ACE Southeast: Rip Roarin’ Rampage

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originally posted on 7/22/2022

Photo: Josh Herrington. View full-sized image.

Twenty-three ACE members and a guest had a rip-roarin’ time on July 2, 2022, at the annual Rip Roarin’ Rampage event at Alabama Adventure. After a two-year hiatus, it was nice to get back to Bessemer and see all of the massive improvements that had occurred over the past few years. Event check-in started when the park opened, so attendees had plenty of time to wander both the amusement park and the waterpark at their leisure. ACE’s traveling photo exhibit and General Manager Michael Schwitek’s enormous Lego amusement park were set up at the park for all park guests to check out when seeking a much-needed reprieve from the scorching Alabama sun.

ACE Photo Exhibit
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.

General Manager Michael Schwitek shared his Lego amusement park with attendees.
Photo: Josh Herrington. View full-sized image.

Those needing a break from the heat could duck into the waterpark.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.

An afternoon behind-the-scenes tour for those who were interested took place, and attendees were treated to great views of several additions to the park. Never-before-seen views of Rampage were on tap owing to some extensive tree clearing around the coaster, and a few test runs of the park’s new wild mouse coaster, Cheddar Chase, teased everyone as they passed by.

Back area tours are always fun.
Photo: Josh Herrington. View full-sized image.

Rampage.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.

As the tour came to a close, attendees gathered on Main Street at the park’s Star Theater for fun, food and games while the park was cleared of the general public. A 90-years-young Pat Koch made the trip from Indianapolis to welcome everyone and thank them for their unwavering support of their family and parks throughout the years. While attendees enjoyed their dinner, Schwitek and Operations Manager Tony Sanders played a Q&A game with everyone (and one serious game of rock, paper, scissors!) for prizes ranging from old blueprints to ride signs and even a few old Visionland cash bags. As dinner ended, the first-ever Byron Hughes Memorial Award was presented to Becky Holcomb for continuing the fun-loving enthusiasm for life and all things ACE, a quality that the award’s namesake was always known for.

Josh Herrington and Becky Holcomb.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.

Pat Koch.
Photo: Josh Herrington. View full-sized image.

General Manager Michael Schwitek.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.

Night ERT started off on the newly finished, new-for-2022, Cheddar Chase, on which ACE members were the first public riders. After Cheddar Chase ERT ended, everyone moved to Rampage for the last hour of ERT. Shrieks of laughter pierced the dark Alabama sky as riders hopped from seat to seat and experienced one of the best wooden coasters in the world!