originally posted on 4/10/2019
CoasterBash! is all about western Pennsylvania’s parks, coasters and personalities — past, present and future. Again held at Salvatore’s in Pittsburgh on March 2, CoasterBash! XXX brought 203 attendees together for an afternoon and evening of appreciating a rich history and looking forward to the newest for 2019. After checking in and choosing a superhero cape (courtesy of Jeff Filicko from Six Flags Fiesta Texas), attendees had two hours of social time to buy goodies from the bake sale (thanks, Mike Matscherz, and volunteers), peruse the vendors and auction tables, chat with friends, vote in the photo contest and pick up free popcorn before sitting down for the 4 p.m. start.
CoasterBash! began with Summer Flashback 2018 ― a video review of the previous year’s regional events, by Joel Brewton ― and was followed by Ken Simmons’ New Coasters of 2018, an annual review shown for the 25th year at the event.
Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III then welcomed everyone, recognized national and regional volunteers in attendance and provided updates on the Frederick Ingersoll and Luna Park historical marker, for which the region had raised funds at last year’s CoasterBash! Additional monies were needed, so Linkenheimer announced that the first $400 raised this year would be earmarked for the marker. He also reported that Lakemont Park in Altoona is scheduled to reopen on May 25 with Leap the Dips, Skyliner and Little Leaper included in the ride lineup.
Linkenheimer then introduced Robert Ulrich from Tennessee — “the first ACE president to drive more than two hours to get to CoasterBash!” — who discussed ACE’s new website, ACE’s upcoming national events and the 2019 Coasting for Kids events to benefit Give Kids The World.
Steve Gorman and Andrew Felice from Waldameer & Water World in Erie were the first presenters and began with a review of 2018 (including some funny stories) plus a reminder that the park tries to open something new every year. 2019 is no exception. Chaos, a Zamperla Midi Discovery 360, will be the first ride in the modern history of Waldameer to go upside down. New in the waterpark will be a giant “heated relaxing pool” that will hold more than 100 people. Looking ahead to 2020, Gorman reported that the two “lamest” water slides will be replaced by a six-lane ProSlide RallyRacer.
Andrew Felice and Steve Gorman from Waldameer & Water World.
Photo: Joel Brewton. View full-sized image.
A first-time presenter at CoasterBash! was Pete Barto of S&S Worldwide, whose headquarters are in Utah and whose latest local project is Kennywood’s The Steel Curtain, which will open in the new Steeler Country section of the park in 2019. After reviewing the S&S ride lineup, Barto announced that 2018 had been the company’s most successful year – a year in which the parent company, S&S Sensai Technologies, bought Vekoma. In discussing how the company approaches product development, Barto used work on The Steel Curtain as an example.
Pete Barto, S&S.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Familiar faces Jim Becker and Lenny Adams reported from Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake (Pennsylvania) and thanked ACE for its $7,000 donation for Blue Streak’s new wheels. The best news is that the park hopes to be out of bankruptcy by 2020 and attendance and the sale of wristbands were up in 2018. Tumble Bug will be ready for the 2019 opening, and Blue Streak will benefit from track work plus a repaired tunnel. For the first time in many years, there will be a new ride – two, in fact – a 12-seat Eli Bridge Cable Drive HY-5 Ferris wheel and a mini Ferris wheel for Kiddieland. Other good news is an expanded gift shop inventory, new lockers for the waterpark, the Camperland expansion, new boat slips at the marina and no increase in the price of season passes. Stay tuned for a big announcement close to opening day!
Lenny Adams and Jim Becker, Conneaut Lake Park.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Although there was no official “history” speaker this year, CoasterBash! welcomed Pittsburgh’s unofficial historian Rick Sebak, who produced “Kennywood Memories” for WQED in 1988. From the hundreds of hours of footage shot for the original program, “That Kennywood Summer” was shown recently as part of Sebak’s Nebby series on the PBS station. For a CoasterBash! exclusive, Sebak showed the first 15 minutes of “Don’t Stand Up,” the third segment using the 1988 footage. Sebak’s introduction to “Don’t Stand Up”: “Remain in your seat with your seatbelt fastened until the program comes to a complete stop.” At the end of the video, Charles Jacques, historian and amusement park author who also appeared in Sebak’s footage, briefly addressed attendees.
