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originally posted on 11/10/2025

Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.

There’s always a good reason to visit Knoebels, and one of the better ones is ACE Eastern Pennsylvania's midsummer event, ACE Flies With the Phoenix, which this year happened on July 26. Some 223 attendees arrived at the Elysburg, Pennsylvania, park eager to experience Knoebels’ eclectic collection of rides, chow down on its extensive variety of food offerings and meet up with follow enthusiasts. It was warm with threats of rain but nothing to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm for what promised to be a fun day ahead.

Photos: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.

View full-sized image.

At the first check-in table, attendees were given their badges and pins, and at the second they registered for a history tour. Photos: Linda Weisenstein.

Check-in began at 10 a.m. at the StratosFear drop tower, where attendees collected their name tags and lanyards, special pins and a $20 Knoebels Grove Card. (The cost of the event depended on whether the attendee wanted to add a $20 Knoebels ride ticket booklet.) There was also a sign-up table for a history tour at the Knoebels History Museum.

Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.

Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.

Contestants picked up their cups full of water and tried to spill as little as possible as the StratosFear plunged toward the ground.

During check-in, the Water Cup Challenge began, a popular opening to the event that has seen increased participation every year. This year 38 people decided to try their luck holding onto a cup of water while riding the 148-foot-tall StratosFear three times (dropping at 47 mph) and not spilling any water. Needless to say, there was a lot of hilarity and damp clothing.

Haunted Mansion rides inspire many different emotions.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.

Attendees wait in line for Black Diamond.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.

The park officially opened at noon, but attendees had an hour of ERT on the Haunted Mansion dark ride and the coaster/dark ride Black Diamond beginning at 11. Many exited the Haunted Mansion wondering whether anything had changed since their last visit. At Black Diamond, those who were alarmed on Knoebels’ opening day at the donkey’s absence were happy to hear it braying loudly in its usual spot near the top of the lift hill. A group photo followed ERT in front of Black Diamond.

Who will get the brass ring?
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.

Informal takeover times (ITOTs) were scheduled throughout the day, the first one being at 1 p.m. at the Grand Carousel. This carousel, built in 1913 by Kremer's Carousel Works in Long Island City and acquired by Knoebels in 1942, is one of the few left in the United States with a brass ring device, whereby riders on the outside ring of horses can try to catch rings from a dispenser. Catching a brass ring is such a popular activity that Knoebels has two lines for the ride: one for those who want an outside horse and the other for those who have no preference.

Brian Knoebel answered questions about the park and his family’s involvement in it during the history tour.
Photo: Brianna Bixenman. View full-sized image.

History tour attendees met at the Knoebels History Museum at their scheduled time. The museum documents the history of Knoebels, the Knoebel family and mining in the region. Tours were led by co-owners of the park Brian and Rick Knoebel, who also answered attendees’ questions about issues related to the park.

At 3 p.m. at Pavilion J, a meet and greet began with Knoebels’ family and staff. Regional Rep Mike Matscherz welcomed everyone and thanked the Knoebels team for helping to organize the event. He recognized his regional rep team and thanked all the volunteers who contributed, after which he reviewed upcoming ACE Eastern Pennsylvania events.

Regional Rep Mike Matscherz announces the Water Cup Challenge winners. Left to right after Mike: Heather Surgis (accepting first place on behalf of Seth Miller who was the actual winner and wasn't at the ceremony), Alexis Garver (second) and Michael Popovich (third).
Photo: Eggie Young. View full-sized image.

The Water Cup Challenge race was an extremely close one this year, with the winner managing to spill only 0.8 fluid ounces of water! Seth Miller took first place, Alexis Garver second and Michael Popovich third.

As for upcoming events, ACE Flies With Knoebels in 2026 will be a three-day event on July 24-26, because it will mark the 100th anniversary of Knoebels Amusement Resort. Stay tuned for details!

Brian and Rick Knoebel updated attendees on what’s happening at Knoebels.
Photo: Eggie Young. View full-sized image.

Matscherz introduced Brian and Rick, who answered questions about the park, many of which they get asked frequently, such as when a particular ride will open. Because several rides are in various stages of creation and repair, their standard answer nowadays is “The ride will open when it’s ready.” There was one definite answer, however: “Power Surge will open before Bayern Kurve and Sky Slide.” Well, okay!

Their father, Dick Knoebel, couldn’t be present for the event, but Brian called him so that he could greet attendees and share some comments over the phone.

Attendees enjoyed an ITOT on the Giant Flume — you will get wet!
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.

An informal group photo was taken after the Twister ITOT.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.

ITOTs continued into the evening with one on Giant Flume, which had just reopened after some repairs and renovation and is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025. Another was on Twister, the in-house-built coaster inspired by John Allen's design of Mr. Twister that operated at Elitch Gardens until the park was moved. Attendees raved about how well the coaster was running.

Other coasters at Knoebels not to be missed were the one-and-only Flying Turns, a bobsled-style ride based on the Norman Bartlett and John Miller design from the 1920s, built in house and modeled after Flying Turns at Riverview Park (Chicago, Illinois). Lines for this ride were long! Impulse, the Zierer steel coaster, is celebrating 10 years at Knoebels in 2025. Kosmo’s Kurves is a popular E&F Miler family coaster.

Offride and onride rides on Phoenix.

Phoenix ERT at night is not to be missed.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.

The park closed at 9, after which began an hour of ERT on Phoenix, voted Best Wood Coaster in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket awards and celebrating its 40th anniversary at the park. Two-train operation meant that everyone had plenty of chances to ride this awesome coaster wherever there was an empty seat. Rides were especially exciting about halfway through ERT because all lights on the coaster were turned off. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe night rides on Phoenix.

It was another happy day at this park in central Pennsylvania that doesn’t charge for admission or parking and lets visitors find their own version of fun. Attendees left the park happy and grateful to the ACE Eastern Pennsylvania rep team and Knoebels for another opportunity to appreciate a classic amusement park and all it has to offer.

— Lee Ann Draud, ACE News Editor

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