originally posted on 6/30/2023
It’s not a new roller coaster, but the addition of NorCal County Fair to California’s Great America is nonetheless significant.
All photos: Liz Doughty Tan. View full-sized image.
On June 1, ACE Northern California members were among the first to experience the new-for-2023 NorCal County Fair at California’s Great America (Santa Clara). The event offered an opportunity to see the updated area, enjoy a wide range of foods at a buffet, play midway games, go for a drive on the updated Barney Oldfield’s Redwood Rally and take a construction tour of Pacific Gliders.
ACE members welcome the occasional opportunity to get competitive, and time spent playing some of the park’s midway games was considered as enjoyable as riding roller coasters.
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The evening was a delight from start to finish. Attendees were given a themed tote bag, raffle ticket and midway games card, and adults were offered drink tickets. The employee lot behind the park was utilized for parking, and attendees walked in through a back entrance so they could be led to the NorCal County Fair area of the park. Ride operators were standing by, but the rides were not open at first.
The event included a construction tour of the new Pacific Gliders – a Zamperla WindstarZ flat ride that will simulate hang gliding.
View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Attendees feasted on a buffet dinner, which was unexpectedly diverse. Following dinner, park employees officially introduced the new area to attendees. The rides and midway games in the area (Drop Tower, Barney Oldfield’s Redwood Rally and Grizzly) opened last and included a bonus ride, RailBlazer.
Barney Oldfield’s Redwood Rally represents a comprehensive reworking of the former Barney Oldfield Speedway, including new signage and a bear named Buford.
View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
The rethemed and renamed Barney Oldfield’s Redwood Rally featured updated signage — road signs invite drivers to the Winchester Mystery House, Casa de Fruta and other local landmarks. The updated course concluded with a drive by a bear cave and the introduction of a bear named Buford who is apparently napping under the boulders. The park is taking full advantage of this character by selling Buford-themed merchandise.
In addition to selling Buford merchandise in the NorCal County Fair, the theme has been extended to its midway games.
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About a year ago, amusement park and roller coaster enthusiasts were shocked to learn owner Cedar Fair had sold the land underneath this beloved regional park. The site’s new owner — a logistics real estate company — is required to provide at minimum two years’ notice before closing the gates forever. With California’s Great America’s investment in the new NorCal County Fair, it’s a wonderful surprise to see improvements to the park continuing in spite of its numbered days.
— Liz Doughty Tan
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