originally posted on 12/18/2020
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Always remember, an ACE event is an ACE event, whether for six or 600. ACE New Jersey’s latest regional gathering was right between those two — somewhat closer to the former — as a total of 20 enthusiastic souls who were full of holiday spirit and could score an early out on a December 4 Friday afternoon arrived at Storybook Land.
The 65-year-old family theme park in Egg Harbor Township has become famous for its magical Christmastime transformation into a wonderland of lights that are counted in the millions. The park has also been the recipient of countless awards from its community, regional business associations and the amusement industry. Storybook Land is about to gain another massive helping of national fame when it’s featured in “The Great Christmas Light Fight” on ABC-TV, but more on that later.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
ACE New Jersey would like to think its members had a small part in putting the park on the map, at least for enthusiasts, but the relationship is mutually supportive and has been since the first holiday ACE event here in 2009, repeated every December since and topped off with a Coaster Con visit in June 2015. Even in the face of all the challenges of 2020, there was no way the 12th annual “A Christmas Story”book Land event wasn’t going to happen. Every year ends for the New Jersey region with this event, although it was the last of only two gatherings this year.
Because of the park’s reserved attendance and strict capacity limits during the pandemic, it wouldn’t be appropriate for (mostly grown-up) ACE folk to occupy precious space in the park on a weekend that rightly belongs to families with children, especially at a generous ACE discount; so the best solution was a late-afternoon-to-evening event. Indeed, the scheduling is likely the cause of the lowest attendance for this event in its history. Distancing rules also prevented a group photo or, sadly, a meetup with management. No matter, pre-opening ERT was held on Bubbles the Coaster, Tick Tock Clock Drop, and a few other favorites that just happened to start up early. As always, Santa Claus popped out of his chimney at 5 pm to wave his magic wand and light all the lights of Storybook Land, which never fails to create a moment of true enchantment.
Bubbles the Socially Distanced Coaster.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Gingerbread family standing in for ACE group photo.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
The group of ACE members, small as it was, included reliable regulars along with a few first-timers and the inevitable handful who hadn’t visited the park in years, or even decades. It’s never tiresome to hear again and again: “I forgot how much fun this place is!” Attendees appreciated the friends at Storybook Land, particularly Jessica Panetta, third-generation owner of the founding Fricano family, and Operations Director Bill Melfi, for all the fun and friendship and for never letting members down, even in these troubled times.
Taking a spin on the Old Tymers.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
For the rest stuck at home, don’t miss Storybook Land’s time to sparkle as one of the “heavyweights” on “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” While the show was recorded a year ago at Christmastime, some preview scenes have leaked. If you look closely as Jessica introduces brother JJ, dad John and Aunt JoAnne, you may spot an ACE New Jersey regional rep or two in the crowd. The show aired Wednesday, December 16, 2020, but seek it out online if possible.
— Mark Davidson
ACE New Jersey Assistant Regional Representative
@#$%&!
#ACENews