Coaster Con at Home: A Huge Success in Connecting ACEers While Apart

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originally posted on 7/3/2020

Thursday Group Shot
Screenshot: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.

Coaster Con at Home offered ACE members the opportunity to gather, socialize and celebrate roller coasters from the safety of their homes. Since Coaster Con 43 had to be delayed because of the current pandemic, it was important to ACE to offer something to its members, because this time has been so hard on everyone mentally.

As initial ideas came together, featuring the original host parks seemed to offer a great theme for the week. Technology was investigated, members began volunteering and ideas continued to evolve — Coaster Con at Home became a reality!

Kris Rowberry served as moderator to guide viewers through the annual business meeting.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

ACE President Robert Ulrich welcomes members to the meeting.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

The festivities kicked off Saturday, June 20, with the broadcast of the annual business meeting and the candidate platforms for members to watch via YouTube Live. Questions for the Executive Committee and candidates were fielded through YouTube’s comments or an email to the member verification team. For any members who missed the business meeting or other activities during the week, many are available on the Coaster Con at Home website to enjoy.

Association Manager Jeffrey Seifert participates in the annual business meeting.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

Jeff Niemiec was one of five candidates that fielded questions during the candidate platforms.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

Sunday brought the opening ceremony, which allowed for an introduction to the week’s activities and a coaster conversation, fulfilling one aspect of our hobby that is missed most — socialization around roller coasters. This ceremony officially kicked off voting for the photo contest and video contest as well as the beginning of the No Limits 2 re-creation contest. Later that evening, the first round of trivia quizzed participants’ knowledge of the Coaster Con 43 host parks, all of which are in Pennsylvania. Although technical difficulties plagued the round, a quick solution was found. Those who played found questions were challenging.

Each day of the week highlighted the park that would have hosted ACE for the day. Monday welcomed all to celebrate Hersheypark (Hershey) with a scavenger hunt that challenged members about aspects of the park using Google street view and a presentation by historian Harry Michelson. Another round of trivia went live testing ACE members’ knowledge.

Harry Michelson took viewers through the history of Hersheypark.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

Tuesday brought the focus to Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster) with another scavenger hunt, presentation by ACE member (and historian) B. Derek Shaw, a VRT session (virtual ride time) and an interview with Jim Bowe, director of maintenance. What fun it was to learn more about the park, its rides and how it is preparing to reopen.

Jim Bowe spotlighted what makes Dutch Wonderland so special.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

ACEers missed the opportunity to visit Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc (PTCI) this year, so on Wednesday a special message featuring President and CEO Tom Rebbie was given. In honor of the significant history PTCI plays in roller coaster history, a live round of trivia focused on ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks.

Craving more conversation? Thursday brought another coaster conversation that featured the “In Memoriam” slideshow and the end of voting for the photo and video contests. In addition, ACE members enjoyed a Dorney Park (Allentown) scavenger hunt and another round of trivia with questions based on past Coaster Cons.

Moderator Clint Novak interacted with participants on Thursday evening’s events.
Screenshot: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.

Friday took the event to Knoebels (Elysburg) through virtual activities with a scavenger hunt focused in the park, the end of voting in the No Limits 2 re-creation contest and an interview with Bill Galvin, a long-time ACE member passionate about Knoebels. This spring, “The Legacy of Arrow Development” documentary reached 500,000 views on YouTube. Coaster Con at Home was the perfect opportunity to celebrate this accomplishment with a new edition, a crew commentary that premiered Friday evening. At the time of airing, the documentary had reached 600,000 views!

Historian Bill Galvin shared his enthusiasm for Knoebels with other ACEers.
Screenshot: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.

SoCal Regional Rep Derek Perry moderated Friday’s activities.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

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After a busy week, Saturday brought the time to say goodbye with the closing ceremonies. Rick Knoebel joined the conversation to answer questions about Knoebels’ plans. Winners for all the competitions were announced, and conversations were wrapped up.

Rick Knoebel talked with ACEers to update them on what is happening at the park.
Screenshot: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.

The winning photo in the photo contest was taken by Ken Riling-Brewton. View full-sized image.

In addition to all the daily festivities, printable activities and loads of photos about which to reminisce were available on the Coaster Con at Home website and the ACE Facebook page. Facebook albums highlighted photos from past Coaster Cons, an art gallery featuring roller coaster-related artistic work from members and vintage items from the host parks.

Numerous members were involved in bringing the event to fruition. In complicated times when ACE members couldn’t be together, thanks to those involved, Coaster Con at Home served as a superb way to still stay connected.

— Elizabeth Ringas, Communications Director