VALDOSTA — It has been just over two years since the Herschend Family Entertainment Group (HFE) acquired Wild Adventures Theme and Water Park from original owner Kent Buescher and a lot has changed.

Much of the new changes at the theme park can be seen by the public when it opens for the 2010 season on March 6.

According to a press release, HFE has invited $6 million to increase the quality and the value of the theme park. Those changes became apparent last year when the park revealed a $3 million renovation to Wild Adventures’ Splash Island water park which included the brand new Wahee Cyclone.

“(HFE has) been able to continually grow the park and maintain the family focus,” Micha Hogan, public relations coordinator for Wild Adventures, said. “It’s a family friendly environment, whether it’s the shows, concerts, animals or the rides, like the new three rides we’re bringing it. We’re just moving in that direction to offer those things.”

Among those changes are three new rides, eight new shows, 20 concerts and more.

According to Wild Adventures’ vice president and general manager, Bob Montgomery, the improvements to the theme park have been well received from the guests.

“Guests will see the park begin to transform as we add 400 trees, more landscaping and additional walkways for more shade, beauty and better park flow,” Montgomery said in a press release.

“(We are also) removing 350 tons of concrete,” Hogan said. “Adding the new trees, (we are) close to 450 right now, will make a huge difference in the park, cooling off the park (in the hot summer months) and making it more adventurous and exotic.”

The theme park is also installing a new water feature, much like the fountains at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park.

“It has 22 jets that will squirt water in all directions,” Hogan said. “It will be nice for families to stop through, cool off and provide a little entertainment that’s different than the rides.”

While the theme park doesn’t give out attendance numbers, the economy doesn’t seem to be slowing the park down.

“We are always thinking ahead and planning to add new things to the park,” Hogan said.

While there are three new rides opening this year, two of the new rides may be something the Valdosta community might enjoy for more than one reason.

Whirling Wildcats (a scrambler ride) and Viking Voyage (a five-story family coaster) are named after the local high school football teams.

“We’re really happy to pay honor to the local community because Wild Adventures is Valdosta’s homegrown park,” Hogan said. “We are able to put something into the park that reflects the community and their support with Wild Adventures.”

The third ride, Falcon Flyers, is a flying scooter ride which overlooks Wild Adventures’ central lake.

“(It’s) really cool because you can control where you fly,” Hogan said. “You can swing out and it’s more interactive.”

The Cheetah roller coaster has also undergone a million dollar vast renovation, preparing some parts of the track to make it a smoother ride.

Wild Adventures’ concert stage will be busy during the entire season, hosting more than 20 concerts from a wide variety of musicians.

Among the acts coming to Wild Adventures are country singers Josh Turner, Rodney Atkins, Billy Ray Cyrus and Wynonna Judd; classic rock groups Lynard Skynard, Chicago, REO Speedwagon and Styx; gospel and Christian artists Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, Tye Tribbett and Kirk Franklin; and rock star Vince Neil, the lead singer of Motley Crue.

“(We will have) a large array of concerts and entertainment,” Hogan said. “It falls in line with everything family friendly with country, rock, classic rock, gospel and Christian. Everybody requests and come out and supports (the artist) so we know everybody likes that kind of music.”

The concert amphitheater, which opened in May 2007 shortly before HFE became owners, is a long way from the original concert stage that hosted such acts as a young Kenny Chesney in the mid-90s when the theme park was still known as Liberty Farms.

“That’s one of the really cool things about Wild Adventures being a homegrown park,” Hogan said. “We hear stories about how the park has grown up, how it used to be and how it’s changed since then.”

The management at Wild Adventures also listens to guests about who they want to see in concert or at the park in general.

“Whether it’s on Facebook or Twitter or out and about in the community, they are vocal about what they want to see,” Hogan said.

Among the popular request from guests is one of the eight shows coming to the theme park again this year.

Aaron Radatz, who did a Vegas-style show last year at the park which included a special Fourth of July magic trick being dropped in the lake, will be back again due to popular request.

“It’s a totally new show,” Hogan said. “A lot of our guests loved him, especially seeing him thrown in the lake last year. It just mesmerized guests and we brought him back.”

There will also be a special July 3 appearance by Robbie Knievel, the son of legendary daredevil Evel Knievel. Knievel will attempt to leap over Wild Adventures’ lake, which was most recently featured, along with the theme park, in the Woody Harrelson movie, “Zombieland.”

Other shows include “Tigers of India” and “Doggies of the Wild West.”

“Bringing in new rides, concerts and shows really creates a big value to the park so (families) can enjoy more for a more affordable price,” Hogan said.