originally posted on 9/11/2020 12:29:14 PM
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
In honor of Gary Baker’s contributions to Lakemont Park and his support for preservation, former Lakemont Park General Manager Barry Kumpf created Gary Baker Memorial Day (GBMD) shortly after Gary’s untimely death in 2009. Gary was a man of many talents — a former ACE events director and ACE Western Pennsylvania regional rep as well as a professional mini-golf player — and a strong supporter of traditional parks. What better place to honor Gary’s interest in preservation and his love of mini golf than this small Altoona, Pennsylvania, park, home of Leap The Dips (the oldest roller coaster in the world) and two outstanding mini-golf courses.
GBMD has always been an informal event with an optional schedule but no required registration. Sunday, August 16, was the day after KennyKon XXXI at Kennywood, and 39 known attendees appeared to honor Gary and to check out the park’s offerings. Lakemont generously offered ACE members and their guests an All-Day Unlimited Ride & Play Pass for only $15.95 plus tax. Each person purchasing a pass received a coupon for $2 off a food purchase of $10 or more at Lakeside Cafe. It was a hot, sunny/overcast day, but it never rained!
Returning fans and first-timers had the opportunity to enjoy Leap The Dips.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Although Lakemont was open in 2019, Leap The Dips was not, and some GBMD attendees had never ridden it. This 118-year-old figure eight, side friction coaster designed by Edward Joy Morris had been standing but not operating since 2017 and over the past two years had received extensive work to the structure and track in preparation for its reopening. In the station is a large “thank you” sign from Lakemont to ACE for its donation of $10,000 from the Preservation Fund for ongoing maintenance of Leap The Dips (read more about Lakemont and Leap The Dips in the August 21 ACE News).
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
Informal takeover times were scheduled on Skyliner, the John Allen-designed double-out-and-back wood coaster relocated from Roseland Park in New York; the Motorway Go-Karts; Tin Lizzie Antique Cars; and C.P. Huntington Train. Attendees were encouraged to ride Leap The Dips at their leisure throughout the day because the coaster only operates one car at a time, and lines can get long. The all-day wristband included all attractions, so attendees had time for plenty of rides.
Skyliner.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Lakemont’s two mini-golf courses — the artist-created Rabbit Hole and the challenging Keystone Falls — are appealing and fun, and participants in the mini-golf tournament had to play both courses to be eligible to win. After the scores were summed up, two participants tied for first: Bill Linkenheimer III and Dan Zunko.
Bill Linkenheimer takes on one of the park’s challenging courses.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Lakemont has always been a place to relax, ride, eat and play. Gary Baker loved Lakemont for these and many other reasons, so it’s always a pleasure to honor him there.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
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