Use to be that Family Day at IBM was a big free carnival on site with a giant ferris wheel, games, kid and adult rides, building tours and such - more food than a glutton could consume. They would always have local musical entertainment through out the day and have a concert with someone (i.e. some rudely say - hasbeen) formerly famous, but still was good time and good show following by a spectacular fireworks display. It was strickly for 'immediate Family' and you had to be creative to sneak in an extra relative or kid...
When times got hard in the Dot.Com bust, Family Day ceased to exist. They said it would be biennial or every 5 years, but that has not happened - at least in the old form. IBM actually sold off half the property in Austin (where the carnival was held). It has evolved into 'field trips' to Fiesta Texas Six Flags in San Antonio or this year it is Sea World. You pay a reduced rate to get in, but this year you can get 6 tickets no questions asked.... so the sneaking in visiting relatives has gotten easier :-)
We haven't gone in the past cause, first we had season tickets to Fiesta Texas when the kids were younger, then there were other reasons others years. But this year we are going to Sea World and bringing two extra guests - not having to sneak them in. Yippee! Hope it doesn't rain....
yet I still miss the old local carnival atmosphere at the IBM Century Oaks Park...progress.
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