originally posted on 11/3/2023
Photo: Xander Lee. View full-sized image.
One of the most welcoming parks to ACE is Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio). There isn’t just a single event each year, but multiple events. Fright Bash is the annual ACE shindig that lets the park showcase its Halloween product. It included a lot.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
In addition to the usual perks one might expect, October 14 just happened to be an annular eclipse, and San Antonio was in the right spot to experience a true “ring of fire.” Not only were 170 registered attendees the highest ever for the event, but the eclipse also brought in a huge influx of regular guests, as Fiesta Texas offered a snazzy viewing package. Of the 170 attendees, 35 were experiencing their first ACE event. Eleven states were represented.
The park opened early because of the solar sideshow. Before long, the lawn where guests typically enjoy the nighttime fireworks show was populated with star watchers, ACE among them. Armed with special viewing glasses, everyone enjoyed the rare celestial event. The park had fun with it by setting off some fireworks and sending up some lighted drones.
While waiting for the eclipse, ACEers saw the roof going on the station of the park’s newest coaster.
Photo: Joseph Ciza. View full-sized image.
Glasses provided to attendees allowed for direct viewing at the eclipse.
Photo: Joseph Ciza. View full-sized image.
Hundreds of people gathered on the park’s lawn — including ACE to see solar performance.
Photo: Xander Lee. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Taken through glasses, these images give the impression of the eclipse, even though the sky was not dark.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
To be clear — the skies were not dark. An annular eclipse and a total eclipse are different things. (Of note: San Antonio will also be the site for a total eclipse in April.) Still, there was a “dimmer” appearance to the light, as well as a noticeable temperature difference. While fireworks and festivities were going on, Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and The 5th Dimension’s “Let the Sunshine In” made for appropriate background songs.
Just after the noon hour, the park got into full swing, and ACEers had a big day ahead of them.
On its Facebook page, Fiesta Texas offered a monster makeover. ACE member Nellie Weathersby was selected and got a “new look.”
To say the park was busy would be an understatement. According to management, it was the busiest day of the year. Despite people everywhere, it didn’t seem to hinder ACE much. The Fright Bash benefits were in abundance. Between Octoberfest and Fright Fest, there were 10 shows available. ACE was offered preferred seating at four of them. Lines weren’t an issue either, as the event credential offered so many rewards, it was almost scary. Attendees had access to the VIP lounge, could use the Flash Pass lanes and had speedy admittance to the haunted houses. Nice!
Photo: Xander Lee. View full-sized image.
Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Reserved seating was provided in the afternoon for “Curse of the Zombie Prom.”
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
With major crowds, an arranged dinner was roomy and welcome in the park’s pavilions. Before the last bite of apple cobbler was gobbled up, Marketing & Communications Manager Jeff Filicko offered a welcome and some housekeeping notes; Park President Jeffrey Siebert talked about what was in the park’s future; and Regional Reps Jason Knutson, Brian Schrimsher and Donnie Ratliff updated attendees on regional news.
Regional Reps Donnie Ratliff, Jason Knutson and Brian Schrimsher and Fiesta Texas’ Jeff Filicko and Jeffrey Siebert addressed attendees at dinner.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Back into the crowds! Some opted for rides. Others awaited The Arrival, when the park’s scare actors arrive by train to populate the scare zones. Reserved seating at Rock Apocalypse, Monster Mash Bash and the phenomenal Frightful Finale made for a way to just relax after a long day. If attendees weren’t into fantastic shows, there were the park’s many haunted houses to keep a body occupied. There was so much to take in.
“Rock Apocalypse Revenge” was part of the fantastic night entertainment.
Photo: Joseph Ciza. View full-sized image.
“Monster Mash Bash” brings a live band and all casts into one giant show.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Following Monster Mash Bash, everyone gathered on stage to have a group photo taken.
As guests and ACE awaited the Frightful Finale, which includes projections on the cliff wall, impressive fireworks, fountains, fog, drones and live actors, there was no escaping the light package on the new Kid Flash: Cosmic Coaster. The Aurora light package was being shown off for the first time. Alas, the timing for riding wasn’t quite right as the ride was about two weeks away from being commissioned. The queue and station were being built, and theming was to be installed the following week. Drat! (It just leaves a reason to look forward to the park’s Feliz Fiesta ACE event.)
Guests could see the debut of the lighting on the park’s new Kid Flash: Cosmic Coaster.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
“Frightful Finale” is a popular hit that includes projects, fireworks, drones, fountains, fire and live actors.
Photos: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
The park closed at 11, and with thousands — and thousands! — of people departing, ACE was lucky to avoid the parking lot and enjoy an hour of ERT. The park threw in a third coaster, so enthusiasts were able to enjoy Iron Rattler (Rocky Mountain Construction’s cliff-hugging I-Box masterpiece), Roadrunner Express (Arrow’s last mine train) and Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger (Bolliger & Mabillard’s seven-across dive coaster). Those who waited until the witching hour to give up their last iota of energy found that the parking lot was getting close to clearing up.
ERT on three coasters, including Iron Rattler, was a great way to cap off the night.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
For such a busy day, the event perks made it easy to navigate. Other than working one’s way through the masses, everything else seemed to be manageable. Attendees thanked Filicko, Siebert, Marketing & Communications Coordinator Ryan Castilleja and the park teams for making it such an enjoyable day.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
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