Rick Sebak, WQED.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
After door prizes and a delicious buffet dinner (with an anniversary cake for dessert), presentations began again with Nick Paradise from Kennywood in West Mifflin. The big news, of course, is The Steel Curtain, and Paradise showed a video of progress so far, listed the food options for the new End Zone Café (pierogis! beer!) and announced the construction of new pavilions and the debut of a new four-park season pass (Kennywood, Idlewild, Sandcastle and Dutch Wonderland). Big anniversaries being celebrated this year: Whip (1919) and Paratrooper (1959). Parking lot D will be the location for the Kennywood, Braddock’s Crossing and Ingersoll state historical markers. Kennywood’s Coasting for Kids event will take place on September 1.
Kenny Kangaroo appeared and helped Paradise present The Golden Kenny, an award to a regional member for enthusiasm for and support of Kennywood and ACE Western Pennsylvania. That description certainly fits Roseanne Nyczaj, this year’s winner.
Nick Paradise and Kenny Kangaroo present the Golden Kenny to Roseanne Nyczaj.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Dan Schultz of the world-renowned Cincinnati-based design firm JRA (formerly Jack Rouse Associates) was not only presenting at Coaster Bash! for the first time, but was also addressing an ACE audience for the first time. JRA is responsible for the design process for Steeler Country and The Steel Curtain. In addition to discussing that, Schultz gave a lot of background about JRA’s extensive portfolio in the amusement industry and far beyond.
Dan Schultz, JRA.
Photo: Joel Brewton. View full-sized image.
Assistant Regional Rep (and past ACE president) Dave Altman gave an informative presentation on the parks of Hong Kong, which he and his wife, Maggie, visited before ACE’s East Meets ACE trip to Japan in 2018.
And the photo contest? Director Jason Ballard announced the winners: Tim Galvelis won first and third places and Michael Burkes second. Congratulations!
Photo Contest Winners Tim Galvelis and Michael Burkes with Director Jason Ballard.
Photo: Joel Brewton. View full-sized image.
Janine Rebbie Matscherz of Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. of Hatfield reviewed the company’s offseason work for Cedar Point, Six Flags America, Kemah Boardwalk and other parks and updated everyone on what her father, CEO Tom Rebbie, has been up to. Especially amusing was the video of him distributing employee paychecks in a motorized bumper car!
Janine Rebbie Matscherz, Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
And now from Texas! Jeff Filicko announced that Fiesta Texas began 2019 with a new ride on New Year’s Eve: Pirates of the Deep Sea, a dark ride/gaming experience. 2019 will mark a “return to storytelling” for the San Antonio park. As examples of this, Filicko described theming for the new Joker: Carnival of Chaos, the world’s largest pendulum ride, as well as the new-for-2019 DC Universe, a section of the park that will include the new Joker and some of the park’s DC-themed coasters and attractions (Wave Swinger will morph into DC Super-Villain Swing). Five new shows are planned as well as improvements in the waterpark.
Jeff Filicko, Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Making his 18th presentation at CoasterBash! was the inimitable Jeff Croushore, representing Idlewild and SoakZone in Ligonier, who danced into the room wearing a Riddler costume. Beginning his presentation with a riddle, Croushore went on to review 2018 and then share Idlewild’s 2019 news. The popular Round Up is returning, and there will be new kiddie handcars. The serpentine slides are getting a paint job, and Character Days and Oktoberfest will return. Croushore also explained the park’s new emphasis on attracting better employees so that guests will have a better experience.
Jeff Croushore, Idlewild and SoakZone.
Photo: Joel Brewton. View full-sized image.
After paying tribute to all the volunteers and announcing the auction and raffle winners, Linkenheimer shared that Kennywood is donating a Log Jammer boat that will be auctioned off during KennyKon on July 20. Totals for all auctions and the bake sale came to a whopping $3,834.50, with distributions to the ACE Preservation and Archives funds and the Ingersoll marker. Another successful CoasterBash! thanks to the awesome presenters, the ACE Western Pennsylvania regional rep team and all the volunteers.
— Lee Ann Draud
ACE publications director
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