload.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Imaginarium opens for 2025 season Wednesday after earlier confusion, organizers say

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    The Imaginarium holiday light show at Cal Expo opened on Wednesday following a delay and confusing announcements. The status of Imaginarium’s Utopia, billed as Northern California’s largest holiday light festival, was thrown into confusion Wednesday when a spokesperson for the event said a social media post announcing the opening after earlier delays was premature. “Several new electrical panels have been installed and are currently pending inspection,” Darla Givens told KCRA 3 two hours after Imaginarium Sacramento posted on Facebook about its reopening plans. “Once those panels are fully inspected and approved, Imaginarium will receive the green light to open. Until that process is complete, Imaginarium will remain closed.”(Previous coverage in the video above.)That process was since completed. Givens confirmed a second Facebook post that said “Cal Expo is definitely opening tonight” at 5 p.m. “The Imaginarium team has been working non-stop to install the new electrical panels,” she said. “Because this year’s footprint is three times larger than previous years, the process required extensive coordination and additional time to ensure every section of the experience is powered reliably.”Imaginarium was originally set to begin holding light shows on Friday, Nov. 21. But the opening day was called off abruptly within an hour of gates being set to open. Givens cited “unforeseen circumstances” at the time and said Saturday the delay was due to damaged electrical panels that needed to be replaced. During the closure, tickets appear to have continued being sold online. Organizers said that ticket holders could email them at imagine@imaginarium360.com to reschedule postponed dates. But some people said on Facebook they had trouble connecting with event organizers. Imaginarium aims to transform the fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland powered by more than 15 million lights. The event previously faced an opening day delay in 2023 because of severe weather. This year’s edition debuts an expanded footprint and a new entrance at Cal Expo’s Main Gate at Exposition and Heritage, which was supposed to streamline access for the season’s crowds. KCRA 3 got a tour of the attraction on Friday morning. Visitors can stroll through illuminated tunnels, step into mirror rooms, glide across a covered ice rink, snap photos with Santa, and cap the night with carnival rides and festive food and drink along Food Court Row near the waterpark.Organizers say Utopia aims to be a “perfect holiday escape,” where families and couples can make new traditions in a setting designed for dazzling photos and spirited nights out. Imaginarium traces its roots to the team behind the first U.S. Chinese Lantern Festival at Great America in 2011. The concept evolved into Global Winter Wonderland, which opened at Cal Expo in 2014, and later into Imaginarium, which organizers say is the largest holiday light festival in the country. The brand now spans multiple locations across California and Arizona.Learn more about tickets here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    The Imaginarium holiday light show at Cal Expo opened on Wednesday following a delay and confusing announcements.

    The status of Imaginarium’s Utopia, billed as Northern California’s largest holiday light festival, was thrown into confusion Wednesday when a spokesperson for the event said a social media post announcing the opening after earlier delays was premature.

    “Several new electrical panels have been installed and are currently pending inspection,” Darla Givens told KCRA 3 two hours after Imaginarium Sacramento posted on Facebook about its reopening plans. “Once those panels are fully inspected and approved, Imaginarium will receive the green light to open. Until that process is complete, Imaginarium will remain closed.”

    (Previous coverage in the video above.)

    That process was since completed. Givens confirmed a second Facebook post that said “Cal Expo is definitely opening tonight” at 5 p.m.

    This content is imported from Facebook.
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    “The Imaginarium team has been working non-stop to install the new electrical panels,” she said. “Because this year’s footprint is three times larger than previous years, the process required extensive coordination and additional time to ensure every section of the experience is powered reliably.”

    Imaginarium was originally set to begin holding light shows on Friday, Nov. 21. But the opening day was called off abruptly within an hour of gates being set to open.

    Givens cited “unforeseen circumstances” at the time and said Saturday the delay was due to damaged electrical panels that needed to be replaced.

