originally posted on 10/13/2023
Photo: Evangelos Ringas. View full-sized image.
Fifteen ACE members and three guests attended Wild West Fun Day at Adventure Park USA (Monrovia, Maryland) on August 19. The park’s chief executive, Erik Stottlemyer, is a big fan of ACE and is always happy to host the club. The weather was fantastic this year — a welcome change from last year’s rainout.
The day began with an unexpected surprise — another event taking place at the park featuring classic cars and even a military tank.
Photo: Karyn Hartman. View full-sized image.
When pulling into the parking lot that morning, it quickly became apparent that another event was taking place. There was a huge military tank on display and vintage autos and sports cars dispersed not only in the parking lot, but throughout the outdoor areas of the park. Despite many coaster enthusiasts not being car enthusiasts, the display certainly sparked a few conversations.
Once inside the park, attendees enjoyed ERT on Wild West Express and Wildcat.
Photos: Evangelos Ringas. View full-sized image.
Wildcat was not quite ready at 10:30 a.m., but attendees were directed to Wild West Express (a Zamperla coaster that formerly operated as Windstorm at Old Town in Kissimmee, Florida), where everyone enjoyed a couple of private rides. Attendees then ventured to the beloved Wildcat, a Schwarzkopf that was brought to the park by Stottlemyer in 2007. The coaster originally debuted at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Virginia) and had been relocated three times, last operating at Williams Grove Amusement Park (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania). The park is responsible for a marvelous job restoring the coaster, as has been demonstrated and discussed during ACE’s many events over the past 15 years.
Tumbleweed opening a few minutes before the park opened its gates meant attendees could enjoy all three coasters prior to the general public arriving, while the Spin Zone Bumper Cars were a highlight during regular operating hours.
Photos: Evangelos Ringas. View full-sized image.
Most attendees then meandered over to the Tumbleweed kiddie coaster, queuing up a few minutes before the park officially opened to the public. It took a while for everyone to ride, as only three adults could ride at one time, plus the operator let the train go around seven times each cycle. Attendees then enjoyed some of the park’s flat rides such as the Tilt-a-Whirl and the Scrambler.
Adventure Park USA may be small, but it is big on its attention to detail, as illustrated by its Tilt-A-Whirl and Mini-Himalaya flat rides.
Photo: Karyn Hartman. View full-sized image.
Photo: Karyn Hartman. View full-sized image.
Lunch was a big hit, highlighted by plenty of BBQ, mac and cheese, green beans, cookies and soft drinks. While the shelter was shared with another corporate group, everyone was appreciative of the park waiving the normal minimum requirement for a catered meal. The park has a new general manager (Jason Branchman) and catering manager (Brandon) who really appreciated the opportunity to host ACE members and guests. They also gave ACE a great deal — The entire cost of the event, which included the meal, ERT and an arcade card in addition to the ride pass — was less than the normal cost of an all-day ride pass.
The backstage tour permitted attendees the opportunity to see the park’s newly expanded maintenance workshop and how rides and attractions are kept in prime operating condition.
Photo: Evangelos Ringas. View full-sized image.
Photo: Karyn Hartman. View full-sized image.
The highlight of the day for several ACE members was the backstage tour. Stottlemyer normally leads it, but he was out sick on event day, so in his place was chief maintenance and ride ops lead, Miguel, did the honors. Miguel took attendees into the maintenance workshop, which had been recently expanded and modernized to more than twice its former size. He explained how all of the maintenance for rides and arcades was done in house and showed the group another Wildcat car that the park plans to use on the coaster for two-car operation next year. The second half of the tour was a venture into the restricted area of Wildcat for some photo opportunities and a close look at the chain house. Throughout, Miguel talked passionately about the park and his role in maintaining it, and several attendees walked away with coaster wheels.
ACE Mid-Atlantic looks forward to more ACE members, especially those who have never previously visited the park, joining for the next installment of this annual event in August 2024.
— Evangelos Ringas, ACE Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative
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