Cedar Fair comments on merger transaction

Company makes statement in response to the announcement issued by Q Funding III, L.P.

Friday, 22 January 2010

Cedar Fair Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio, January 22, 2010 – Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, today made the following statement in response to the announcement issued today by Q Funding III, L.P.:
 
The independent members of the Cedar Fair Board of Directors undertook a lengthy and thorough process to evaluate all options to address the Company’s capital structure and best serve the interests of our unitholders. After carefully weighing numerous alternatives and the outlook for the business, the Board determined, and continues to believe, that the proposed acquisition of Cedar Fair is the best option to maximize value for all unitholders. This transaction was thoroughly negotiated and includes protections for unitholders, including a go-shop process in which the Company has been actively soliciting alternative proposals. The offer price of $11.50 in cash per Cedar Fair limited partnership unit represents a 43% premium over Cedar Fair's volume weighted average closing unit price over the 30 days prior to the transaction announcement and a 28% premium over the closing unit price on December 15, 2009. This valuation also exceeds those of the recent comparable transactions in our industry.
 
We always welcome the views of our unitholders with the shared goal of enhancing value. Q Funding has not contacted us about the merger or the Company’s prospects.
 
We look forward to having the opportunity to speak with our unitholders regarding the merits of this transaction. We urge all unitholders to carefully review the Company’s definitive proxy materials when mailed before making a decision about how to vote.
 
About Cedar Fair
Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, and one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. The Company owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels. Amusement parks in the Company's northern region include two in Ohio: Cedar Point, consistently voted "Best Amusement Park in the World" in Amusement Today polls and Kings Island; as well as Canada's Wonderland, near Toronto; Dorney Park, PA; Valleyfair, MN; and Michigan's Adventure, MI. In the southern region are Kings Dominion, VA; Carowinds, NC; and Worlds of Fun, MO. Western parks in California include: Knott's Berry Farm; California's Great America; and Gilroy Gardens, which is managed under contract.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this news release (including information included or incorporated by reference herein) may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements as to the Company's expectations, beliefs and strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements may involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, may be beyond the Company's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors could adversely affect the Company's future financial performance and cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations, including uncertainties associated with the proposed sale of the Company to an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, the anticipated timing of filings and approvals relating to the transaction, the expected timing of completion of the transaction, the ability of third parties to fulfill their obligations relating to the proposed transaction, the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions to closing of the merger agreement to complete the transaction and the risk factors discussed from time to time by the Company in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Additional information on risk factors that may affect the business and financial results of the Company can be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the filings of the Company made from time to time with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
Additional Information About This Transaction
This news release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed transaction. In connection with the proposed transaction, on January 8, 2010 the Company filed with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A. In addition, the Company will file with, or furnish, to the SEC all relevant materials, including a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH OR FURNISHED TO THE SEC, INCLUDING THE COMPANY'S PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT AND, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. The definitive proxy statement (when available) will be mailed to unitholders of the Company. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain a copy of the preliminary proxy statement, definitive proxy statement (when available) and other documents filed by the Company free of charge from the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company's unitholders will also be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the preliminary proxy statement, definitive proxy statement (when available) and other relevant documents by directing a request by mail or telephone to Investor Relations, Cedar Fair, L.P., One Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky, OH 44870, telephone: (419) 627-2233, or from the Company's website, www.cedarfair.com or by contacting MacKenzie Partners, Inc., by toll-free telephone at 800-322-2885 or by e-mail at proxy@mackenziepartners.com.
 
The Company and its directors and executive officers and certain other members of its management and employees may be deemed to participate in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants is included in the preliminary proxy statement and will be included in the definitive proxy statement when it becomes available.