Blogs

originally posted on 4/8/2024

Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.

Thirty-five years of CoasterBash! That’s a long history for a regional event, and what better way to remind attendees of that history than to review the locations of CoasterBash! in the opening video! For a region that includes parks with long histories and high-number anniversaries, it seemed appropriate to recognize the event’s history as well.

But let’s start at the beginning! On this cloudy, rainy, chilly March 2, 182 attendees checked in at Salvatore’s Events & Catering in Pittsburgh’s South Hills at 1:30, anticipating an afternoon and evening of fun and entertainment with friends. CoasterBash! always begins with social time, during which everyone can find a table and cruise the room. New this year was the Prize Wheel ‘n’at fundraiser to benefit the ACE Preservation Fund, and every spinner was a winner. Also new, and free to all, was a guess the number of candy pieces in a jar game, the prize for which was an awesome silvery CoasterBash! duck! Along with visiting the vendors, which this year included some ACE merchandise, attendees could peruse the ACE Preservation Table, make memories at the photo booth, bid on the silent auction items, check out the bake sale managed by April Kanai and vote in the photo contest. Bowls of popcorn were on every table, soft drinks were free and a cash bar was available.

Steve Smith at the Prize Wheel ‘n’at.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

At 3 p.m., the lights dimmed and attendees were treated to “Past CoasterBash! Locations — the Sopranos Edition,” starring Dave Altman (whose idea it was) and Garrett Sauers (who filmed it). A number of sites in the Pittsburgh area — including Kennywood — have welcomed CoasterBash! in its 35 years, and this opening video tour showed them all. Sauers’ “Summer Flashback 2023,” which was a visual review of all the region’s events in 2023, followed, and Ken Simmons’ “New Coasters of 2023” closed out the opening video warmup.

Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III welcomed attendees.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III welcomed everyone and offered some updates. CoasterBash! XXXV was being dedicated to two regional members who passed away in 2023: Mar-Jean Zamperini and Dan Haber. Linkenheimer also recognized two assistant regional reps who stepped down in the past year, Tim Michalak and Matt Adler. Linkenheimer then acknowledged ACEers in attendance who hold regional and national positions.

Steve Gorman.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

First to speak was Steve Gorman, president of Waldameer & Water World in Erie. In his recap of 2023, he noted that the passing of Owner Paul Nelson in May 2023 had a profound impact on the park and its future plans. Waldameer will continue to be a family-owned park, but any major changes will wait until after the 2024 season.

What will happen in 2024, however, will be track work for Ravine Flyer II and a new control system for it and for the flume, Thunder River. Restoration of the carousel horses will begin, as will conversion of the midway benches. Admission prices for 2024 will not change, but food service will see some changes including some new items.

Steve Gorman pointed out the mobile home park recently purchased by Waldameer.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

In expansion news, Waldameer purchased an adjacent mobile home park but has no definite plans for the site yet. Gorman’s son David’s sixth book in the Waldameer Mystery Files series will be available in March. Looking ahead, although the 2024 line in one of Gorman’s slides listed only “infrastructure updates” for 2024, the following lines for 2025, 2026 and 2027 promised “something new.” Gorman also announced that the region’s 2024 Ravine Flyer Frenzy event would take place at the park on Saturday, June 8.

Before introducing the first of them, Linkenheimer mentioned another first for CoasterBash!, namely, that five speakers this year were women. Janine Rebbie Matscherz stepped up to report news from Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTCI) in Hatfield. 2023 was a busy year for the company, and 2024 promises to be one too. Displayed at the IAAPA Expo in 2023 was PTCI’s new lead car for the Hersheypark Comet, an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark that was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1946.

Janine Rebbie Matscherz.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

Matscherz reviewed PTCI’s new train work for 2024, which includes Great American Scream Machine, Wild One, Roar, Legend, Thunderhawk, Blue Streak, The Underground, Tornado (Stricker’s Grove) and Boulder Dash. PTCI’s CEO, Tom Rebbie (Janine’s father), couldn’t attend CoasterBash!, so Matscherz also updated attendees on her father’s horse (Ace) and some hilarious photos from his “Things I See” collection.

Dalton Fischer appeared remotely with news of the updated Fire In The Hole.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

Dalton Fischer of Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, appeared virtually to discuss the park’s soon-to-open second generation of its beloved Fire In The Hole, originally built in 1972. Whether this classic dark ride is also a roller coaster will not be debated here; what matters is that this updated version by Rocky Mountain Construction will open with new scenes as well as updated old ones, plus an onride audio system.

