originally posted on 1/22/2021
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
It was a time of anniversaries.
Long before Winterfest became a holiday event in the Cedar Fair chain of parks, ACE members in North Texas were finding an opportunity each winter to gather together in the off season. Forty years ago, the gathering took place in the home of one of the members. The event didn’t have a name at that time. In the 1990s, it was given a more official name, Winterfest, as it started taking place in bigger venues. Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington) management had joined the regional members in those early days, but more parks came to town to make presentations. Before long, the event evolved into one that moved from city to city and park to park. This year, with the 40th anniversary of the regional gathering, it was appropriate to hold the event at Six Flags Over Texas, which is celebrating an anniversary of its own — the 60th — this season.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Fire & Ice characters welcomed attendees.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Approximately 120 people socially distanced inside the park’s Southern Palace theater on January 9. Attendees came from the far ends of the country, from Washington to Florida and places in between. Right on cue, the weather had a chill in the air but was still sunny enough to make it a pleasant day. As participants walked to the venue prior to the park officially opening, they were greeted by costumed characters dressed for the park’s new Fire & Ice Festival.
Winterfest is a big favorite for ACE South Central. This year may have had fewer hugs owing to the health crisis, but the hospitality shown by the park and the graciousness of presenters made for a fantastic day.
The first presenter was new Six Flags Over Texas Park President Ron McKenzie. A more genuine welcome could not have been given. McKenzie is doing invigorating things to the park in his first few months, the festival being one of them. McKenzie teased at perks happening later in the day and happenings under development for the anniversary season. He also explained the changes in progress to the upcoming Aquaman Power Wave.
Park President Ron McKenzie
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
Other park presenters included Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Alabama Splash Adventure and Frontier City.
Chris Ozimek and Jeff Filicko spoke on the upcoming changes to Fiesta Texas’ Mardi Gras event, including a new voodoo-themed haunt. Of course, the park also boasted of the first ride in 2021, Dare Devil Dive Flying Machines, which opened at midnight New Year’s Eve. The presenters also surprised the audience with news of a multiday, park-sponsored enthusiast event in June called Roller Coaster Rodeo (June 11 – 13).
Fiesta Texas’ Chris Ozimek and Jeff Filicko
Photos: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
Alabama Splash Adventure (Bessemer) got props for having the most humorous presentation with General Manager Michael Schwitek poking fun at the challenges of 2020 with a re-do of Twenty-One Pilots’ song “Stressed Out” themed to socially distanced “Spaced Out.”
Video: Courtesy Alabama Splash Adventure
He, along with presenters Alex Ramsey and Dana Schwitek, shared a view of an area of the park that will hopefully see a new coaster in the near future, but surviving a pandemic will dictate how quickly that project can take place. In the meantime, the park continues to grow with a waterpark addition this year.
Alabama Adventure had an entertaining presentation.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
Andrew Miller spoke on behalf of Frontier City — on his last day! — before returning to Six Flags Over Texas.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
Frontier City’s (Oklahoma City) presenter, Andrew Miller, was interesting, as it was his final task representing the park before returning to his roots at Six Flags Over Texas to step into the role of operations manager. He fielded a couple questions from the audience, including one about the potential return of the splash effect on Wildcat’s final stretch of track. The answer? It’s in the plans.
Although an annual event, it never fails to surprise attendees that first-time presenters make an appearance at Winterfest. Two graced the 2021 version.
Matt Hughey, ACE member and former ops manager at Six Flags Over Texas, spoke for Circuit of the Americas and COTALAND (Austin). This world-renowned racetrack continues to diversify itself, now with a small amusement park. Hughey helped educate the audience on this developing project as a kiddie park — already with a small coaster — with hopes that it can grow into a larger theme park. He teased he was living an ACEer’s dream of starting an amusement park spending a billionaire’s money.
Matt Hughey updated the audience of new rides being proposed for the new COTALAND.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
Riversport OKC’s Stephen Ball
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
Stephen Ball explained the unique property that is Riversport OKC (Oklahoma City). This growing facility is part training center, part attraction. Amusement industry attractions such as a FlowRider, ropes course and the country’s largest Weigand sky slides join various rowing, kayaking and whitewater rapid activities on the Oklahoma River. Ball announced that in just the previous week Riversport was confirmed to host one of the water events for the 2020/2021 Summer Olympic events — halfway around the world from Japan. A snow skiing simulator will also open this season.
