ACE South Central: Winterfest Wows Record Attendance

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originally posted on 2/3/2023

Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.

Off-season events continue to be great opportunities for enthusiasts to connect when many parks are shuttered for the winter. When an informal gathering in Texas became a more official event in the mid-1990s with the establishment of Winterfest, attendance was less than 50. Flash forward to more than 25 years later, and ACE South Central set a record with attendees and presenters totaling up to the 200 mark.

What helps set Winterfest in Texas apart from other such events is its continual change of location. With all the major theme parks having played host, smaller attractions such as waterparks, the State Fair of Texas and family-owned properties have also welcomed ACE in January. For the first time, Austin was host city with Circuit of The Americas (COTA) being a brand-new host. And what a host it was.

Racing was happening right outside the Winterfest venue.
Photo: Grayson Knutson. View full-sized image.

Matt Hughey of COTA welcomed Winterfest attendees.
Photo: Krystal Knutson. View full-sized image.

The venue for Winterfest was big, comfy and full of snacks. If there was a quibble to be had, it was the sound of race cars periodically roaring by, but that added to the authenticity of the facility.

A full day of presentations was not only entertaining but informative. In today’s day and age of internet and social media, big announcements are instantaneous. However, virtually every presenter provided insider knowledge and all sorts of tidbits so that every attendee left having learned a lot. And, goodness, was there swag!

Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.

Following an ACE South Central 2022 recap, Matt Hughey of Circuit of The Americas and a principal driving force behind COTALand welcomed everyone. Hughey’s knack for humor helped set the tone for a fun day, as did his acknowledgment that the ACE community was more like a family. Warm fuzzies and smiles and hugs throughout the day were testament to Hughey’s words.

COTALand has had the bulk of its rides delivered. Hughey joked that they are stored everywhere on the massive piece of land owned by COTA. Now they need to build the park! City permits and entanglements are slowly unwinding, and piers look to be poured in the weeks ahead. The hope is that attractions will be going vertical soon. Attendees were able to see a glimpse of a master plan, but the final design of the park is still being tweaked. A 2024 opening is expected.

Patience is a must.

Chris Ozimek, regional marketing director for Six Flags properties that land in ACE South Central’s region, shared all the up-to-date info on Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington). Assuring attendees that the fourth year will be the charm for the debut of Aquaman Power Wave, a giveaway item of an Aquaman 2023 wall calendar also included 2024 at the bottom. “You never know,” Ozimek quipped. It was an ingenious, tongue-in-cheek bit of humor. Numerous festivals were touched upon, but what really surprised attendees was the planning of new landscaped areas, newly renovated bathrooms and attractions that are being painted (Batman The Ride and El Sombrero). Lone Star Coasterthon dates were announced as April 22 and 23, which will take the event out of the late summer heat.

Ron McKenzie.
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Chris Ozimek.
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Ron McKenzie of Pro Parks spoke on behalf of Hawaiian Falls. As he approached the stage, he received a huge roar of applause from a roomful of fans who appreciated all his years of great work for Six Flags. And for the first time, Waco will enjoy an ACE event — at the Hawaiian Falls property there in July.

Sarah and Danny Donhauser.
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ZDT’s Amusement Park (Seguin, Texas) informed members of upcoming changes to the silos area of the amusement park. Owners Sarah and Danny Donhauser are preparing the area to host seasonal festivals, with the first one hopefully beginning this fall. In other news, Danny has done considerable track work on Switchback replacing the top layer with Ipe wood. Even with the refurbishment, sections are planned to where work is done on weekdays and the coaster is up and running during weekend operations. All this prompted jokes from the audience to go dumpster diving for old wood. They were also excited to see HBO Max release the trailer for “Love and Death” starring “Avenger” Elizabeth Olsen. The park was used to film a scene, and in the process switched to filming aboard Switchback. See the teaser here:

Steven Amos of Give Kids The World Village (Kissimmee, Florida) informed those unfamiliar with the charity of its purpose and a glimpse into what the Village looks like. He also showered the ACE community with praise for its support and announced that two of the “tour stops” this year will take place in Texas. Coasting for Kids is an event that many ACE regions participate in to support Give Kids The World. Events take place at various locations across the nation.

Steven Amos.
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Zoe Anderson of Camp Fimfo.
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Going into Winterfest, if you had asked attendees what they knew of Camp Fimfo, the answer probably would have been “nothing.” To everyone’s surprise, presenter Zoe Andersen of Northgate Resorts announced that the first alpine coaster in Texas will open February 18 at Camp Fimfo. The alpine coaster will feature three lifts and offer a ride lasting just under 10 minutes. Camp Fimfo is located near New Braunfels. The name of the coaster is Cliff Carver.

The food served was outstanding — and plentiful.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

COTA’s culinary team challenged themselves with “Tastes of COTA” and a very creative menu. Loaded Funnel Puppies, COTA Kettle Potachos, Downforce Sliders, Chicken Fried Burnt Ends and more made for some fancy ingredients and not-the-typical event food. Bravo!

Following lunch, awards given by the regional rep team kicked off the afternoon. Taken by surprise, Hughey found himself walking to the stage to receive the region’s Industry Appreciation Award. The crowd enthusiastically supported the rep team’s selection. Also, the Golden Track Award, which honors a regional member, was given posthumously to Jay Jacobs, whom everyone misses very much, and his contributions at both the regional and national level were acknowledged.

The ACE South Central regional rep team presented the Industry Appreciation Award to COTA’s Matt Hughey.
Photo: Krystal Knutson. View full-sized image.

