originally posted on 3/10/2023
Hersheypark served as the host venue for Eastcoaster.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
After a two-year pandemic-related break, 244 American Coaster Enthusiasts members from 12 states gathered on Saturday, February 4, for a day of socializing, presentations, fun and, of course, food during Eastcoaster at Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania). At a pre-Eastcoaster event, the park treated 238 ACE members and guests to a frigid Friday afternoon Wildcat's Revenge construction tour and question-and-answer session.
Tasty items available at the Eastcoaster bake sale.
Photo: Lin Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
During a social hour prior to the event, guests could purchase delicious items offered at the legendary ACE bake sale coordinated by Chris Smilek, along with assistants Karen April, Dave Dragun and Kathy Wagner. The 11th annual bake sale raised $900, plus two matching donations for a total $2,300 for the ACE Preservation Fund. Another $4,530 was earmarked for ACE charities as a result of the live and silent auctions.
Eastcoaster was co-hosted by ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Rep Mike Matscherz and Assistant Regional Rep B. Derek Shaw at the park’s Music Box Theater. The day’s presentations started with Hersheypark’s marketing and public relations representatives Quinn Bryner and Amanda Polyak, respectively, providing all the details of the Rocky Mountain Construction project and other happenings at Hershey. The much-anticipated Wildcat's Revenge is a welcome addition to the park’s already solid lineup of roller coasters, soon to be its 14th. The 3,510-foot-long, wood-steel hybrid cat will feature four inversions, including the world’s largest underflip with a 270-degree roll.
Deno Vourderis from Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, Coney island.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
Next on the agenda was the entertaining Deno (DJ) Vourderis, co-owner of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park in Coney Island. He touched on the challenges and accomplishments of the park’s most recent coaster, Phoenix. DJ also provided each Eastcoaster attendee with a $50 gift card for his family’s amusement park. Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, Luna Park, Playland Park and Adventureland are the chosen parks for the ACE Preservation Conference scheduled for August 25-27. ACE New Jersey is working on scheduling an event at the American Dream Mall on August 28.
Ryan Eldredge provided updates from Dorney Park.
Photo: Sean Congema. View full-sized image.
Ryan Eldredge from Dorney Park (Allentown, Pennsylvania) was up next and deftly dealt with the social media firestorm ignited by enthusiasts’ discovery of site plans for what appears to be a large, tall new ride for the 2024 season. He also highlighted the park’s Grand Carnivale celebration and showed some love, with help from ACE Dorney Park expert Cliff Herring, for the park’s historic clown mascot Alfundo (Allentown has fun at Dorney).
Nathan Bonawitz reviews GCII’s latest projects.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
Nathan Bonawitz, an engineer with Great Coasters International, Inc. talked about his company’s Titan roller coaster track and its latest coaster cars. He is a recent addition to the staff of the Sunbury, Pennsylvania, company.
Dollywood’s Pete Owens is excited about the park’s new projects.
Photo: Jhace Louis. View full-sized image.
Dollywood’s Pete Owens showed off the park’s 2023 projects, including Big Bear Mountain roller coaster and Heartsong Lodge, a new resort property. Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) is one of this year’s Coaster Con 45 (June 18-23) host parks, along with Carowinds (Charlotte, North Carolina).
After a buffet lunch at Hersheypark’s Coaster Cafe, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania announced several events, including Clowning Around at Dorney Park (May 20), ACE Flies With the Phoenix (July 29), CocoaCon at Hersheypark (September 9) and Mayhem at Dutch Wonderland (September 10). The region also thanked former Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Rep Brian Watts and former Assistant Regional Rep Nick Pugh for their years of volunteering for ACE.
ACE President Elizabeth Ringas then took the floor to highlight the club’s upcoming events, social media efforts, member benefits and volunteer opportunities.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas updates.
Photo: Jhace Louis. View full-sized image.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas was represented by Marketing Manager Jeff Filicko. The park will be home to the world’s first single-rail family racing coaster, Kid Flash Cosmic Coaster. The ride from Skyline Attractions will have more than 1,100 combined feet of P’sghetti Bowl track with 12 crossovers in a dual-track design. This coaster should look spectacular because of a programmable LED track lighting package. Filicko said the park also is adding a VIP members’/passholders’ lounge and is again hosting its popular Rollercoaster Rodeo (June 9-11). The Mardi Gras festival has returned, as has Six Flags’ fabulous fireworks displays. Fiesta Texas continues to show love for ACE, as each attendee received a free ticket to the park, single-use flash passes for most of its popular rides and two Texas-sized collectible pins.
Meagan Passero and Gabriel Darretta promised announcements of new attractions.
Photo: Lin Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Sesame Place (Langhorne, Pennsylvania) introduced its Mardi Gras parade and celebration, which begins in mid-February. Social Media Director Gabriel Darretta welcomed ACE members to share photos and videos with the park. Communications Manager Meagan Passero promised some soon-to-be announced new attractions. Sesame Place is the first theme park to be designated as a certified autism center.
Jeff Eisenberg mentioned upcoming Dutch Wonderland attractions but revealed no details.
Photo: Lin Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Dutch Wonderland’s Jeff Eisenberg said the park will be adding new attractions in its former space-themed section but couldn’t divulge much more than that right now. Both the park entrance and the gift shop at the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, park are being refreshed.
Dick, Rick and Brian Knoebel bring news from the Elysburg park.
Photo: Lin Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Dick, Brian and Rick Knoebel were up next with news that both the Phoenix and Twister coasters are undergoing track work. They also updated progress on the Bayern Kurve ride and touted a 50th anniversary celebration for the Haunted Mansion, complete with new food offerings. A number of items donated by the Elysburg, Pennsylvania, park, including a chow down with a Knoebel family member and several ride signs, raised hundreds of dollars in the live auction. Dick Knoebel was really into the auction, driving up prices on several items, and at one point jokingly offering up for auction a night in his son Brian’s former bedroom.
Pete Barto of PB Amusements talked about the past and present of log flumes, listed the ride manufacturers his company represents and showed a video of an amazing (nonflume) ride vehicle that could revolutionize the dark ride industry.
PTCI’s latest projects were outlined by CEO Tom Rebbie and Janine Rebbie Matscherz.
Photo: Lin Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Tom Rebbie and Janine Rebbie Matscherz of Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. were the final presenters. They showcased the many coaster car refurbishments underway at the factory and welcomed ACE members to visit. The master storyteller also detailed the sad tale of his crushed car that was parked on the company’s Hatfield, Pennsylvania, property.
Throughout Eastcoaster, winners were called for the wide variety of door prizes and silent auction items donated by the park presenters and others. Attendees were grateful to the ACE Eastern Pennsylvania volunteers and Hersheypark who made Eastcoaster possible.
— Lin Weisenstein
#ACENews