Restrictions dictated Schlitterbahn and SeaWorld San Antonio send video presentations.
Photos: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Because of travel restrictions or other matters, a few presenters were represented via video. Schlitterbahn (New Braunfels and Galveston) spotlighted its impressive aesthetic upgrades. SeaWorld San Antonio recapped the previous year and hinted at a new attraction underway. The sea life park has now gone year-round in its weekend operations. The Donhauser family from ZDTs was forced to remain in Seguin at the last minute but provided some late news and shared a music video that was filmed at the park. Knoebels also sent a video from Elysburg, Pennsylvania, to welcome ACEers. Hopefully everyone will be seeing the Knoebel family at Coaster Con this June.
Two ACE members were presenters as well. Kris Rowberry gave an update on the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA) facility in Plainview, Texas. For most people, it was a first time look at the massive progress happening at the property. Rowberry intrigued attendees with all sorts of Easter eggs being built into the museum — you know, the type of things that ACEers can geek out on. The biannual West Texas Roundup should intrigue even more visitors this summer to see what is being accomplished by the NRCMA up close.
Kris Rowberry spoke on behalf of NRCMA.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
ACE Editor Tim Baldwin scored a perk for attendees to be the first ever audience to get a peek at the Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) video being produced by Coaster Studios. New Texas Giant was RMC’s first coaster project, and the documentary clip whetted the appetites of ACEers to see the final version scheduled to be completed later in 2021.
Other moments of the day included a game show during which all attendees could play right from their seats. Little by little, the audience dwindled down to three final contestants. Bryant Yeager, Madonna Horcher and Xander Lee provided a tense competition, with Lee claiming victory.
A game show hosted by ACE News Editor Tim Baldwin allowed everyone to play.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Presenters gathered for a group photo.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
As with any event, food was a part of it. Here, Six Flags knocked it out of the park. Each individual was handed a sheet tray of numerous food items jazzed up for the event. Yes, a sheet tray. As if that wasn’t enough food for four days, employees walked around the private venue with pecan pie and ice cream. Later that evening, light snacks were provided with complimentary Fire & Ice Festival drinks.
An auction of some donated key items brought in $670 in donations, and a private donor gave $500 to be split between the NRCMA and the ACE Preservation Fund.
Between the close of the event in the theater and the evening reception, ACEers amassed a large collection of giveaways from presenters as well as door prize items. It was a haul. Attendees were quite appreciative of the tickets, perks, plush and more from Six Flags, Kemah Boardwalk, Fiesta Texas, ZDTs, Alabama Splash Adventure, COTA, NRCMA and Schlitterbahn.
Swag!
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Food and drink were plentiful throughout the day.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
But evening brought even more. One of the coolest had-to-be-there perks was a rare opportunity to walk through the historic dark ride built in the 1960s as Spee-lunker’s Cave and later Yosemite Sam’s Gold River Adventure. The ride was damaged in a devastating flood in 2018. Attendees enjoyed a real treat of walking the trough of the float-through water ride. Because of the Time Warner IP within, photos were not permitted. This tour was a major hit and a cherished perk.
A fantastic perk was the opportunity to walk through the park’s historic float-through dark ride.
Photos: Tim Baldwin & S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.
The evening was topped off with fireworks shot from the tower, followed by ERT on Titan and New Texas Giant and more. It was a jam-packed day filled with a little bit of everything. It’s astonishing how much the small gathering 40 years ago has evolved into one of the region’s signature events.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
ERT made for chilly rides on New Texas Giant.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Although Texas parks no longer really have an “off-season,” the core to Winterfest remains the same: members enjoy the opportunity to get together.
ACE South Central appreciates Six Flags, McKenzie and his various team members for being extraordinary Winterfest hosts.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
ERT also included Titan and the park’s Scrambler.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Grayson Knutson enjoyed seeing the park’s train up close, a favorite moment of his during ERT.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
@#$%&!
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