Fischer reviewed all the upcoming park events for 2024. In other news, Silver Dollar City has purchased 1,000 acres adjacent to the park, but plans for the property are unknown as of now. Stay tuned!

Kris Leach (on the screen in the bottom middle photo) reviewed past and future ACE Cares activities.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

ACE Cares Coordinator Kris Leach began by thanking members of the ACE Cares team and then explaining the team’s goals and reviewing its past and upcoming activities. Most projects are centered around support for Give Kids The World and its Village in Kissimmee, Florida, which provides week-long, cost-free vacations for children with life-threatening diseases and their families. ACE Cares teams raised more than $20,000 to fund “wish weeks” at the Village, and they did this by supporting Coasting for Kids events, the Gingerbread Run and Ice Cream for Breakfast at regional events. The ACE Western Pennsylvania region has included Ice Cream for Breakfast at some of its events since 2012. Parks for 2024 events have not been announced yet, so stay tuned!

Jim Futrell dicussed some of the amusement attractions in Alaska.

Amusement parks in Alaska? Jim Futrell, historian for the National Amusement Park Historical Association, has visited them and brought stories and photos. In 1947 Lakeshore Park was the first amusement park to open in Alaska, and Anchorage was the site of the first roller coaster to operate in the state. Futrell discussed early parks that are now defunct and commented that currently there is no business in Alaska called an amusement park. The first full-size coaster opened in 2021 at the Alaska State Fair, which is the only time one can ride it. The closest thing to an amusement park today is Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, a historical theme park that opened in 1967 and includes a locomotive, merry-go-round and various exhibits. The oddest park is probably Mukluk Land, with its collection of oddities and curiosities and all things Alaskan.

Wearing appropriate headgear, Hunter Lawrence reviewed The Gravity Group’s project in the Year of the Cat.

The Gravity Group (TGG) made its first-ever appearance at CoasterBash!, represented by Engineer Hunter Lawrence. She reviewed the company’s 10 2024 projects in various parks and reminded attendees that it was the Year of the Cat for TGG: Wildcat (Lake Compounce), Bobcat (Six Flags Great Escape) and an as-yet-unnamed cat. Lawrence showed a video of TGG’s newest product, their engineered precut track, and discussed the advantages of both the horizontal and vertical precut track. She thanked ACE again for bestowing the company with an ACE Honorary Membership.

Lenny Adams, winner of the 2024 Industry Appreciation Award, with the ACE Western Pennsylvania rep team.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.

The 2024 Industry Appreciation Award from the region went to Lenny Adams, formerly of Conneaut Lake Park, for his support of the region and his efforts to resurrect and maintain the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Blue Streak. Adams provided behind-the-scenes experiences, tours and ERT to attendees at regional events, for which the region will always be grateful.

A photo booth was something new for CoasterBash! XXXV.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

One of the themed CoasterBash! cakes.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.

Time for a dinner break, during which time attendees could visit the sales tables, the silent auction, games and other activities plus vote in the photo contest when they weren’t busy enjoying the roast beef, chicken Romano, pasta and other items featured on the buffet, as well as dessert served from one of three sheet cakes themed to the ACE region.

Kicking off the second half of CoasterBash! was a video of television news reports from the first KennyKon in 1989. Introducing them, Linkenheimer acknowledged Western Pennsylvania’s first regional rep, Jack York, who was responsible for organizing the region’s first off-season events, predating CoasterBash!, and Harry Sykes, the second regional rep, under whose leadership the first KennyKon took place.

Updates from Kennywood were revealed by Tasha Pokrzywa.

Tasha Pokrzywa, communication manager for the local Palace Entertainment parks, reviewed Kennywood’s (West Mifflin) 2023 highlights and summarized those for 2024. Kennywood will be hosting Amusement Today’s Golden Tickets Awards ceremony in September, but before that visitors will note the rebuilt green train on Jack Rabbit, an Aero 360 refresh, a renovated Turtle (96 years at Kennywood and the only operating tumble bug ride in the world), a refresh for Thunderbolt, a return of the pre-ride TV introduction at Exterminator, Potato Patch-themed and newly named bumper cars (Potato Smash), special events throughout the season and more surprises to be announced later. Kennywood’s mascot, Kenny Kangaroo, will celebrate 50 years in 2024. Pokrzywa also announced that KennyKon XXXV would take place on Saturday, August 3.

