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Skateboard legend Tony Hawk lights Christmas tree at LegoLand California

CARLSBAD, Calif. USA – LEGOLAND® California’s created 50 new LEGO® skateboard ornaments for its 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas tree in honor of skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. Hawk and two of his children pulled the switch that lit the world’s largest LEGO® Christmas tree tonight after he was presented with $10,000 for the Tony Hawk Foundation by LEGOLAND General Manager Peter Ronchetti. 

“I really want to thank LEGOLAND California for their support,” said Hawk. “I’m really excited to be here doing this today because I was one of the first Ambassador pass members here at LEGOLAND and my family and I come here probably more than I care to admit…so if anyone needs directions or recommendations here…I got you.” 

Hawk was also appreciative of the newest ornaments added to the tree in honor of his Foundation. It took five Master Model Builders more than two weeks to build the LEGO skateboards and each one is created out of 250 LEGO bricks. When the Park’s Holiday Snow Days come to an end on Jan. 2, Hawk is going to sign each skateboard and each will be put up for auction with the proceeds going to the Stand up for Skateparks benefit in 2012. 

“The Tony Hawk Foundation aims to help the growing need of skateparks especially in lower income areas,” continued Hawk. TheTony Hawk Foundation has created 493 skateparks and awarded $3.9 million servicing 3.5 million youth annually across the nation. Before presenting the donation to Hawk, Ronchetti recapped 2011 and hinted at things to come in 2012. “I’m happy to say it’s been another record year at LEGOLAND California Resort,” said Ronchetti. “In 2011 we introduced the popular Star Wars Miniland and we added Splash Zoo to the world’s first LEGO themed Water Park. We have great surprises in store for 2012 but you’ll have to wait until our January press conference for those details – tonight, it’s all about lighting this beautiful LEGO tree!” 

Hawk and his sons Spencer (12) and Keegan (10) joined Santa on stage as they pulled the switch setting off hundreds of lights and a twinkling LEGO star, followed by snow showering Park guests and fireworks from above. The tree is made of more than 245,000 forest green DUPLO® bricks, adorned with more than 240 LEGO ornaments and surrounded by packages and LEGO friends the whole family can enjoy. This is the first time the tree has been “rooted” in Fun Town. In fact, the entire Fun Town area has been transformed for LEGOLAND California’s Holiday Snow Days presented by Western Dental which run through Jan. 2, 2012. 

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is a leader in location-based, family entertainment. By the end of 2011 Merlin will operate 78 attractions, six hotels/two holiday villages in 17 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 43.6 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 16,000 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park, Earth Explorer, Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK, Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter Underwater World, Oceanworld Manly and Hamilton Island Wildlife Park. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz.



The Tony Hawk Foundation was established by a gift from Tony Hawk. Its directors raise additional funds through events, industry donations, and continuing contributions from Tony and other entities. In addition to skateparks, the Foundation also makes donations to other children- related charities, as chosen by its Board Of Directors. For more information or to make a donation, visit the Foundation’s Web site at www.tonyhawkfoundation.org.

Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin ([email protected]) is a leading journalist, content marketing specialist and connector in the international attractions industry. She reports on design and technical design, production and project management, industry trends and company culture. From 2005-2020 she ran communications and publications for the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). In 2013, she was honored with the TEA Service Award. She was development director of IMERSA and publicist for the Large Format Cinema Association, and has contributed to the publications of PLASA, IAAPA and the International Planetarium Society. Judith joined World’s Fair magazine in 1987, which introduced her to the attractions industry. She joined InPark in 2010. Judith earned a BFA from Pratt Institute. She has lived in Detroit, New York, Oakland, and now Saint Louis, where she is active in the local arts community.

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