originally posted on 8/17/2019
Photo: May Reinert-Ubinas. View full-sized image.
The 2019 ACE Summer Conference closed out the year’s national events in fantastic fashion. With 121 attendees from 25 different states, the event was an opportunity for locals, returning fans and a crop of first-time visitors to experience some great parks a little farther off the beaten path. Funtown Splashtown USA (Saco, Maine) had been a co-host of Coaster Con XXXVI in 2013, but Story Land (Glen, New Hampshire) and Santa’s Village (Jefferson, New Hampshire) were enjoying the first national event ever held at those parks. The conference served as an ideal occasion to showcase these New England gems.
Wild Mouse
Photo: Cheri Armstrong. View full-sized image.
While not an official part of the conference, Sea Viper at Palace Playland was a new coaster for most attendees.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
On Friday, July 26, attendees had the day at their leisure to enjoy everything and anything at Funtown Splashtown USA. It was warm enough to easily take advantage of time in the waterpark, not to mention the nearby Palace Playland at Old Orchard Beach. Several ACEers made a short stop over there for a spin on the property’s newer coasters (Wipeout and Sea Viper) or to take advantage of the discounted wristband offer. By midafternoon, most members had arrived at Funtown. Gathering together for the first time, ACEers soon enjoyed some cool event perks, a commonality that would last through the entire weekend.
Funtown Splashtown USA Cool Perks: A special behind-the-scenes look inside the revamped Astrosphere and a nifty photo opportunity deep within Excalibur.
Those wishing for a backstage look at the park’s beloved indoor Scrambler enjoyed a personal and detailed backstory on the upgrades for this season, which included the ride’s covering going from an inflated dome to a sturdy, storm-shelter-worthy, permanent building. Cory Cormier, maintenance manager for Funtown, shared the details of the transformation and then escorted all attendees inside for an up-close presentation of the new light and sound show — without the ride running, naturally.
Photo: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.
A presentation just for ACE took place inside the Astrosphere.
Photo: May Reinert-Ubinas. View full-sized image.
Following that treat, ACEers were escorted around and inside Excalibur. After the group photo was taken in such an exciting location, members were able to get some “had-to-be-there” angles of the first drop.
Attendees were escorted inside Excalibur.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Excalibur
Photo: May Reinert-Ubinas. View full-sized image.
At dinner, Marketing Manager Ed Hodgdon, collected scavenger hunts he had created and awarded prizes to the winning family. An auction of some unique keepsakes set fundraising activities in motion for the whole weekend. If attendees weren’t full after dinner, they would be during ERT. After a couple more hours to enjoy Funtown’s rides, attendees at ERT on Excalibur and some flat rides were fortified with desserts on Excalibur’s observation deck. Night rides on the Custom Coasters International, Inc., 1998 woodie plunged riders into the depths of wooded darkness. The curvaceous layout defines the term “twister.”
ACE President Robert Ulrich and ACE Events Director Steve Berto present the host plaque to Funtown’s Cory Cormier.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.
The conference crossed state lines for the second day, having moved into New Hampshire. As ACEers drove up, they could clearly see the group being welcomed on Story Land’s entrance sign. Once inside, those experiencing the park for the first time were quick to notice — and appreciate — the attention to detail and the whimsical theming everywhere throughout the park.
ACE was spotlighted on the park’s sign.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
Story Land Cool Perks: ACE was the first group ever to get a sneak preview of the Living Shores Aquarium being built adjacent to the park. The flavor choices of free fudge were mind-boggling.
Conference attendees could drive in at their leisure, but those arriving early enjoyed an excellent park history presentation from Jack Mahany, a long-time former employee with 30 years of service at the park. By early afternoon, most everyone had arrived, and tours began of the Living Shores Aquarium. Until the conference weekend, no one had been allowed to see the construction process inside the new attraction; ACE was the first. With a projected opening this fall, the new aquarium will be a sister facility offering year-round entertainment to people in the area.
Story Land’s Jack Mahany gave an excellent presentation on the park’s history.
Photo: May Reinert-Ubinas. View full-sized image.
ACE members were the first ever to preview Living Shores Aquarium.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Story Land owns a delightful assortment of notable rides. The 1988 Polar Coaster is a great first roller coaster for kids, and the water rides are seriously cute. A rare (pole-less) carousel and a beautiful Cuckoo Clockenspiel flat ride are also standouts among many whimsically themed rides.
