originally posted on 5/21/2021
ERT on Jack Rabbit!
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
After all the uncertainties and cancellations of 2020, could 2021 bring more surprises? How about CoasterBash! in May? State limitations on the size of indoor gatherings meant CoasterBash! was a no-go for March, its usual time slot, so some creative thinking had to be done quickly so that ACE Western Pennsylvania’s traditional midwinter event wouldn’t miss a year. Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III came up with a plan that Kennywood (West Mifflin, Pennsylvania) supported, so on May 1, CoasterBash! was held for the very first time outdoors at an amusement park. Attendance was limited to 150 and therefore was restricted to ACE members only. Attendance reached 148.
The CoasterBash! registration team with an extra helper from Texas — Jeff Filicko!
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Kennywood was busy training employees and getting ready for the park’s official opening on May 8 but generously offered ACE four pavilions for the event to allow for social distancing and health and safety requirements. Kennywood also offered another first for CoasterBash!: an hour of ERT on a roller coaster, in this case, the 101-year-old ACE Coaster Classic and ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Jack Rabbit.
Although CoasterBash! both started and ended earlier (1 to 9 p.m.) than usual because of the park venue, and activities were spread out over four adjacent pavilions — one for the presentations, one for sales and auction tables and two with picnic tables for sitting and eating — the schedule began, as usual, with social time. During this “socially distant social time” attendees greeted friends, perused the ACE Preservation Fund Sales Table, voted in the photo contest, bought raffle and Chinese auction tickets, assessed the silent auction items and arranged chairs in “pod” groups in the presentation pavilion.
The Preservation Fund Sales table was very busy.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
At 2 p.m. Joel Brewton-Riling’s “Summer Flashback,” a video compilation of the previous year’s regional events set to music, kicked off CoasterBash XXXII. Linkenheimer then took the podium to welcome everyone and give a brief history of CoasterBash! He dedicated this year’s event to regional members and associates who passed away since the last one: Ralph Croushore, Ken Riling-Brewton, David Kane and Bill Linkenheimer Jr. Key ACE volunteers, including the ACE Western Pennsylvania regional rep team, were recognized.
Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III welcomed attendees.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Steve Gorman from Waldameer & Water World in Erie was first up — on the screen, not in person, because of commitments at the park. Sitting in a Whirlwind roller coaster car, he expressed optimism about the park’s prospects for 2021, including plans to open all rides and attractions. Some updates: the bumper cars have a new ceiling, the ACE Coaster Classic Comet turns 70 years old, the total length of the waterpark’s waterslides now exceeds one mile and the new Carousel Delights food stand will replace the Shooting Gallery. Look for a new sign on Spider as well as a refurbished façade on Wacky Shack. Fans of Ravine Flyer II will note that all of the first drop’s track has been replaced.
In person and from Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio), Jeff Filicko returned to his old stomping grounds. He brought a gift for everyone, namely, an envelope with a one-day pass to Fiesta Texas and a number of flash passes for specific park rides. Filicko began with a video of Dare Devil Dive, the first new attraction to open in 2021 at any amusement park. He described Fiesta Texas’ three-day mega-enthusiast extravaganza, Roller Coaster Rodeo, happening June 11 to 13. To learn more, check out https://www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/events/roller-coaster-rodeo. He also explained some of the park’s quarantine projects for 2021, which will focus on sprucing up the park. Annual festivals will continue, including Fright Fest, Holiday in the Park and the Holiday Drive-Thru Experience. 2022 will be the park’s 30th anniversary, and Filicko hinted at “something big that will interest coaster people.”
Jeff Filicko brought news and gifts from Texas.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Duane Rieder, creator of the Fred Weber documentary.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Of special interest to regional members was the showing of a digitally remastered documentary on Kennywood’s legendary maintenance supervisor, Fred Weber, who began working at the park in 1954 and retired after 51 years. He died in 2020. ACE member Garrett Sauers contacted Duane Rieder, creator of the original film, and asked if he could digitize it. Rieder explained how he convinced Weber to be interviewed and photographed for the film — something Weber had never done before. All shooting had to be done between 6 and 8 a.m., before Weber’s park work began.
Rick Knoebel made his second appearance at CoasterBash! representing Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg. As he had done last year, Rick began his presentation by calling his father, Dick Knoebel, so Dick could speak to attendees. Reasons to celebrate: Knoebels celebrates 95 years in 2021, is a Coaster Con 43 co-host and welcomes the return of the Covered Bridge Festival in October. Rick reviewed the 2020 season and offered updates for 2021. Knoebels’ holiday drive-through event, Joy Through the Grove, exceeded all expectations and will be a yearly event. Impulse now has two trains operating, and the Flyers will run as soon as the center post is repaired. Knoebels has a certified autism center and a new Facebook group: Grove Grub (a gathering of K-food fans).
Rick Knoebel called his father, Dick, to speak to attendees.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Dave Altman showed video clips from the Rideathon at Lakemont Park in 1996.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Another presentation with a regional focus was Assistant Regional Rep Dave Altman’s compilation of news clips from the 1996 Rideathon Marathon, held at Lakemont Park in Altoona and hosted by ACE Western Pennsylvania to raise money to restore Leap The Dips, an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark and the oldest roller coaster in the world. 2021 is the 25th anniversary of the Rideathon, in which Altman and his wife, Maggie, were participants. News clips from the eventual 1999 reopening of Leap The Dips were also shown.
