Boathouse Grill Renamed Cotton Blossom BBQ
Chris Foshee
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In August, we announced that Worlds of Fun will be debuting a brand-new dining location in the spring of 2019, Boathouse Grill. Since making that announcement, we have decided to rename Boathouse Grill to Cotton Blossom BBQ – a name that better suits the park’s identity and the building’s location.
All other details for the project remain the same. Boathouse Grill Cotton Blossom BBQ will still become the largest dining location in the park at 9,036 square-feet with accommodations for up to 316 guests. The menu will still feature authentic Kansas City BBQ, rotisserie chicken, homestyle sides and a selection of healthier items. The name is all that will change from our initial announcement.
Why Cotton Blossom BBQ?
The sentiment surrounding Boathouse Grill was to pay homage to the three iconic boats that were once featured in the early days at Worlds of Fun – Henrietta, Victrix and Cotton Blossom. The sentiment remains, but choosing the Cotton Blossom specifically allows us to hone in on more specific theming – theming that has “blossomed” since the building’s original conception.
Investments and added attention to theming will continue throughout the park as our team works to enhance the journey through Worlds of Fun. We are a Kansas City original reimagined for today, and Cotton Blossom BBQ is just the beginning.
History of the Cotton Blossom
In 1971, Lamar Hunt, founder of Worlds of Fun, sent his business partner Jack Stedman to an MGM Backlot Auction to find props and theming for the park. Stedman returned with several pieces of cinematic history, including the Cotton Blossom sternwheel paddleboat used in the 1951 film Showboat.
The Cotton Blossom was home to Worlds of Fun’s grand opening ceremony on May 26, 1973. It originally housed the Paddle Wheel Café and served as a gift shop and entertainment venue until 1995. Cotton Blossom BBQ will pay tribute by incorporating several aesthetics and highlights from the park’s history.
Construction is underway for Cotton Blossom BBQ, and it is on pace to open early this spring. The facility will feature porch-style seating and a patio with picturesque views of Americana, including Patriot and SteelHawk. Follow us on your favorite social media channel for more construction updates.
Serving as our new flagship dining location, Cotton Blossom BBQ is just one of the many dining enhancements being introduced for the 2019 season. Be sure to stay tuned to the "Words of Fun Blog" for more information, including the details on four new dining concepts.