ACE Western Pennsylvania: Allegheny Mountain Madness

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originally posted on 8/5/2022 1:31:00 AM

Skyliner.
Photo: Frank DelVillar. View full-sized image.

Following ACE Goes IdleWILD at Idlewild and SoakZone, Allegheny Mountain Madness began the second of ACE Western Pennsylvania’s post-Coaster Con events on June 25, also at small regional parks: Lakemont in Altoona and DelGrosso’s Park, about 15 minutes up the road in Tipton.

Word had reached Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III earlier in the week that Leap The Dips was down for maintenance. The night prior, during the final Coaster Con 44 dinner at Kennywood, Linkenheimer broke the news, which was a major disappointment to those who had never visited Lakemont and were eager to get a credit on the oldest roller coaster in the world. Cash refunds were offered to those who wanted them. For others, the good news was that Lakemont’s ride tickets were good for all of 2022 and anyone planning to attend the Gary Baker Memorial Day regional event at Lakemont in late July could apply the price of any unused ride tickets toward the purchase of an Unlimited Ride & Play Pass for that day.

Unfortunately, Leap The Dips was not operating.
Photo: Frank DelVillar. View full-sized image.

Skyliner.
Photo: Brandon York. View full-sized image.

No activities were scheduled at Lakemont, but attendees could use their ride ticket for Skyliner, had the option to exchange their Leap The Dips ticket for a different ride and play one or both of Lakemont’s challenging mini-golf courses. Attendees had a great deal of flexibility, allowing them to visit the two parks at their leisure, with some even choosing to visit Lakemont the next day.

You never outgrow Lil’ Leaper at Lakemont Park.
Photo: Brandon York. View full-sized image.

DelGrosso’s generously provided attendees with an All-Day Fun Pass, which included access to all rides plus admission to Laguna Splash, their Italian-themed waterpark, which proved to be popular for those able to arrive early to the Tipton park. Other than dinner, no formal activities were scheduled, so the 162 attendees, many of whom had never visited DelGrosso’s, sought out the park’s popular attractions. Unfortunately, the Reverchon Crazy Mouse was down by the time that most attendees arrived, but hopes were that it would open later. DelGrosso’s other coaster, a Fajume Wacky Worm, was running, as were the popular Tipton Creek Railroad, X-Scream Tower, Yo-Yo and the centerpiece and oldest ride in the park, the Herschell-Spillman Carouselle — the only ride remaining from 1946 when Fred DelGrosso bought the park. Attendees were eager to sample the park food, because DelGrosso’s is well-known not only for its lively amusement park but also for its ever-growing food operations.

Photo: Frank DelVillar. View full-sized image.

At 6 p.m. attendees gathered for a dinner featuring some DelGrosso’s specialties, including spaghetti with DelGrosso’s marinara sauce, a barbecued half chicken and Murf’s famous potato salad. In Linkenheimer’s welcoming message, he announced the good news that Crazy Mouse was running.

Carl Crider Jr., park president and general manager, thanked attendees for coming and announced that 2022 marked 75 years for DelGrosso’s as a park and food business. He provided a brief history of the park (formerly Bland’s Park) and the family’s food operations and remarked that DelGrosso’s sauces are now found in 49 states (North Dakota being the only holdout). He thanked Linkenheimer and Mike Funyak, the park’s assistant director of operations, for their work in organizing Allegheny Mountain Madness. He also announced that the park would provide an unscheduled ERT on the Dodgem bumper cars when the park closed and suggested that those wanting to ride Crazy Mouse head there right after dinner. A group photo followed.

Carl Crider Jr.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.

Photos: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.

View full-sized image.

The line for Crazy Mouse was long, and at 8 p.m., the park’s scheduled closing time, the ride promptly shut down, as it does per park policy, despite many attendees still waiting. Some who lived a great distance from the park were not happy to miss an opportunity for a new credit. The ERT on the Dodgem bumper cars occurred as promised, which Funyak operated himself for 30 minutes.

Coaster Con “week” was now officially over, but attendees were grateful to ACE Western Pennsylvania and employees at Lakemont Park and DelGrosso’s Park for an opportunity to gather another day to ride coasters with friends.

— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director