originally posted on 9/3/2021 1:23:32 AM
Photo: Courtesy of Canobie Lake Park. View full-sized image.
It may have been sunny and hot between 9 and 9:30 a.m. as 36 ACE members and guests checked in at Canobie Lake Park on August 14. Once inside the Salem, New Hampshire, park, however, breezes off Canobie Lake and occasional dark clouds kept temperatures tolerable.
ERT on Yankee Cannonball and Untamed were first on the itinerary, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The park’s rides opened at 10, and park staff members were on hand to restrict the two coaster queues to the event participants, as the park was open to the public at 9:30. The ride ops were just as enthusiastic in getting riders on board and dispatched as attendees were to ride.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
ERT on Yankee Cannonball kicked things off at the event.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Everyone received two coupons at check-in that were good for free on-ride photos on the two coasters. The on-ride photo booth was new this season on Yankee Cannonball.
Between ERT and when lunch was served at noon, attendees were free to enjoy the other offerings of the park (including the arcade). The doors to the Dancehall Theater opened promptly at 12, and the wonderfully air-conditioned facility reminded everyone that despite the lake breezes, it was hot outside. A buffet of salads, pizzas and the sweetest, softest, gooiest chocolate chip cookies ever eaten by this writer were ready for consumption.
Canobie Lake Park's Chris Nicoli fields questions during the lunch time Q&A session.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Gooey cookies were a hit.
Photos: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
The park prepares for a drone group shot.
View full-sized image.
The Q&A session was hosted by Chris Nicoli, brand manager for Canobie Lake Park. The first question asked was about the status of Canobie Corkscrew, as it has been standing but not operating all season. Since there had been no official announcement (although there have been plenty of rumors), those in attendance were the first to learn, officially, that it is slated for removal. There is no timeline for its departure, and there were no hints given as to what might replace it — though there were several suggestions from the group.
The next question was “At which food stands in the park might one purchase the delicious pizza we’d been served?” Two locations were indicated. Immediately following was the question “Where in the park can we get those delicious chocolate chip cookies?” Answer: Right here, at this ACE event! They apparently were made special, just for the event. (Thank you, Canobie!)
With an early forecast of possible thunder showers in the afternoon, the 4 p.m. group photo time was changed to immediately following lunch. The photo was taken inside the Yankee Cannonball structure in the grassy area just behind the station. Not only did they have a photographer available for us (no handover of several cell phone cameras to get the shot!), but they also took a photo using a drone camera.
Attendees were escorted through the park, single file, exiting through the employee entrance, and up to a locked gate that went under the coaster track behind the administration building. The train would not operate while ACE members were inside this area, so it was interesting to see the general public in the Yankee Cannonball queue waiting, watching us assemble in just the right spot with the lift hill behind the group. The photographer took several shots, and then the drone was launched for a few quick shots. It was all accomplished in less than seven or eight minutes. Missing from the photo was the ACE “Ride With Us” banner, as it was set up on display for the day outside the coaster station.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
The next item on the itinerary was the behind-the-scenes tour of one of the Screeemfest Haunts, Canobie Lake Hotel. Again attendees were led, single file through the park, and once at the haunt, members were broken into four groups for the tour. It’s always interesting to see how these mazes are put together, with little back doors and quick, shortcut routes for the actors to move from one scene/section to another. Part of the tour included a Q&A with some of the makeup staff for the haunts, for both the in-house actors as well as the ones who walk throughout the park during Screeemfest. Preparations are already under way for this year, and attendees viewed work on some of the creatures/characters that are being created — and in some cases, repaired.
A tour of Canobie Lake Hotel was an event perk.
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
After the tour, attendees headed back to the Dancehall Theater for snacks and last-minute questions/answers. It was then off to enjoy the park for the remainder of the day.
ACE New England extended its deepest gratitude to Chris Nicoli, the haunted tour guides, lunch chefs/bakers, ride operators and the entire Canobie Lake Park team for a most memorable day at the park.
— Rus Ozana, ACE New England Regional Representative
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