ACE South Central: Winterfest 2022 Brightens the Chill

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originally posted on 2/18/2022 1:16:00 AM

ACE’s Winterfest took place in Fiesta Texas’ Zaragoza Theater.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.

Texan enthusiasts have been gathering in the offseason since the 1980s. Now, the Lone Star State doesn’t really have an offseason, but ACEers from the area (and beyond) have continued to enjoy the regional event, called Winterfest since the 1990s. This year saw the largest attendance yet.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio) is launching its 30th anniversary season. On January 22, with presenters included, 180 attendees gathered in the park’s massive Zaragoza Theater. Temperatures were below normal, but the event was indoors. Oddly, the first half of the event seemed unusually chilly, as those in the audience continued to stay bundled up inside. That didn’t stop the fun, and the theater seemed more comfortable in the afternoon.

Jeffrey Siebert.
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Once technology cooperated, Siebert shared the amazing season the park would have for its 30th anniversary.
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.

Following a 2021 video/photo recap of ACE South Central events, host park Fiesta Texas began presentations. The ever-lovable Jeffrey Siebert conveyed details of the year-long happenings at the park. Numerous events, park upgrades and reflections on 30 years of history will stretch over the entire season, but the big news is Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger. Siebert shared new “drone animation” of the ride, as well as a projected timetable for fans to watch the ride go up in its construction phase. By spring break, most of the ride should be physically in place, although weeks of follow-up work will still need to take place.

Down the road is ZDT’s (Seguin). Regional members have taken a liking to its owners, and Danny and Sarah Donhauser shared the enhancements to their property. The large indoor recreational space has received a lot of aesthetic work, and the world’s only wooden shuttle coaster, Switchback, has had a lot of new ipe wood placed on the ride’s layout. The park has also accommodated coaster fans by making a “Switchback only” wristband available if riding the coaster is one’s only objective.

In interesting news, the park was used in filming an HBO movie called “Love and Death.”

The Donhausers from ZDT’s informed attendees that they were a filming location for HBO.
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Brad Malone of Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington) announced Lone Star Coasterthon dates of August 27 and 28 this year. While earlier than its typical September spot, the park was focusing on being able to offer night ERT, owing to the fact that the expanded Fright Fest dates prevented that in the past. August temperatures should make re-rides on the new Aquaman Power Wave even more fun. First up though is the opening of Pirates of Speelunkers Cave earlier in the spring. The park — and certainly locals — is very excited about this project.

Matt Hughey has become quite the presenter. As he continues his new role at COTALand (Austin), he shared some hilarious stories of the challenges of buying used rides. Many of the park’s rides have been delivered and were operational for Circuit of the America’s Peppermint Parkway. The opening of COTALand itself doesn’t have a set target date. Hughey indicated there may be some previews, but with its signature coaster, Palindrome, expected to be completed in the fall, the park may opt to make its grand opening in that timeframe. A new flume will be included in the ride package, and attendees were quite wowed at the video of SkyBlazer, a 16-person Skycoaster-type ride. COTALand will be the first to debut it. The park’s other three coasters, including a relocated Schwarzkopf Wildcat, are already operational. A tease for a 2023 coaster was slipped in there as well. (It sounds as if it could be something notable.)

Matt Hughey from COTALand was a fun presenter.
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Keith Herrmann of the Landry properties in the Houston area shared that the three-property weekend pass still looked to be happening this year. Iron Shark at the Historical Galveston Island Pleasure Pier is receiving a new LED light package similar to that for The Monster at Adventureland (Altoona, Iowa). At Kemah Boardwalk, Saltgrass Steakhouse is being relocated and another restaurant is being torn down to make room for more attractions. Hmmm.

Brad Malone, Six Flags Over Texas.
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Alex Ramsey, Alabama Adventure.
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Keith Herrmann, Landry’s properties.
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Carl Foy, Big Rivers.
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Chuck Cureau and Ray Gonzalez from SeaWorld San Antonio were in great form as they tag teamed their presentation. The madcap fun gave information about the park events, plus two big attractions. Aquatica is receiving Riptide Race, a dueling waterslide. SeaWorld San Antonio will be opening Tidal Surge, the tallest S&S Screamin’ Swing to date. It is positioned on the edge of the park’s central lake. Both new attractions are expected to be ready in March.

SeaWorld’s Chuck Cureau and Ray Gonzalez were a fun tag team that kept attendees entertained.
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Winterfest has a knack for always having new presenters, even with more than a quarter century of gatherings. Maintaining that streak, new this year were Big Rivers in New Caney (near Houston) and Natural Bridge Caverns (on the northern edge of San Antonio’s sprawl).

Carl Foy of Big Rivers gave most ACEers a first look of what the property entailed. The waterpark is its largest component. However, Gator Bayou lets guests interact with alligators, plus burn off energy on ropes and zipline attractions. The facility is building a ride park called Big Rivers Fairgrounds, which will be included with the waterpark admission. Eleven rides will include an SBF spinner (with hamster wheel). It was delivered to the property after being on the IAAPA Expo trade show floor.

Big Rivers is part of the Grand Texas complex. Announced several years ago, a theme park is still in the plans, according to Foy. He asked for patience as, financially, the growth all happens a step at a time, but he is confident it will happen in the future.

