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Busch Gardens Marks Its 50th Year In Tampa

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TBO.com

Published: March 30, 2009

The same year Barbie made her store-shelf debut and the Twilight Zone premiered on television sets, another icon in American entertainment opened its doors.

On March 31, 1959 August A. Busch Jr. dedicated Busch Gardens in Tampa.

50 years later, the park is marking its anniversary with a commemorative display for all the visitors who want to take a stroll down memory lane.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio made her own contribution today to the park's memory wall by adding a 35-year-old picture of herself.

In 1974, Iorio started her first day of work at the park's Zagora Café. She presented the photo to Busch Gardens staff this morning as the final piece of memorabilia to complete the exhibit.

The memory wall also features hundreds of items including photos that highlight every major event and attraction such as seats from the Python rollercoaster and costumes from the park's stage shows.

"Busch Gardens is proud to be a longtime member of the Tampa Bay community," said general manager Donnie Mills in a release.

The exhibit is open during regular park hours and located near the Crown Colony Restaurant and the Clydesdale Hamlet. Entrance to the commemorative display is included in park admission.

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