originally posted on 12/16/2022 1:55:00 AM
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
It was another exciting Veterans Day weekend in Branson,
Missouri, for Coaster Christmas 2022. This year was one of the largest events,
with 206 attendees. It started with ERT on the Runaway Mountain Coaster
on Friday night, where attendees could pick up their event packets.
Attendees could pick up packets the night before at the Runaway Mountain Coaster.
Photo: Matt Laskowski. View full-sized image.
On
Saturday, November 12, Silver Dollar City welcomed attendees on a very chilly
morning with a little bit of snow. With some hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls
served by Park President Brad Thomas, everyone warmed up with the return of the
morning’s regional presentations. Thomas from Silver Dollar City and Brian
McGannon from Worlds of Fun discussed 2023 and possible future plans for the
two Missouri parks. Regional Representative Paul Drabek also discussed 2023
events and handed out door prizes. Being as generous as Silver Dollar City is,
nobody left without a Christmas ornament and a free 2023 ticket to the park.
Brad Thomas.
Photos: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
Brian McGannon.
View full-sized image.
More than 200 attendees gathered for presentations.
Photo: Matt Laskowski. View full-sized image.
After
presentations, attendees ventured into the park with a meal voucher good at the
prime rib buffet and a two-day Trailblazer pass allowing for quicker queue
access for eight rides. VIP show seating was also back this year, offering one
show to each attendee. Upon registration, attendees could choose between “A
Dickens Christmas Carol” and “Coming Home for Christmas.” Being as cold as it
was, only Thunderation and Fire in the Hole opened on Saturday. Everyone
still had a blast between the shows, buffet and dazzling Christmas lights. In
the evening the park lit up with more than 6.5 million lights, two light
parades, Joy on Town Square, Christmas in Midtown and a partridge in a pear
tree.
Actual snow fell the day of the event.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
On
Sunday, some attendees did an unofficial takeover of the Track Family Fun Parks
— Track 4, which included two hours of go karts and rides, including the 200-foot-tall
Branson Ferris Wheel. In the afternoon, some returned to Silver Dollar City,
taking advantage of the two-day ticket and warmer temperatures for some coaster
rides. All the coasters opened on Sunday from about 2 to 5 p.m., giving
everyone a chance to enjoy multiple rides.
Overall,
this was and always is a phenomenal event and weekend. Even with the colder
temperatures, the event is always a blast.
— Travis Shoemaker, ACE Heart of America Assistant Regional Representative
#ACENews