originally posted on 11/4/2022 1:43:00 AM
Beautiful fall weather welcomed attendees to ACE Screeems.
Photo: Scott Conely. View full-sized image.
Forty-eight ACE members and their guests headed to Salem, New Hampshire’s Canobie Lake Park on October 15 for ACE Screeems at Canobie. The group enjoyed an incredibly beautiful autumn day. The regional event was held in conjunction with the park’s annual SCREEEMFEST.
At check-in, attendees received their admission ticket and two special stickers to identify them, one from Canobie and one with the ACE New England logo, because they were being admitted to the park an hour before opening.
Photo: Scott Conely. View full-sized image.
Led in together at 2 p.m., attendees were brought directly to Yankee Cannonball as a group, as preparations for the park opening were ongoing with all sorts of staffing and vehicular traffic throughout the park. ERT began promptly and boisterously with cheers and yells encouraged by the ride ops. Yankee Cannonball warmed up quickly and provided excellent rides during the exclusive ride time.
Attendees enjoyed ERT on Yankee Cannonball.
Photo: Rus Ozana collection. View full-sized image.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Canobie’s gates were opened to the public at 2:45, and the park began to fill quickly. Attendees were gathered in front of the coaster after ERT and led to the Dancehall Theater for snacks (including the most delicious — and huge — chocolate chip cookies) and a Q&A session with Canobie’s Brand Manager Chris Nicoli.
Photo: Chris Nicoli. View full-sized image.
Of course, the Number One question from the group focused on the vacant plot of land where Corkscrew once stood. While nothing could be revealed at the present time, Nicoli did promise that an announcement would be coming in November during the IAAPA Expo and that Regional Rep Rus Ozana would receive an email directly with whatever that announcement revealed. A true teaser for sure!
As with most Halloween-themed park events, Canobie has walk-through haunted attractions — five of them this year. Two are brand new. Pinecrest Sanitarium is an indoor haunt, and enthusiasts were offered a lights-on tour to follow immediately after the Q&A.
While Nicoli spoke about the five haunts, he remarked that instead of waiting in five queues for access, one queue would bring guests through both the indoor Pinecrest Sanitarium and its “neighbor,” Carnivus. For the other three — all outdoor haunts, The Breach (also new for 2022), Facility 235 and The Culling — just one queue was needed. It’s a nice benefit, keeping guests from having to wait in too many lines allows them to hit the shows and entertainment offered, the rides and the food stands.
Before attendees left the Dancehall Theater, Nicoli had a surprise for everyone: Screeem Express Vouchers, which provided front-of-line access to all the haunts.
Photo: Scott Conely. View full-sized image.
After the escorted lights-on walk-through, attendees were free to enjoy all the park had to offer. By that time though, the crowds had increased significantly and waits for the more popular rides were quite lengthy. If only head-of-line passes for those were available, too!
Sincere appreciation went to Nicoli, other Canobie staff and ride ops who made a special event the success it was!
— Rus Ozana, ACE New England Regional Representative
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