The announcement ends years of uncertainty about the 50-year-old attraction, which opened in 1976 as part of the nation's bicentennial celebration. Park manager Dave Vosejpka said the farewell season is meant to give Bay Area residents a chance to say goodbye.

"For more than five decades, this Santa Clara theme park has brought people together, created family traditions and served as the backdrop for unforgettable memories," Vosejpka said in a statement. "The Farewell Season is an opportunity for generations of Bay Area guests to return, spend time with family and friends, and revisit the attractions and traditions that have made the park in Santa Clara, California such a meaningful part of the community."

The park's future has been in limbo since 2022, when then-owner Cedar Fair sold the land beneath Great America—though not the park itself—to real estate developer Prologis. Under that deal, the park's land lease was set to expire in 2028, with an option for a five-year renewal that could have kept it operating for up to 11 more years.

But the following year, Cedar Fair merged with Six Flags, and the combined company has since been closing and selling off less profitable parks. Last year, Great America shortened its season and cut back offerings, and Six Flags officials later signaled that an extension was unlikely.

Six Flags said it has not yet decided what will happen to the park's rides and attractions. "Relocation to another Six Flags park or sale to another operator are among the options," the company said.

The closure marks the end of an era for a park that has been a fixture of Santa Clara's landscape and a regional destination for school field trips, first roller coaster rides and summer jobs. For local residents, the farewell season offers a final chance to visit before the gates close for good.