originally posted on 8/12/2022 1:26:00 AM
Photo: Rus Ozana collection. View full-sized image.
Bright sunshine and warming-into-the-upper-90s temperatures (which seems to be the “norm” this year) greeted 112 heat-braving souls on Saturday, July 23, at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts. The free event was limited to ACE members only
and drew attendance from 15 states, including Wyoming and Missouri!
Beneath the new (and very large) Six Flags logo sign, attendees were checked in and issued ACE New England logo stickers (instead of name badges) and were provided with coupons for a free Superman The Ride on-ride photo and two exit passes, which
were good for up to four persons per pass and could be used on any ride in the park.
Communications Manager Jennifer McGrath quickly rounded up everyone for a group photo in front of the aforementioned sign before escorting ACE into the park and the access gate leading down to the service road for Superman
The Ride. Before entering the gate, the group was split into two, with Group A scoping out the northern end of the coaster (nearest the station) and Group B heading to the southern end. The coaster was running both trains but without passengers.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
With security guards keeping an eye on everyone, Group A was first instructed not to wander beyond the beginning of the brake run. McGrath was the escort for the group and was surprised when security told her they could go “to the last curve of the roadway”
for viewing and photo taking. She announced to the group that “NOBODY is ever allowed” back that far! A couple of minutes later, she received further word from security that the group could venture all the way to the locked gate, where viewing of
the final bunny hills could best be seen, to get photographs and to get video of the train in action. Again, she expressed disbelief that the tour was able to proceed that distance. And ACEers with cameras in hand left no view, angle or turn unphotographed.
At the coaster’s southern end (with incredible views of the first drop and tunnel), Maintenance Director Jeff Bissonnette was the escort for the group. He provided an extremely knowledgeable narrative of many aspects of the coaster, the train, the wheels
and assorted maintenance procedures that are performed. (Interesting tidbits: Did you know the temperature of the wheels can reach over 400 degrees Fahrenheit by the time the train reaches the brake run? And a new paint job of the track can actually
slow a train?) He admitted that he could talk about the coaster all day (and everyone believed him) and answered every question asked.
The tour ended about 15 minutes before the park opened for the day. Attendees were led to the queue entrance to Superman for first rides of the day, before the public reached the coaster. With both trains operating, some attendees managed to get
in five or six rides before the station filled with park patrons, as re-rides were permitted if no one was in the queue for a seat.
Photos: Jessica Knouse. View full-sized image.
Attendees met inside for fun giveaways.
View full-sized image.
At 11:15, a Q&A session was held inside the mercifully air-conditioned Rockville Theater building. While assembling, it was hard to miss the 18-linear-feet of tables loaded with a vast variety of door prize items.
Over the years, Regional Rep Rus Ozana had received many donated items from various local parks as giveaways at ACE New England’s off-season event, The Great Nor’Easter, and other regional gatherings. After the events, there always seemed to be some leftover
items, which were saved for the next regional event (or two, or three). He found a box in his basement that had gone unnoticed, apparently for quite some time. Well, it was time to unload it, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. Giveaways
began with the notation of the table overflowing with assorted stuffed characters and the announcement that anyone 15 years or younger had first dibs on the collection. Then ticket numbers were called out, quickly, as Ozana wanted those items gone so
he wouldn’t have to lug anything home. Again. About three-quarters of the way through the ticket-number calling, he announced, “If your number hasn’t been called, come up and take something!” After one last reminder that he didn’t want to have to
take anything home, all that remained at the end were three Six Flags letter openers.
Historic artwork was part of an auction package.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Two packets were assembled to be auctioned off to the group. Each packet contained multiple items that were both common, historic or unique. The first included two photos of artwork prepared for the 1999/2000 expansion of the park. The second included
a brochure of the park from 2011 that included an insert on the “rules” for riding Superman: Ride of Steel (its name at the time). The auction brought $75 to the ACE Archives and the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives.
With everyone sufficiently cooled, all questions answered and the supply of door prizes exhausted, it was time to head back into the park to have lunch, find snacks and use those exit passes.
Kudos to McGrath, Bissonnette and Park President Pete Carmichael for arranging a unique and rewarding event.
— Rus Ozana, ACE New England Regional Representative
#ACENews