originally posted on 10/9/2020
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
With the hot summer days long gone and leaves turning, that means two things are right around the corner: fall and Daredevil Daze at Six Flags St. Louis.
On Saturday, September 19, 54 ACE members and guests from 11 states descended on Eureka, Missouri, for a day full of coasters, plenty of rides and a few surprises. That morning, everyone was greeted with gorgeous weather and a walkback to the park’s Batman: The Ride for a first ride of the day. With a thrilling first ride to kick off all the fun, Daredevil Daze attendees were let loose on the rest of Six Flags St. Louis to ride Ninja, River King Mine Train, The Boss, Pandemonium, Boomerang, Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast, American Thunder and the classic John Allen-designed Screamin’ Eagle.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
Lunch was served in the World’s Fair Picnic Grove and Six Flags gave attendees a gift bag with an appropriate-for-2020 Six Flags face mask. To cap off the meal, everyone was treated to a local specialty: Ted Drews Frozen Custard.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Three objects covered up on the edge of the picnic pavilion were revealed once everyone was seated. When the covers were removed, attendees could see three of the horses from the park’s Philadelphia Toboggan Company #35 Grand Ole Carousel dating back to 1915. Six Flags St. Louis closed the carousel last winter to begin a very much-needed, multiyear restoration project. The carousel began its life at Cleveland’s Luna Park before heading to Puritas Springs Park (Cleveland) and Russell’s Point (Ohio) before heading to Missouri in 1971. The Grand Ole Carousel has 65 hand-carved horses and two chariots. The entirety of the carousel is being stripped, repaired, conserved and finally repainted.
Three covered objects intrigued attendees.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Six Flags’ Megan Rhodes spoke on the park’s dedication in restoring the historic Grand Ole Carousel.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
Megan Rhodes, a member of the maintenance department, is leading the effort and spoke about all the work being put into the Grand Ole Carousel. She showed a fully stripped horse, a repaired-and-primed horse and a horse that was in the process of being painted. During this process, each horse will be given a name and a theme to fit with the westward expansion that made St. Louis the Gateway City. The horse in the process of being painted was named “Nelson” after George Washington’s steed and given a patriotic theme. Six Flags has the first completed horse named “Able” — as it showed that they were able to do this work in house — on display in a temperature-controlled building next to the Grand Ole Carousel. It is expected that the restoration process will take two years.
A finished horse is on display in the park.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
Once lunch and the presentation were over, everyone was left to explore the park, taking in ride after ride on this lightly attended fall day. Six Flags St Louis closed to the public at 7 p.m., and that is when the real fun began. With just 54 people spread between The Boss and Screamin’ Eagle for the first 45 minutes of exclusive ride time, it was not hard to get more than a few laps on the wonderful wooden coasters that fill the back of the park. Attendees then headed down the hill to finish the night with snacks, drinks, Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast and American Thunder for another 45 minutes of lap after lap.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
The event ended with night ERT on multiple coasters.
Photo: Paul Drabek. View full-sized image.
The day was a wonderful break from the real world and a great day at the park, with plenty of rides for all. Anyone wishing to make Daredevil Daze a part of his or her coaster season should keep September 2021 penciled in for next year.
— Paul Drabek, ACE Heart of America Regional Representative
@#$%&!
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