Knott’s Berry Farm is known for Mrs. Knott’s Famous Chicken dinners, that has recently been remodeled and expanded to seat 800 people at one time. History records that Walter and Cordelia Knott began by selling fresh berries and rhubarb from a small stand (that’s still on the property today), expanding to where it is today to have lots of wonderful varieties of foods and great rides for seasoned riders and the younger set. This year marks 75-years of Ghost Town, with the Ghost Rider ride having also been refurbished to be a smoother ride once again.
Knott’s Berry Farm is known for Mrs. Knott’s Famous Chicken dinners, that has recently been remodeled and expanded to seat 800 people at one time. History records that Walter and Cordelia Knott began by selling fresh berries and rhubarb from a small stand (that’s still on the property today), expanding to where it is today to have lots of wonderful varieties of foods and great rides for seasoned riders and the younger set. This year marks 75-years of Ghost Town, with the Ghost Rider ride having also been refurbished to be a smoother ride once again. Saturday, Miss Buena Park and her Court members were guests of Knott’s Berry Farm, snapping pictures throughout the park to remember the memorable day. Miss Buena Park is sponsored by Soroptimist International of Buena Park with one of the Soroptimists rotating chairmanship of the Miss Buena Park program; this year it’s headed up by Mary Sutherland. “It’s an honor to work with the wonderful girls who run for Miss Buena Park,” said Sutherland. “Their community involvement through different programs within the City is a journey the girls will hold dear for a life-time. So, to be part of a mentoring program that helps the girls succeed in their community is very rewarding not only for me but for Soroptimist International of Buena Park,” Sutherland said. The young ladies were asked what being Miss Buena Park and being in the Court meant to them. Miss Buena Park April Ortega expressed that being Miss Buena Park for her means, “Being able to proudly represent my city as well as getting to know the people in it. I’ve been a Buena Park Police Explorer for three years and proudly carry the Buena Park badge on my uniform. I currently attend Kennedy High School and am involved in Cheer; with all of my extracurricular activities, I always make time to represent my city,” said Ortega. Princess Bayley Saenz said being part of the miss Buena Park program has allowed her to meet new people and understand more about her community. “I have a heart for missions and the different programs that Soroptimist is a part of, which has allowed me to turn my backyard into a missions field. I’ve loved getting to know the ladies of Soroptimist, the Miss Buena Park Court, and most of all, the children in the community. I love this program so much and I hope to be part of it next year too. I’m part of swim and water polo for my high school, and part of a leadership program at my church. I love all sports and during my free time I hike, swim, run, and work out, and mostly hang out with friends. I love to socialize with everyone and I love meeting new people,” said Saenz. Princess Jennifer-Rose Hartman, said she plans to try out for the 2017 Miss Buena Park Court. “Being part of this organization has been such an amazing experience. I’ve developed new learning and communication skills from all of the community service opportunities. I’ve also taken on some new leadership roles as well and learned new things about our beautiful city, becoming extremely involved throughout the community. I love spending time with all of the girls during our events and also being with them on my free time. My favorite thing about being part of the Miss Buena Park Court are the opportunities I’ve been able to receive and the skills I’ve learned. Coming into to this program, I was very shy and kept to myself and so it’s helped me immensely to come out of comfort zone,” said Hartman. “At school I’ve taken part in numerous sport teams and events throughout the school year. I’m also involved with the News and Video Production team and am the publicist for the Christian Club at Western High School for the 2015/2016 school year and an active member in Key Club,” Harman continued. Princess Karla Zincelbach said for her, being part of Miss Buena Park is having the drive and dedication to be part of and representing her community. “I’m involved at church as a youth group leader and also involved at school as the secretary of the Writing Center. Also, I have a job as a lifeguard at William Peak Park, where I will be working over the summer. I’m so glad the ladies of Soroptimist have given me the opportunity to represent my community as a Miss Buena Park Princess,” said Zincelbach. Princess Natalia Giraud said the Miss Buena Park program is a great opportunity for girls to attain or perfect their leadership and people skills. “Miss Buena Park means to be a leader and a representative of the City. It’s been a wonderful experience working with Miss Buena Park Court in all the community service projects. It would be a great experience for any young lady,” said Giraud. Soroptimists will be visiting local schools in the area over the next few weeks, seeking young ladies who would like to participate in the 2017 Miss Buena Park program. Miss Buena Park and the Soroptimists will be serving up a pancake breakfast during the annual Memorial Day ceremony, in conjunction with the City, Monday, May 30, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 am., followed by the program headed up this year by the Buena Park Elks Lodge at 10 a.m. in Bellis Park, 7171 8th Street, in Buena Park. Other milestones Knott’s has reached include the Berry Stand that opened in 1927 is now 89 years old; the Chicken Restaurant opened in 1935 and is 81 years old. In 1937, a new dining room was opened that would seat 600 people and is celebrating its 79th year. In 1946, 70 years ago, 1 million dinners were served a year.