    During the closure, tickets appear to have continued being sold online. Organizers said that ticket holders could email them at imagine@imaginarium360.com to reschedule postponed dates. But some people said on Facebook they had trouble connecting with event organizers.

    Imaginarium aims to transform the fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland powered by more than 15 million lights.

    The event previously faced an opening day delay in 2023 because of severe weather.

    This year’s edition debuts an expanded footprint and a new entrance at Cal Expo’s Main Gate at Exposition and Heritage, which was supposed to streamline access for the season’s crowds. KCRA 3 got a tour of the attraction on Friday morning.

    Visitors can stroll through illuminated tunnels, step into mirror rooms, glide across a covered ice rink, snap photos with Santa, and cap the night with carnival rides and festive food and drink along Food Court Row near the waterpark.

    Organizers say Utopia aims to be a “perfect holiday escape,” where families and couples can make new traditions in a setting designed for dazzling photos and spirited nights out.

    Imaginarium traces its roots to the team behind the first U.S. Chinese Lantern Festival at Great America in 2011.

    The concept evolved into Global Winter Wonderland, which opened at Cal Expo in 2014, and later into Imaginarium, which organizers say is the largest holiday light festival in the country.

    The brand now spans multiple locations across California and Arizona.

    Learn more about tickets here.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Imaginarium’s ‘Utopia’: NorCal’s largest holiday festival returns with 15 million lights

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    STUFF THEY’RE GOING TO DO OUT THERE HAPPENING TONIGHT, A SACRAMENTO HOLIDAY SEASON TRADITION IS BACK WITH THE OPENING OF A NEW SEASON OF THE IMAGINARIUM. IT IS HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW AND A WHOLE LOT OF FUN FOR THE FAMILY. ERIN HEFT JOINS US LIVE FROM CAL EXPO WITH OUR FIRST LOOK AT THIS YEAR’S EXHIBIT. GOOD MORNING. ISN’T THIS INCREDIBLE? THE THEME THIS YEAR, UTOPIA. TAKE A LOOK THROUGH THIS CANOPY OF INCREDIBLE FLOWERS THIS MORNING. YEAH, IT REALLY FITS ITS NAME. IF WE STAND UP, YOU HAVE TO WALK THROUGH IT. IT IS GORGEOUS. OVER 50 MILLION LIGHTS. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA’S LARGEST HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW. WE MAKE OUR WAY. HELLO, EVERYONE. WE HAVE TO WALK THROUGH IT. IT’S QUITE MAGICAL. AND ON THE OTHER END OF THIS MAGIC IS DARLA. OKAY, SO TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS YEAR BECAUSE IT’S INCREDIBLE. IT’S MY FIRST TIME BEING HERE. I KNOW YOU SAID YOU ALWAYS SAW IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. WELL, WELCOME TO IMAGINARIUM. THIS YEAR, THE FOOTPRINT IS LARGER. WE’RE TALKING MORE THAN 15 MILLION LIGHTS. THIS IS THE 14TH YEAR OF IMAGINARIUM HERE AT CAL EXPO. AND A NEW ENTRANCE AS WELL. COME THROUGH ENTRANCE AT HERITAGE AND YOU’LL GET WELCOMED BY LIGHTS THERE. IT WAS SHOCKING WHEN WE PULLED UP THIS MORNING. OH MY GOODNESS, IT’S STUNNING. SO OKAY TO ME BECAUSE LAST YEAR WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A RAIN DELAY. AND THIS YEAR IT’S WE COULDN’T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER FORECAST. KEEPING OUR FINGERS CROSSED. WE DID GET RAIN ON THURSDAY AND THEN LAST WEEK, SO THAT DELAYED A LITTLE BIT. BUT THEY’RE PUTTING TOGETHER THE FINISHING TOUCHES. YOU KNOW IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE LIGHTS WE ALSO HAVE A CIRCUS PERFORMANCE THREE TIMES A NIGHT. TEN GENERATIONS OF CIRCUS PERFORMERS. AND THEY HAVE A WATER SHOW THIS YEAR. SO I’M EXCITED TO SEE THAT. YEAH. AND IT STARTS THIS EVENING. CORRECT. IT STARTS THIS EVENING. AND YOU CAN STILL GET YOUR EARLY BIRD FAMILY PASS OR A FUN PASS. IT’S $36 THAT GETS YOU ADMISSION AND ALSO A RIDE WRISTBAND, UNLIMITED RIDES. SO WE DO HAVE CARNIVAL RIDES. WE HAVE FOOD. WE HAVE EVERYTHING HERE. TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY TRADITION. LOTS OF FUN, I LOVE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DARLA. APPRECIATE ERIN SO BEAUTIFUL. SO FUN. YES. AND I MEAN, TAKE A LOOK. THIS IS JUST A TINY SNAPSHOT. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO DO THE LIVE SHOT. IT’S ENDLESS. AND THIS WOULD BE SHOCKING FOR ANY LITTLE BABIES OUT THERE. SO REALLY, A FUN FAMILY TRADITION ALL SET UP IN ONE PLACE. AND IT STARTS THIS EVENING AND RUNS THROUGH PART OF JANUARY, SO YOU HAVE TONS OF TIME TO GET IN ON IT. BACK TO YOU GUYS. ALL RIGHT. I’M NOT SURE WE COULD HAVE FOUND A MORE PERFECT PERSON TO COVER THIS TODAY. YOU’RE RIGHT AT HOME. I LOVE THE ENTHUSIASM. THANK YOU. ERIN. BY THE WAY, THE IMAGINARIUM IS OPEN T

