originally posted on 7/24/2020
Quassy Amusement Park.
Photo by Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Plans for this event began last November. In a poll of regional members, there was a preference for a combination event with the two Connecticut parks, Quassy Amusement Park (Middlebury) and Lake Compounce (Bristol). The plan included both parks, two meals, two ERT sessions on three roller coasters, a full day of ACE members, friends and family camaraderie!
Then the COVID-19 virus arrived.
The first casuality was the date of the event, originally to be held in early June. Lake Compounce announced there would be no catered outings until July, so the date was changed. The next casualty was the buffet dinner itself. As the virus spread, it was best not to offer group dinners.
Another poll was taken considering the fierceness of the virus and the change in meal plans, essentially asking, “If we hold the event, will you attend?” Estimated attendance dropped dramatically, to the point where the parks were asked to consider a much smaller group than originally planned. Both parks were agreeable.
Well, with ACE members being cooped up for four months, most not being able to visit their favorite parks or ride a roller coaster anywhere, the result was something totally unexpected. Once registration opened and the date approached, attendance swelled to 90, with registrations received from all six New England states, plus Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.
With bright sunshine and a forecast of temperatures in the mid-90s, the day began at 8:30 a.m. at Quassy, with free parking and registration check-in (where materials for both parks were distributed), followed by two hours of morning ERT on Wooden Warrior, the 2011 family-sized woodie from The Gravity Group, LLC. A group photo followed ERT, with all attendees instructed to stand as close to, or as far away from, others as they wanted. The result was quite successful and also captured the Timberliner train in action!
Vouchers were provided to attendees for a meal from the park’s restaurant, which offered “dinner baskets” the variety of which would please just about any palate (from salads to ribs). A beverage was also included — a choice between a large soft drink or a cup of beer.
With no organized activity at Lake Compounce until evening ERT after the park closed to the public, attendees were free to stay at Quassy for as long as they liked, before making the 37-minute drive to the second park of the event.
Lake Compounce.
Photo by Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Free parking and another food voucher were provided by Lake Compounce. Though they require a reservation to keep attendance at a reduced capacity, the gorgeous weather brought near-maximum crowds. The food voucher was good at several locations in the park, offering hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken strips and pizza. People dined in small groups at the tables offered outside the various dining establishments.
ACEers gathered in front of the Phobia Phear Coaster sign for another group photo as the park closed. Attendees moved on to the entrance area to Boulder Dash while the queue for it and for Phobia Phear Coaster were emptied of the general public. The 90-minute ERT session began at 7:30 on both coasters, along with a selection of snacks (churros, warm pretzels, cotton candy and bottles of water).
Face mask wearing was mandatory at both host parks, and the staff at each park did very well at enforcing that rule. The biggest question regarding the event was, “How do you socially distance people on a roller coaster?” At both parks, riders sat with one or two empty rows between them. Family groups (or “traveling groups”) were permitted to ride together without the spacing. And while this made for longer waits to ride, the spirits of the riders and the ride op, were at their usual all-time high.
Face masks are a new requirement for events and park visits. .
Photo by Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Missing from the event were the usual and familiar — a meal together in the picnic areas, door prizes, raffles, auction items, guest speakers and a chance to all socialize in one spot at the same time.
Not missing? The enthusiasm of ACE members doing what they love the most, being in a park together and riding coasters.
—Rus Ozana, ACE New England Regional Rep
@#$%&!
#ACENews