Kenny Kangaroo and Marie Ruby presented The Golden Kenny to Tim Cronin.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

And speaking of Kenny, he appeared with Director of Ride Operations Marie Ruby to present The Golden Kenny, an award to a regional member to acknowledge their enthusiasm and support of ACE Western Pennsylvania. This year’s winner was Tim Cronin. Congratulations, Tim!

Elizabeth Ringas updated attendees on ACE’s national events for 2024 and presented Dave Hahner with an honorary membership.

ACE President Elizabeth Ringas updated attendees on upcoming ACE national events: Spring Conference at Kings Island; Coaster Con 46 at California’s Great America, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk; ACE Journey to Europe International Trip (The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland); and Preservation Conference at Lost Island Themepark, Adventureland Park and Worlds of Fun. She also mentioned that the “Legacy of Schwarzkopf” documentary is scheduled for release in November and showed a trailer. After reminding attendees that 2024 is an election year for four offices and instructing them on the election procedures, Ringas presented an honorary membership to Dave Hahner, ACE’s historian and assistant regional rep for ACE Western Pennsylvania. Congratulations, Dave, and well-deserved!

Rick Knoebel had lots to report about the family park, Knoebels Amusement Resort.

Representing Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Rick Knoebel showed a video of the park and announced park hours for the season as well as opening day (April 27) and Phoenix Phall Phunfest (October 5). Projects for 2024 were restoration of the Tea Cups, a new location for Rock-O-Plane, Wurlitzer band organ restoration, a new Power Surge (in the location of the original one), track work on Phoenix and Twister, beginning of restoration to the Sky Slide and a new character meet and greet. Stay tuned for news of the Bayern Kurve! Knoebels received Golden Ticket awards for best food and best wood coaster (Phoenix). The park will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.

Photo contest winners, left to right: Steve Schwahn, James Kerr, Dave Hahner and Jason Ballard, photo contest coordinator.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

CoasterBash! Photo Contest winners were announced by Jason Ballard, the contest coordinator. Third place went to Steve Schwahn, second to James Kerr and first to Dave Hahner. Congratulations, all!

Jeff Filicko described the new rides for the DC Universe at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

From Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Marketing Manager Jeff Filicko greeted attendees by saying “My goal in this presentation is to give you endless reasons to visit the park.” And he did! Fiesta Texas will have the largest DC Universe in North America, with all the superheroes in one section. New rides in that section are Cyborg Cyber Revolution (rotating arms on a rotating tower), Shazam! Tower of Eternity (a drop ride) and a monorail, Metropolis Transit Authority, which in the future could be expanded outside of the DC Universe. Accompanying Filicko’s announcement was a video of an extravagant parody of The Simpsons’ Monorail Song. Coming up on April 8 will be the Total Eclipse of the Park that will include drone and fireworks shows during the actual eclipse. An additional nudge to visit Fiesta Texas in San Antonio was a ticket to the park with VIP access to certain rides that Filicko gave to all attendees.

In keeping with the “party like it’s 1990” theme, Jeff Croushore showed photos from Idlewild that he claimed were taken in the 1990s. Could that be Nick Paradise?

Jeff Croushore, marketing director of Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier, brought news from the park as well as updates from Sandcastle Water Park in West Homestead. He also brought some hysterically funny doctored photos, allegedly taken at Idlewild in the 1990s. 2024 will be the 147th season for Idlewild and the 35th for Sandcastle. Sandcastle is adding 22 operating days to its schedule and Idlewild 12 more.

Track work on Rollo Coaster.
Photo: David Hahner III. View full-sized image.

At Idlewild, visitors will notice the continuing refurbishment of horses on the Merry-Go-Round, more bumper cars, track work on Rollo Coaster, a SoakZone refresh, accessibility improvements and the return of familiar characters to Story Book Forest. Hootin’ Hollar celebrates a 40th anniversary, and familiar festivals and events will return as well. Idlewild became an iROC (International Ride Operator Certification program) park this year and received iROC’s Newcomer Award.

It was time to thank all the volunteers who made CoasterBash! possible and to announce the winners of the silent auction, Prize Wheel ‘n’at bonus prizes and Guess the Candy contest. A grand total of $3,078.50 was raised to benefit ACE’s special funds and the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives.

CoasterBash! may have ended, but the season’s fun was just beginning. Linkenheimer closed with thanks to everyone for coming and a “see you at an upcoming event.” As always, attendees were grateful to the ACE Western Pennsylvania regional rep team and volunteers and to Salvatore’s, which is always a welcoming host.

— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director

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