originally posted on 10/2/2020
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
After a sad spring and summer of no group activity, the ACE New Jersey region at last held its first event of 2020. The tiny state with the big loud mouth and so many fun-loving ACE members was hit particularly hard by the pandemic and has spent many months in isolation and recovery; nobody was sure how participation would be affected on September 13. To the happy surprise of all, 76 members and guests showed up to Casino Pier (Seaside Heights, New Jersey), a record number for this event that’s marked the end of every summer in New Jersey since 2012.
It was an energetic and spirited group who arrived on the famed seaside boardwalk on that Sunday morning — perhaps owing to deprivation, or maybe because this was the first Seaside Hangover held by itself, without the insanely raucous 15-hour Riding of the Bull event at Six Flags Great Adventure the day before. Young and old, they came from near and far — from just over the bridge in Toms River, to as far away as Rhode Island. Also in attendance was Six Flags’ special events manager Dory Oswald and her family, who in any other year on this day would be recovering from the aforementioned “Bull” event.
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ERT was on all three coasters at the park.
Photos: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
The morning unfolded, as ever, with an hour of pre-opening ERT on the pier’s three coasters, Pirates’ Hideaway, Hot Tamales and Hydrus. Finishing its fourth season on Casino Pier, Hydrus’ colorful profile of bright green steel curves against a sparkling blue sky is now a familiar visual landmark. Combined with the pier itself reconfigured to two blocks wide along the boardwalk, the reality of the future has settled in nicely … stuff happens, things change, life goes on, often better than before.
Hot Tamales.
Photo: Bret Ulozas. View full-sized image.
Even under the uneasy situation of masked faces and distanced bodies, this beautifully warm day was precisely the medicine everyone needed. At opening time, attendees spread out to take on all the rides, go karts, Smugglers’ Quay Adventure Golf and the boardwalk Sky Ride — all included in the generous event package. Those venturing outward along the boardwalk noted progress with the continuing rebuild of the south end following the 2013 fire and the site preparation for the new Carousel building to the north. (The 110-year-old Carousel has been removed from the Casino Pier Arcade, its home since 1932; it is now in pieces and undergoing restoration in preparation for the move to its new home.)
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Photos: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
There was no group photo taken, considering the social distancing circumstances, though opportunities for gorgeous captures of the seaside scenery were everywhere, particularly the cluster of kites flying over the beach. Their message was distinct: keep flying high, stick together, and stay beautiful. This day was a gift, as is every day, and attendees were thankful for everyone and everything that made it possible — especially for Debbie Karu, Casino Pier’s operations director and dear friend to the New Jersey region. We appreciate all who attended and support ACE, and we’re grateful for every chance to know the joy of being a family of friends again.
— Mark Davidson, ACE New Jersey Assistant Regional Representative
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
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