ACE Founders Honored as Legends at 2024 Golden Ticket Awards

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originally posted on 10/7/2024

Photo: Courtesy AT-Dan Feicht. View full-sized image.

Amusement Today presents the Golden Ticket Awards each September. The industry publication is recognized as a leader in providing news covering amusement parks, waterparks, family entertainment centers, fairs and more. This year, awards were presented in 22 categories, which were voted on by various panels. In addition to these traditional accolades, the publication also acknowledges parks and individuals for accomplishments not covered in the awards determined by hundreds of voters. These come in the form of Publisher’s Picks and Legends.

The ceremony, hosted at Kennywood on September 7, was the longest in the awards’ history. Part of this was owing to a larger number of Legends awards.

Of note to ACEers is that Amusement Today acknowledged the founders of ACE as Legends. To bring in co-founder Roy Brashears and the wife of Paul Greenwald, Paula, organizers had to inform them ahead of time (co-founder Paul Greenwald passed away in 2015). Richard Munch, ACE’s first president, was registered to attend because the industry event coincided with a board meeting of the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives. He was completely surprised.

“Obviously, I didn't have a clue,” said Munch. “When the video presentation began, I froze. I wasn't sure if this was really happening. It was just that surreal.”

Richard Munch.
Photo: John Tomasetti. View full-sized image.

Roy Brashears and Paul Greenwald.
Photo: Richard Munch. View full-sized image.

A video presentation surrounding the award was shown to more than 300 industry professionals in attendance. Going back to the well-known story (to ACE members) about the fateful marathon at Kings Dominion in 1977 that planted the seeds for the formation of the club and how the organization has grown to more than 7,000 members, the three founders were spotlighted. In time, ACE has grown to be a recognized voice in the industry, has made significant contributions to preservation as well as education through the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark plaques, continues to research the history of the roller coaster and retains its legacy of award-winning publications.

“It was incredible to see Richard and Roy stand with Paula, Paul's widow, side by side after so many years to accept the Legends Award,” said ACE President Elizabeth Ringas, who was in attendance. “Hearing them reminisce and share the special memories that were brought to mind by the surprise of the moment made it clear what their contributions to the industry still mean to them today.”

From left to right, Paula Greenwald (at podium), Roy Brashears, Richard Munch and AT Publisher Gary Slade.
Photo: John Robinson. View full-sized image.

Each of the three was able to make remarks at the podium upon accepting their awards.

“While I was pleasantly surprised to see Roy, it was also a comfort to greet Paula Greenwald,” Munch said. “I had not seen either of them in decades, so it was wonderful to reconnect even for a brief moment. No doubt for the three of us it was a humbling experience, and certainly an honor to join all of the amazing individuals that came before. And if we can take credit for anything, my hope it is that we saved the roller coaster in some way, by bringing attention to its precarious condition a half century ago.”

“Their gratitude for the volunteers who contributed to advancing what they started 46 years later left me reflecting on what incredible leaders they were,” Ringas said. “It reminded me of the extraordinary insight and intention that they brought to the foundation of ACE.”

Photo: Allen Ambrosini. View full-sized image.

Photo: Richard Munch collection. View full-sized image.

Photo: ACE Archives. View full-sized image.

Other Legends during the ceremony included John Reilly of Palace entertainment (a surprise), the late Paul Nelson of Waldameer fame, Christmas and Halloween events at Dollywood and Universal Studios Florida, and a wild surprise for Amusement Today Publisher Gary Slade (an honorary ACE member), which was secretly organized through industry friends and the staff of AT.