    Imaginarium’s ‘Utopia’: Northern California’s largest holiday festival returns with 15 million lights

    Organizers say Utopia aims to be a “perfect holiday escape.”

    Updated: 10:09 AM PST Nov 21, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Imaginarium’s Utopia, billed as Northern California’s largest holiday light festival, returns to Cal Expo from Nov. 21, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, transforming the fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland powered by more than 15 million lights.This year’s edition debuts an expanded footprint and a new entrance at Cal Expo’s Main Gate at Exposition and Heritage, streamlining access for the season’s crowds. Visitors can stroll through illuminated tunnels, step into mirror rooms, glide across a covered ice rink, snap photos with Santa, and cap the night with carnival rides and festive food and drink along Food Court Row near the waterpark.Organizers say Utopia aims to be a “perfect holiday escape,” where families and couples can make new traditions in a setting designed for dazzling photos and spirited nights out. Imaginarium traces its roots to the team behind the first U.S. Chinese Lantern Festival at Great America in 2011. The concept evolved into Global Winter Wonderland, which opened at Cal Expo in 2014, and later into Imaginarium, which organizers say is the largest holiday light festival in the country. The brand now spans multiple locations across California and Arizona.Learn more about tickets here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    Imaginarium’s Utopia, billed as Northern California’s largest holiday light festival, returns to Cal Expo from Nov. 21, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, transforming the fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland powered by more than 15 million lights.

    This year’s edition debuts an expanded footprint and a new entrance at Cal Expo’s Main Gate at Exposition and Heritage, streamlining access for the season’s crowds.

    Visitors can stroll through illuminated tunnels, step into mirror rooms, glide across a covered ice rink, snap photos with Santa, and cap the night with carnival rides and festive food and drink along Food Court Row near the waterpark.

    Organizers say Utopia aims to be a “perfect holiday escape,” where families and couples can make new traditions in a setting designed for dazzling photos and spirited nights out.

    Imaginarium traces its roots to the team behind the first U.S. Chinese Lantern Festival at Great America in 2011.

    The concept evolved into Global Winter Wonderland, which opened at Cal Expo in 2014, and later into Imaginarium, which organizers say is the largest holiday light festival in the country.

    The brand now spans multiple locations across California and Arizona.

    Learn more about tickets here.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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