originally posted on 11/4/2022 1:40:00 AM
Photo: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
On September 25, ACE held the second-ever Picnic at the
Grove event. Located at Stricker’s Grove, a small park in Hamilton, Ohio, this
event provided a unique opportunity to spend a day surrounded by history and
friendship. This year’s turnout was wonderful, and the weather was optimal!
Stricker’s Grove is a family-owned-and-operated private
amusement park and event venue that has been in business since 1924. It began
as a lovely picnic spot for Founder Henry Stricker’s fellow employees at
Procter & Gamble. A later addition of some apple orchards inspired the park
to be called Stricker’s Grove, and since those early days, the park has
continued to flourish. ACE members may be particularly interested to learn what
makes this park unique. Those attending the Picnic at the Grove event were
especially lucky: they heard these details from Pam Stricker, who delivered the
keynote speech and contributed a special surprise to this year’s raffle.
Both Tornado and Teddy Bear are seen in this view.
Photos: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
Tornado.
View full-sized image.
Stricker’s Grove is open to the public a mere four days out
of each year, plus some extra days for the 4-H Community Fair. Outside of those
days, the park is rented out to corporations or used for private events such as
weddings. This limited access creates a sense of mystery and excitement about
the park’s layout and operations.
There are quite a few historical children’s rides that have
been well maintained and continue operating, as well as some family-friendly
midway rides. The park has a pleasant balance of rides for children and adults,
especially since adults are allowed to enjoy some of the smaller rides. Two
roller coasters offer thrills to park attendees, and both coasters are
monuments to the man who built them. Ralph Stricker is the only person in the United
States to have built his own wooden roller coasters. Teddy Bear was
rebuilt from blueprints in 1996, copying the original 1935 ride at Coney Island
in Cincinnati. It has a minimum height requirement of 35 inches for riders accompanied
by an adult and 43 inches to ride alone. This makes Teddy Bear a fun
thrill for families and a fun thrill for the younger coaster enthusiasts. Tornado
is another coaster that holds a special place in history. Tornado was
designed by Al Collins, known for The Beast at Kings Island, and built
by Ralph Stricker. Legend has it that Ralph asked Collins to design a coaster
that Ralph could build on his own, but the duo had to hold off until Al’s
non-compete contract with Kings Island expired. Tornado started
construction in November of 1990 and was completed in June of 1993. Attendees
of Picnic at the Grove II event will fondly remember Pam Stricker’s description
of Tornado’s layout as “...an ‘out-and-back’ coaster, whatever that is.”
Tornado’s ride sign is a fun scavenger hunt item for a curious ACE
member, since it is hidden now by the landscaping around the ride. This coaster
has a minimum height requirement of 42 inches for riders with an adult and 48
inches minimum to ride alone. It provides a thrill for the more adventurous
family members and is a great taste of the classic wooden coaster
experience.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
Operations at Stricker’s Grove are done well, and the park
is generous to its patrons. Ride operators are well trained and are relaxed and
easy-going. Ice cream, popcorn, cotton candy and sodas were available
throughout the event for anyone. Dinner consisted of hot dogs, bratwursts and
hamburgers complemented by sides. Rides are shut down from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
while dinner is offered buffet-style between the midway and front gate.
Stricker’s Grove has plenty of table space and seating available inside and
outside to accommodate guests while they dine. Tables are nicely marked and
reserved by group, so that it is easy to sit with your community on days when
the park is hosting multiple clients. ACE members in attendance were assigned
space inside the dance hall, which was built as both an indoor event space and
a backup option should the park need to become a farm. It is designed to be
easily converted into a chicken coop!
Photos: Dave Jackson. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
The raffle at this year’s event was especially memorable.
Each attendee received a raffle ticket as part of admission, and the raffle was
part of the dinner entertainment. Among the prizes were the usual items including
ACE shirts and items like cups or magnets from various parks were available.
Tickets were placed in a bucket and drawn by the ACE members who volunteered to
run the event. Before the raffle, Pam Stricker gave her keynote speech, during
which she shared interesting facts and news about Stricker’s Grove. At the
conclusion of her speech, she surprised everyone with an extra contribution.
Stricker’s Grove formerly used ride tokens and then ride
tickets. Patrons paid for tokens or tickets, and then used them to play games
or enjoy rides. Nowadays, single admission pricing is used, or patrons purchase
wristbands depending on the events. Pam recently gathered some of the original
tokens and tickets. She donated a mixed bag of tokens to be given as smaller
prizes and a complete set of tokens and tickets alongside a collage of the park
as the Grand Prize of the raffle. Everyone attending was shocked and awed by
Pam’s generosity and thoughtfulness, and everyone wanted to win those tokens! A
brief discussion was had about whether to hold an impromptu auction, but the
gift was never meant to be competed for in that way, and it was kept as luck of
the draw. The anticipation and excitement during the raffle was incredible.
Somewhere in the ACE community, some very lucky individuals are in possession
of singularly unique pieces of Stricker’s Grove history.
Photos: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
Teddy Bear.
View full-sized image.
Overall, the event was a great success. ACE members wore
memorabilia highlighting favorite rides from all over the world. People laughed
and talked, comparing experiences and discussing ride statistics. It truly was
a unique celebration hosted by a hidden gem of an amusement park. The
atmosphere was relaxed and fun, with a passion and nostalgia that shaped the
day into a shared experience to be remembered with smiles.
— Sam Scheifele
#ACENews