ACE Cares Coordinator Adam Napotnik was up next to discuss current and future ACE Cares projects. Raising funds to benefit Give Kids The World is the primary focus for 2021. Last year ACE raised more than $50,000 for Give Kids The World at four Coasting for Kids events and was the top fundraising group at all four events. Seven events are planned for 2021 so far, with Kennywood’s being the last one on September 5. Other projects are on hold pending their return to park sponsorship in 2021. ACE Cares is looking for new ideas and team leaders to plan future events.
Adam Napotnik reviewed ACE Cares projects for 2021.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Between 6 and 7 p.m. ACEers dined outdoors on a tasty buffet that included chicken Romano, carved prime rib, pasta, a baked potato bar, grilled vegetables and salads, cookies and an ice cream sundae bar.
News from Kennywood always follows dinner, so up stepped its director of corporate communications, Nick Paradise, to review his current responsibilities at the park, which have expanded since last year. The theme for 2021 is getting back to normal, so Paradise announced the current plans for days and hours of operation, reminding everyone that these could change as the state eases restrictions on capacity. For now, some attractions will be closed, and there will be no live shows in the park. New this year will be Bites and Pints weekends in June that showcase different ethnic cuisines and offer specialty cocktails, craft beer and wine. New food stands will include Millie’s ice cream and an additional location of Auntie Anne’s pretzels. There will be a scaled-down celebration of Jack Rabbit’s 101st anniversary on opening day. The Phantom’s Revenge (which began as Steel Phantom) is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2021. Visitors will note cosmetic improvements as well as four empty areas where rides were removed last year. Paradise also reported that Kennywood’s sister park, Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut, is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year.
Nick Paradise reported the latest Kennywood news.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Nick Paradise and Kenny Kangaroo congratulated Joel Brewton-Riling, winner of this year’s Golden Kenny Award.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Paradise was joined by Kennywood’s mascot, Kenny Kangaroo, for the presentation of The Golden Kenny, an annual award to a member who has shown exceptional support and enthusiasm for Kennywood and ACE Western Pennsylvania. This year’s deserving winner was the region’s official photographer, Joel Brewton-Riling.
Representing Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters Inc. (PTCI) was Administrative Assistant Janine Rebbie Matscherz, whose father, Tom Rebbie, is president and CEO of PTCI, one of the oldest roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the company had to close for 12 weeks in 2020 but was able to reopen in June and continue work on coaster maintenance projects. In for repairs and refurbishing were trains from Wild One and Roar from Six Flags America (Bowie, Maryland) and Blue Streak from Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio), among others. In her presentation was a photo of an unidentified bright new red coaster train. Its name and destination are currently top secret!
Matscherz provided some details of PTCI’s open house at the plant in Hatfield, which will take place exclusively for Coaster Con 43 attendees, who will get a free PTCI T-shirt, lunch, a tour and a possible sighting of “Rexie,” the company’s “oldest” employee! And the gift shop will be open!
PTCI’s Janine Rebbie Matscherz updated attendees on company news and open house plans.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Next up was Ken Simmons’ video, New Coasters of 2020, which was followed by the appearance of Photo Contest Coordinator Jason Ballard to announce the Photo Contest winners: second and third place went to Dave Altman, and the coveted first-place trophy was awarded to Michael Burkes.
Photo contest winners Dave Altman (second and third place) and Michael Burkes (first place) with Jason Ballard.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Traditionally, the last presenter at CoasterBash! — and the longest-running presenter — is Jeff Croushore, whose title is now marketing director for both Idlewild and SoakZone (Ligonier) and Sandcastle (West Homestead). He began with a summary of what’s new at Sandcastle, starting with its opening on Memorial Day weekend. New food items will be an Auntie Anne’s and All-American Grille. The color scheme for the freshly painted food stands is based on color schemes found at Coney Island (Brooklyn, New York). The anticipated Bombs Away slide will open in 2022.
Jeff Croushore shared updates from Idlewild and SoakZone and Sandcastle.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Also opening Memorial Day weekend is Idlewild. Among the attractions operating this year are Story Book Forest, Jumpin’ Jungle, Skooters, Captain Kidd’s Adventure Galley — and Rollo Coaster! As with Kennywood, there will be no live shows this season. The events calendar is still a work in progress, but Hallowboo will return in October, “O the Owl Show” is planned for 2022 and a new ride to replace the Ferris Wheel is hoped for in 2023. Ongoing upgrades include carousel horse restorations, Rollo Coaster track upgrades and additional restroom renovations.
Restroom renovations? A definite highlight of CoasterBash! was watching the video of Croushore dancing through the newly renovated men’s and women’s restrooms, pointing out the new features — “the number 1 and number 2 reason for visiting Idlewild this year!” You had to be there.
The pavilion was getting dark, which was a signal that this improvised but well-planned open-air event was coming to a close. A “symphony of volunteers” video recognized everyone who had helped make the event possible, and Chinese auction, raffle and silent auction winners were announced. The ACE Archives and Preservation funds and the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives were the beneficiaries of the proceeds raised from these auctions, raffle and the Preservation Fund Sales Table sales, which totaled $4,118. The big prize (in more ways than one) was a giant hotdog prop from the defunct Garfield’s Nightmare, won by Dan Swartz in the silent auction for $1,100.
Dan Swartz greets his new friend from the old Garfield’s Nightmare.
Photo: Marie Ruby. View full-sized image.
Linkenheimer took the podium one last time to remind attendees of upcoming ACE Western Pennsylvania events. CoasterBash! XXXII may have occurred in an outdoor venue and during a later month and season, but it was recognizably CoasterBash! — a celebration of the region, its parks, its history and its honored traditions.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director
@#$%&!
#ACENews