originally posted on 9/10/2021
Photo: Joshua Taniwha. View full-sized image.
On a blissfully cloudy and cool August 28 (versus the brutally hot, sunny and humid summer days experienced so far this year), 72 ACE members arrived at Six Flags New England (SFNE) in Agawam, Massachusetts, to attend A Wicked Good Time With ACE, a regional event hosted by the park that was free to all ACE members.
A quick check-in began at 9:15 a.m. when members received their name badges. Attendees were then met by Communications Manager Jennifer McGrath, and before heading into the park, each guest received a coupon good for a free on-ride Wicked Cyclone photo, and the first of what will be a set of collectable cards, this one featuring Thunderbolt, SFNE’s ACE Roller Coaster Landmark awarded in 2005. Interestingly, the coaster’s original name in 1941 was Cyclone.
Wicked Cyclone
Photos: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
The day began with a behind-the-scenes photo op of Wicked Cyclone. Before the picture taking began, attendees were led up the exit ramp to witness how the transfer track operated when adding or removing a train from the track. Members were then divided into two groups — riders and photographers.
With both trains operating, two circuits of each train were run. Slightly more than half the group chose to ride first, nearly filling both trains (48 available seats). Photographers were guided to the area between the coaster and Agawam’s Main Street by Maintenance Project Manager Joshua Taniwha. They were able to get shots and video from areas not available to the public. It was a great experience to get up close and personal to Wicked Cyclone, in spite of remaining behind its perimeter fence.
Photographers and riders switched roles, and after double circuits of rides for the second group were completed, it was nearing time for the general public to enter the park and for ACE’s group to move along with the itinerary.
All the riders and photographers assembled at the entrance to Wicked Cyclone and were escorted to Thunderbolt for an informal takeover time (ITOT). The 80-year-old, figure-eight coaster was running well!
Thunderbolt
Photo: Rus Ozana. View full-sized image.
Following the Thunderbolt ride, attendees gathered in The Grove picnic area for a Q&A with McGrath, Park President Pete Carmichael, Director of Marketing Mike Cianciola and Taniwha. Upon entering the pavilion, each ACE member received two exit passes and a red raffle ticket for prizes to be announced. Questions for the park reps had been submitted ahead of time, and the most-asked question was in regard to Goliath, the standing-but-not-operating Vekoma giant inverted boomerang that has not run at all this season. While rumors abound that it is going to be removed, its current status was only acknowledged by the park reps, and no information on its future was available at the time. Other questions covered subjects from “How do I get a job doing what you do?” to “Was preparation for park opening very different post-pandemic versus opening after being closed for a regular (winter), off-season?”
Four lucky ACEers were winners of a drawing offered by the park. Four pieces of formerly used seat belts — two from Wicked Cyclone, two from Superman The Ride — were placed in plastic cases with identification of which coaster they were from. (This writer, who never wins anything, held the ticket with the last number called, for a piece from Wicked Cyclone.)
The final item on the agenda was a group photo in the DC Universe section of the park in front of the Superman statue and the new-for-2021 Supergirl Sky Flyer. Once photographed, attendees extended extra thanks to the hosts and joined in a chorus of “Happy Birthday” to SFNE’s Taniwha (who took the group photo). ACEers were then free to enjoy the rest of the park for the day. With those two exit passes in hand, groups of four family members and/or friends could score up to eight rides without waiting in the regular queue! Big thanks went to Six Flags for that wonderful perk.
— Rus Ozana, ACE New England Regional Representative
@#$%&!
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