The Golden Track Award was given posthumously to Jay Jacobs for his years of incredible volunteerism.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.

Before heading to his seat, Hughey stayed close to the stage. As volunteer representative of the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA) Kris Rowberry took the stage, Hughey announced that all registration fees paid to COTA ($5,000) would be graciously donated to the NRCMA.

Kris Rowberry represented the NRCMA.
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Rowberry gave an overview of the progress taking place at the Plainview, Texas, facility, as well as spotlighting recent donations. Furthermore, Rowberry also manned a portable NRCMA store during the event, allowing attendees to show their support by buying souvenirs.

Wes Ramey of Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) was up next and got everyone excited to attend Coaster Con 45 with the addition of Big Bear Mountain. The new Heartsong resort hotel on property is taking shape, although it won’t be ready for Con. However, the drone night show will be returning for the 2023 season.

Wes Ramey.
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Jim Kunau.
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Frontier City (Oklahoma City) was represented by its new park president, Jim Kunau, and he felt the ACE camaraderie quickly. Interestingly, the park is taking a focused look at its theme and is renaming two of its rides with more western-sounding names. The loop formerly known as Brain Drain (a terrible name, Kunau felt) will have the familiar-to-enthusiasts name of Rolling Thunder. The bumper cars formerly known as Dodge’em will have a new name, Rodeo Round Up. A new look will come from the vehicles receiving a customized paint job to look like cows. Fun! Frontier City will welcome ACE with an event in September.

Chuck Cureau and Ray Gonzales brought the fun.
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SeaWorld San Antonio (Texas) is building a reputation as a must-see presentation. Marketing cut-ups Ray Gonzales and Chuck Cureau entertained with humor and energized attendees for the debut of Catapult Falls, the first launched flume ride on the planet. They also noted that SeaWorld had reached a milestone of 40,000 animal rescues since the company began. Cureau embraced everything that ACE does. “This ACE community is amazing,” he told the audience.

Schlitterbahn will be hosting ACE events at both its New Braunfels and Galveston locations. Presenter Cassidy Schippel noted that there will be a Bahn villains and heroes theme this year, and to get the full effect, members should attend both events. The event shirts are reported to convey the whole concept. She also pinpointed some details from sister Cedar Fair parks Carowinds, Worlds of Fun and Kings Island.

Cassidy Schippel.
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Monty Galland.
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Big Rivers Adventure Park (New Caney, Texas) welcomed ACEers last year for a regional event, and CEO Monty Galland spoke to members for the first time. Many in the audience were impressed that the waterpark/adventure park/ride park arranged for visitors to swim with alligators. Interesting. Last season, the park introduced Big Rivers Fairgrounds, an area that features hard rides, including a spinning coaster. This allowed the facility to extend its season beyond the typical waterpark season.

Steve Thomas.
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Steve Thomas retold the arduous journey of Prairie Screamer’s long-awaited arrival at Traders Village (Grand Prairie, Texas). It was a challenge, but the region is thrilled to have this great coaster in Texas. Thomas spoke on the other two Traders Village flea markets, both of which have rides, but Grand Prairie was the first to get a coaster (but not necessarily the last). He also explained that Traders Village has purchased Western Playland. As an established amusement park, it will go through the opposite process of the other properties of building a flea market to coincide with the rides.

A running joke throughout the day was that no one wanted to have to follow Jeffrey Siebert. The park president of Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio) was his vibrant self and always a fan favorite. Many of the new additions for 2023 were announced at the FT92 fan event during Feliz Fiesta, including the addition of a racing P’sghetti Bowl coaster from Skyline Attractions. However, there is more in the world of coaster news. Iron Rattler’s third train has arrived. Soon the park will never have to be in one-train operation while one is in annual maintenance. The park’s Boomerang (the most-ridden model in the chain) is receiving not one, but two new trains. It will also be receiving a new control system and magnetic brakes. (Ask Siebert to perform the magnetic braking process; too fun.) That coaster will temporarily close after spring break and reopen for the summer. In the second half of the year, Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster will be receiving a refresh as well, with upgraded trains and new controls. Those procedures will dictate the removal of some parts in the station, so when the refurbishment begins, the ride will temporarily close during those enhancements. The park’s kids’ area will also see a thematic makeover as Thrill Seeker Park.

Jeffrey Siebert.
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Derek Perry and Joseph Ciza.
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Although no park presenters had to “follow Jeffrey,” the regional team noted upcoming events, and ACE Communications Director Derek Perry and ACE Membership Director Joseph Ciza made sure attendees were up to date at the national level.

An auction followed presentations, and as they typically do, bidding wars can stir up some excitement. Overall, thanks to the generosity of attendees, $1,310 was raised.

Emcee and Assistant Regional Rep Jeff Braziel auctions off a piece of Wonder Woman held by Assistant Regional Rep Donnie Ratliff.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

As attendees gathered up door prizes and significant swag given out by the gracious presenters, everyone was shuttled through the nationally renowned racetrack property so they could enjoy a handful of rides, COTA’s observation tower or the COTA Karting 55 mph go-karts. Most everyone enjoyed some new credits, among them a classic Schwarzkopf Wildcat.

Door prizes were in abundance.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.

Winterfest couldn’t have been more successful. A great venue, superb presentations, fun keepsakes, great food, warm hospitality and some coaster rides thrown in. Everyone was appreciative of all the efforts put in by the regional rep team, volunteers, presenters and staff at Circuit of The Americas.

— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor