originally posted on 7/1/2024
All Photos: Robert Ingle. View full-sized image.
On April 21, 63 ACE members and their families and friends gathered at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (California) on a delightful spring morning for the park’s annual Beach Boardwalk Bonanza. This year’s event was special because the 1924 Prior & Church Giant Dipper was celebrating its 100th birthday!
The 2024 season will be a special one at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk owing to the 100th anniversary of Giant Dipper.
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View full-sized image.
Attendees were given beautifully themed name badges and access to 90 minutes of ERT on the 100-year-old ACE Roller Coaster Landmark. Most rides were just one time around the track, but several rides included two consecutive laps. Before heading to Cocoanut Grove for lunch, the group gathered for photos in front of the new murals commemorating Giant Dipper’s birthday.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Archivist Jessie Durant provided an overview of Giant Dipper’s century-long history.
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Following the group photo, attendees headed upstairs to the Cocoanut Grove’s ballroom for a buffet lunch featuring fajitas, salad and an impressive array of desserts that included ICEE-flavored cotton candy, It’s-It ice cream sandwiches and the park’s legendary deep-fried cheesecake. After the meal, Kris Reyes introduced Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Archivist Jessie Durant, who gave a presentation about Giant Dipper’s history.
Giant Dipper is among the last remaining examples of seaside wood coasters that dotted California’s coastline, and ACEers are always happy to celebrate its excellence.
View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Not long after the 2024 edition of Beach Boardwalk Bonanza, 16 ACE members (and their families and friends) gathered once again at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on May 18 for an informal event to celebrate Giant Dipper’s official 100th birthday, highlighted by an informal takeover of the ride. The coaster’s official birthday ended with a fireworks display, with those in attendance having found a great spot to enjoy the show before ending the day.
— Liz Tan, ACE Northern California Regional Representative
#ACENews