originally posted on 7/7/2025
Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Eastern Great Lakes region held its annual Picnic at the Grove event at Stricker’s Grove in Hamilton, Ohio, on Sunday, June 29. Normally open to the public only four times a year, Stricker’s Grove is a family-owned park that originally opened in 1924.
More than 200 ACE members and their guests traveled to the north side of Cincinnati for Picnic at the Grove, representing 15 states. After a quick check-in outside the park entrance to pick up name badges, admission tickets and event stickers, attendees could enjoy free all-day concessions including popcorn, ice cream, cotton candy, sno kones and drinks. While the weather was hot and muggy (with a touch of rain right before dinner), ACE was spoiled with access to a massive air-conditioned dining hall to cool off and catch up with friends.
Stricker’s Grove’s sizable ride arsenal includes a Tip Top and Round Up.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
The rides at Stricker’s Grove opened for six hours, meaning plenty of time to get laps on both Tornado and Teddy Bear, in addition to other classics like a round-up, flying scooters and the rare Hrubetz Tip Top.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
The opportunity to ride the park’s two wood roller coasters is always a perk of a Stricker’s Grove visit.
Photo: Jesse Rose. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Both of the two roller coasters were built in-house by Ralph Stricker. Tornado, designed by Al Collins and opened in 1993, is a mirror image of the John Allen-designed Jet Coaster from Rocky Glen Park (Moosic, Pennsylvania), whereas Teddy Bear was built using blueprints from the 1935 Coney Island (Cincinnati, Ohio) Teddy Bear and opened in 1996. Teddy Bear is an ACE Coaster Classic.
In addition to enjoying exciting rides, attendees took pleasure in sedate experiences such as miniature golf.
Photo: Kara Roost. View full-sized image.
Dinner was served buffet style and included hot dogs, hamburgers, brats and sides. Of course, it wouldn’t be dinner at Stricker’s Grove without some of its sweet corn, which is purchased by the park from a farm just down the road. During dinner, a gift was given to co-owner and Stricker family member Debbie Ziegler as a thank-you for hosting ACE: a four-foot teddy bear wearing a Picnic at the Grove T-shirt.
Two four-foot teddy bears were given away, one to Stricker family member Debbie Ziegler (left) and another to young ACE member Melody Roost, courtesy of Dave Jackson.
Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
A silent auction was held during dinner, raising more than $100 dollars.
Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
Also held during dinner was a small silent auction during which a few small items were auctioned off, along with a second giant teddy bear. More than $100 was raised to help ACE’s history and preservation efforts. Honorary ACE member Dave Jackson placed the winning bid on the giant teddy bear and gave it to young ACE member Melody Roost as a gift for riding her 50th roller coaster on Tornado that afternoon.
Picnic at the Grove featured a proposal on the midway when Jonathan Munson made his feelings known to Robin Moon.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
After dinner everyone joined up for a quick group photo in front of Tornado, which was followed by an impromptu marriage proposal. Congratulations to ACE members Jonathan Munson and Robin Mann of Greens Fork, Indiana, on their engagement!
Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed Stricker’s Grove’s flat rides.
Photo: Dominic Corbin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Picnic at the Grove continues to be a favorite event among ACE members, and it’s thanks to the support of both the Eastern Great Lakes volunteer team and the park staff. A special thanks was extended to Debbie Ziegler and Pam Stricker from Stricker’s Grove for their help in providing an incredible day of classic family fun to our attendees.
— Jon Roost, Eastern Great Lakes Regional Representative
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