Polar Coaster
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Members had coupons to use on snacks around Story Land, but the favorite was the fudge counter with way too many tempting flavors.
By late afternoon, a private catering area opened to ACE for dinner. With a cash bar and a new set of park goodies to auction off, the dinner allowed members to relax, appreciate some free goodies at the table and take advantage of time to socialize. Once dinner was ready, attendees enjoyed a very special meal: grilled steak, grilled chicken with pesto and grilled salmon. Throw in some great sides and a sundae bar and Story Land proved it knew how to impress when it comes to event meals. The auction items included a rare sculpture off the park’s unique carousel. (Wow!) Assistant General Manager Pam Gralenski and Director of Marketing Lauren Hawkins made all attendees feel especially welcome.
Story Land impressed members with a sensational meal in a beautiful setting.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Story Land’s Lauren Hawkins and Pam Gralenski accepted the host plaque.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Following the park’s close, Roar-O-Saurus was available for ERT. The 2014 woodie from The Gravity Group packs some great punch in a small layout. Joining the ERT were two cute family attractions: Farm Tractors and Turtle Twirl.
Roar-O-Saurus
Photo: Cheri Armstrong. View full-sized image.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
The third co-host welcomed ACE on Sunday. Santa’s Village charmed ACEers from the second they walked in. The day was wonderfully packed with memorable moments.
ERT included not only the park’s two coasters (Rudy’s Rapid Transit and Poogee Penguin’s Spin Out Coaster), but also the Antique Autos, which feature some aesthetic touches that reflect New Hampshire, not to mention a fun car wash that has drivers forging on through funny bubbles.
Rudy’s Rapid Transit
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
Poogee Penguin’s Spin Out
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
ACEers gathered close to the beautiful clock tower near the front of the park for the opening show and group photo. Nice surprises were the performers joining attendees for the photo and the park making it snow just for the occasion.
Santa's Village Cool Perks: An exclusive private takeover of the Sugar n’ Spice Bake Shop was an ACE highlight. Following that, attendees had an opportunity to feed the live reindeer for free.
Parks often show great hospitality with fun goodies and treats — and Santa’s Village had coupons that clearly provided that — but the social within the Sugar n’ Spice Bake Shop was really something. Akin to the notion of being a kid in a candy store, ACEers enjoyed the shop all to themselves. Can’t decide? The lovely ladies behind the counter made sure you got both. Attendees opting for a gingerbread man were able to decorate it at a designated icing table. Fun!
Exclusive ACE time in the Sugar n’ Spice Bake Shop was a treat!
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Once again, more nifty auction items were on display. Some ride wheels and beautiful signs made for great souvenirs. Wait, what’s this? Antlers? Anyone who could fit it in their luggage (or car) made off with a real keepsake. In all, the entire conference raised $1,055 for ACE’s designated funds.
From the Bake Shop, many attendees strolled down to the reindeer stables for the opportunity to feed the reindeer for free (usually a small upcharge).
Photo: Cheri Armstrong. View full-sized image.
In a final welcome, everyone gathered inside one of the park’s theaters to hear a bit from the second-, third- and fourth-generation owners of Santa’s Village. Christian Gainer, son of Mike and Elaine Gainer, greeted the audience, as did many family members. Following a short history presentation, management opened it up to questions and answers, and ACE gained further insight into this magical little park.
Multiple generations of the Gainer family welcomed ACE.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Depending upon travel schedules, the rest of the day was free to explore the park — whether it was to find all the letters in the Elfabet (and everyone wanted to) or to get to all the holiday-esque rides.
Photo: Cheri Armstrong. View full-sized image.
Whether attendees cashed in their photo coupon on the Yule Log Ride or with Santa himself, that snapshot served as a tangible reminder of what a great weekend the 2019 ACE Summer Conference proved to be. Quite often events can be about massive, towering coaster collections or the latest high-speed thriller. This conference delved into the special qualities of smaller parks, each with its own character. Attendees visiting for the first time were tremendously thankful that they finally made it.
— Tim Baldwin
ACE News Editor
To see the group photos, go to: galleries.aceonline.org.
@#$%&!
#ACENews