originally posted on 10/13/2023
Photo: Joshua Grayson. View full-sized image.
On Saturday, September 9, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania held its fourth annual CocoaCon event at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. ACE members greeted the Melanin Coaster Network (MCN) for its first-ever joint event, and CocoaCon set a new record for total attendance at a regional event with 445 attendees.
Following registration at a designated ticket window, many attendees began the day with a ride on Candymonium — Hersheypark’s B&M hyper coaster.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Photo: Kelsey McCurdy. View full-sized image.
Attendees made their way to the park’s main entrance and checked in at CocoaCon’s designated ticketing window. Registered participants were treated to a specially designed ACE Eastern Pennsylvania lanyard that featured the region’s event logos as well as a uniquely designed button. After check-in, attendees were treated to the park’s Sweet Start early entry on multiple attractions like Comet, Skyrush and Candymonium. One quick look at the park’s entrance plaza and it was clear that ACE and MCN attendees were going to dominate the Sweet Start. At 9:30 a.m., participants were treated to the first ride of the day on the park’s newest creation, Wildcat’s Revenge. This began with a quick group photo in front of the coaster’s station with the lift hill and inversions setting up a picture-perfect backdrop.
ACErs and Melanin Coaster Network members gather for the first ride of the day on Hersheypark’s newest roller coaster, Wildcat’s Revenge.
Photo: Melanin Coaster Network. View full-sized image.
Informal takeover times were scheduled throughout the day on rides such as Storm Runner, Kissing Tower and Dry Gulch Railroad. Crowds during the day quickly ramped up, but attendees were still able to ride most of their favorite coasters and attractions.
The event’s ITOTs included the park’s Intamin Accelerator, Storm Runner, as well as Kissing Tower and Dry Gulch Railroad.
Photo: William Supko. View full-sized image.
Photos: Jessica Knouse. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
At 3 p.m. an early dinner was served in the Fahrenheit catering area. The meal included burgers, jerk chicken, mac ‘n cheese, garden salad, pasta salad, watermelon and plenty of ice cream selections. Brad Kirkham from Hersheypark’s engineering team welcomed attendees and spoke about his experience working on Wildcat’s Revenge as well as the opportunities the coaster has presented. Kirkham also entertained several questions from participants. ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Representative Mike Matscherz followed by making a few announcements, hosting a live auction and welcoming the 138 attendees who were attending their very first ACE event.
As attendees gathered for dinner, Hersheypark’s Brad Kirkham and ACE’s Mike Matscherz spoke to the gathered crowd.
Photos: Jessica Knouse. View full-sized image.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
As the sun went down, attendees were able to get some final rides before gathering to wait for park guests to clear. To help pass the time until ERT began, attendees were able to participate in the region’s first-ever Skee-Ball Championship. More than 100 participants gave their best rolls and after three rounds, Steven Dougherty was crowned the champion. After the lines had been cleared, the group enjoyed an hour of ERT on Lightning Racer and Wildcat’s Revenge, which moments earlier was announced as the winner of Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award for the best new roller coaster of 2023. The energetic ride crews kept the lines moving with fast and efficient operations. That same energy was contagious, and riders left the station cheering before every ride. As ERT ended, the remaining riders made their way to the park exit and were already looking forward to next year’s event.
Following the Skee-Ball Championship, attendees enjoyed Hersheypark favorites such as Laff Trak — an indoor spinning coaster with a fun house theme.
Photo: Jessica Knouse. View full-sized image.
Photo: Joshua Gianninni. View full-sized image.
The ACE Eastern Pennsylvania regional representative team was grateful to MCN for its partnership in the event, as well as Laura Woodburn Krolczyk, Connor Dea, Kirkham and the operations team at Hersheypark for hosting ACE. Their generosity helped make CocoaCon the sweetest event in ACE!
— Mike Matscherz, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Representative
#ACENews