Winter Prosapio’s “People of ACE” was a welcome return.
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Natural Bridge Caverns might seem to be a perplexing fit for coaster enthusiasts, but not so much when two honorary ACE members are at the helm of the renowned facility. Terri Adams of Schlitterbahn fame now serves as general manager. Winter Prosapio was brought into the marketing role, and the industry veteran shared interesting things about the property, including the world’s largest ropes course that featured coaster-esque zipline elements. ACEers should watch for more things at Natural Bridge Caverns, as it undergoes plans for expanding the surface options to increase the length of stay.

Presentations came from outside the region, as well.

Alex Ramsey flew in to present for Alabama Adventure (Bessemer). The park is adding an L&T Systems Wild Mouse (relocated from Lake Winnepesaukah, Rossville, Georgia), where it will be known as Cheddar Chase. The coaster addition is one of four announcements for the upcoming season. The waterpark is the primary draw, but Ramsey assured everyone that the ride side is considered very important, and a larger coaster is planned for the future. Cheddar Chase is aimed to be a family ride filling the void between the park’s Wacky Worm coaster and the powerful Rampage.

The unflappable Pete Owens from Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) wasn’t about to let changes to his scheduled live appearance stop him, so he did a Zoom presentation. The longtime friend to ACE didn’t talk rides (yet) so much as the necessary infrastructure to the park and employee needs but did showcase some of the park’s popular drone show and the plans for the second hotel on property. ACE will be visiting the park for Coaster Con 45.

Dollywood’s Pete Owens.
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Kris Rowberry brought in NRCMA merchandise for sale.
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As a member of the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA) board, Owens joined Kris Rowberry for a presentation on what was happening at the NRCMA facility in Plainview, Texas. For those who did not attend last year’s West Texas Roundup, attendees were able to see a lot of the progress and cool stuff that has taken place at the museum. Rowberry also had NRCMA souvenir items for purchase in the Zaragoza lobby for those who wished to support the museum’s efforts.

Two parks sent in brief recorded presentations. Schlitterbahn’s Aaron Martinez spoke from the Schlitterbahn Galveston Island park, and first-time presenter Traders Village (Grand Prairie, Texas) had Amusement Park Director (and ACEer) Steve Thomas tour Prairie Screamer, which is under construction in the rides area of the flea market. Coaster fans will remember this wild ride from its former home, Scandia Amusement Park in California.

However, there is so much more to Winterfest than just presentations. In a moment of creative fun, when it came time for lunch, Dr. Diabolical herself took the stage, addressed the audience and with a wave of her hand raised the curtain for attendees to see numerous tables set up. Lunch on the stage! Chicken alfredo topped the menu, and tiramisu cake conquered the sweet tooth at the end.

Dr. Diabolical introduced lunch …
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… which took place on the stage.
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This annual event is often a time to bestow awards. With travel restrictions and staffing and all sorts of pandemic whatnot, there was even more to make up for this year. Recognizing its strong volunteers and notable members, the Golden Track Award was given to a pair of individuals who exemplify everything this award represents. Donnie Ratliff and Brian Schrimsher both received this well-deserved acknowledgment.

Industry Appreciation Awards were given to Danny and Sarah Donhauser of ZDT’s (2021) and Keith Herrmann of Kemah Boardwalk (2022).

A biggie — and one that was a long time in being presented — was an ACE Honorary Membership to Winter Prosapio, formerly of Schlitterbahn and now Natural Bridge Caverns. It was great to hear her say “People of ACE” (a catchphrase of hers in her presentations around the country) once again. She was visibly moved.

Award recipients were (l to r) Danny and Sarah Donhauser (Industry Appreciation 2021), Keith Herrmann (Industry Appreciation 2022), Winter Prosapio (Honorary Member), Donnie Ratliff and Brian Schrimsher (Golden Track Award).
Photo: S. Madonna Horcher. View full-sized image.

Everyone was able to receive a selection from an abundance of items on the door prize table. However, thanks to the generosity of multiple presenters, attendees went home with an armful of swag — hats, tickets, bottles, keychains, pins and more. It was an amazing haul, and enthusiasts were appreciative.

Some specific items had been donated by parks and ACEers for auction. The selection ranged from park signage to collector plates, two kinds of wood from Switchback and a rare bottle of wine (with a coaster label). Thanks to the generosity of these individuals and parks, as well as eager bidders, the sum approached $1,600 for the NRCMA. Combined with ticket sales for a raffle drawings, the grand total for the day was an impressive $2,200!!

A bottle of wine donated from COTALand was just one of multiple auction items.
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Typically Winterfest includes a game. While those are fun, particularly when the game can include the whole audience, a different kind of fun had to be worked into the schedule instead — a parade. A large portion of attendees opted to ride the Mardi Gras floats as they paraded through Rockville. It was fun to either throw the beads or be on the street to catch them from fellow ACEers.

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Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.

Following the parade, attendees were escorted over to see the first pieces of Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger in place. It is sure to dramatically change the skyline and sightlines of various areas of the park.

Touring the new ride site allowed ACEers to see the first track pieces installed.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.

Concluding the night was a surprise after-closing ERT on Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster and multiple samples of Cajun cuisine.

It was a day full of great camaraderie, fun, surprises and perks. Winterfest continues to delight and live up to its reputation. Attendees were appreciative of all the efforts put forth by host park Six Flags Fiesta Texas and for the numerous presenters who traveled in. Winterfest will take place at COTALand/Circuit of the Americas in 2023.

— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor