originally posted on 7/29/2024
All Photos: Scott Conley. View full-sized image.
On July 6, 61 ACE members and 23 guests came together at Lake Compounce (Bristol, Connecticut) for ACE Day at the Lake. Following registration, members had an hour and a half to enjoy the park and its collection of rides before lunch.
ACE members are always happy spending time at Lake Compounce, the country’s oldest continually operating amusement park.
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View full-sized image.
The meal was hosted in the picnic pavilion and the buffet did not disappoint. The buffet at Lake Compounce is one of the best park picnics anywhere to be found and featured tossed salad, chargrilled hamburgers, hot dogs, barbeque chicken, baked beans, macaroni and cheese and even a taco bar. It was no surprise that there was something for everyone.
For the 2024 season, Wildcat benefited from an extensive overhaul courtesy of The Gravity Group.
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ACE New England Regional Representative Karen April presented General Manager Doug Hemphill with a photo of Lake Compounce.
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General Manager Doug Hemphill spoke to everyone about his vision for the park and how he arrived in his position at Lake Compounce. After a Q&A, Karen April, ACE New England regional representative, presented Hemphill and Lake Compounce with a picture of the entrance to the park at night taken by Assistant Regional Representative Scott Conley (a photo that Conley entered in the ACE Photo Contest at Coaster Con 46). The photo was presented as a gesture of gratitude for the preservation of the park’s iconic Wildcat roller coaster, designed by Herbert Schmeck and constructed by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1927.
Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed the park’s classic Carousel, which dates back to 1898, and Phobia Phear Coaster.
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View full-sized image.
After lunch was over and the group photo had been taken, attendees were free to explore the park until its 9 p.m. closure. Fireworks began while everyone was preparing for ERT on Boulder Dash and Wildcat, and many agreed it was amazing to see them in the sky while flying along the coaster tracks.
Attendees agreed that night ERT on Boulder Dash is something special not to be missed.
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Anyone who has experienced Boulder Dash at night knows it is a vastly different ride than it is during the day. The darkness envelops riders, and they can barely see anything as the train navigates the hillside track. Unfortunately, Wildcat had an issue shortly after the start of ERT and had to shut down, but it didn’t dampen the fun since Boulder Dash was running so well! The ride operators were very efficient, making sure the ERT session went smoothly.
ACE New England extends gratitude to Lake Compounce for its generosity and a successful event.
— Karen April, ACE New England Regional Representative
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