originally posted on 10/7/2024
Photo: Jeff Braziel. View full-sized image.
As August begins to wind down, Texans are more than ready to say goodbye to the heat. Sure, they know to expect it each year, but it wears on people after several weeks.
What better way to beat the heat than to hang out with fellow ACEers at a waterpark event. The second-annual Aloha Con took place on August 24. With 33 attendees, it was a nice-sized group to catch up on things, socialize and jump in the water every now and then.
Hawaiian Falls are a group of neighborhood community waterparks. Last year’s event was in Waco, and this year’s event was at the park in Roanoke, a suburb of Fort Worth.
Hawaiian Falls hosts Shawn Dowdy and Ron McKenzie welcomed ACEers.
Photos: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
ACE South Central regional reps and volunteers checked everyone in and distributed all-day drink bottles, “beverage” tickets and even a lei. As event values go, this one was unbeatable. Even with online fees, the price was less than 30 bucks and included admission, ERT (exclusive ride time), breakfast, lunch, the aforementioned refreshments and more.
Ron McKenzie is the chief marketing officer for ProParks. With a long career at Six Flags, he had established a great relationship with ACEers. In this newer role, the invitation to ACE members to chill out on the summer day to just appreciate each other’s company was a perfect reason to create Aloha Con.
Prior to park opening, the wave pool and certain slide towers were open to attendees.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Chicken sandwiches, fresh fruit and coffee welcomed attendees upon entrance to the park, and then the wave pool and a couple of tower slides were opened just for ACE. Following ERT, attendees had use of a reserved pavilion for the whole day.
A catered lunch with barbequed sliders allowed everyone to be welcomed by McKenzie as well as Operations Manager Shawn Dowdy, who had been with Hawaiian Falls for 17 years. She couldn’t have been more welcoming.
A trivia challenge (to see who had been paying attention) was given, a group photo was taken and interested attendees could peek at the upcoming attraction from ProSlide, a children’s Tornado Wave.
ACEers and guests had one last thing to enjoy in the afternoon. The schedule referred to it as a “snack.” Most people were able to stay around — and the snack was worth it! Dowdy has a side gig catering charcuterie boards, and she made a special one just for ACE. It was beautiful, and everyone enjoyed perusing all the options before sampling the plethora of goodies.
Photo: Jeff Braziel. View full-sized image.
Dowdy’s impressive charcuterie board was both beautiful and delicious.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Raffi Kilejian and Bryant Yeager shared the prize for the trivia contest — both with perfect scores.
Whether attendees traveled a few miles or a few hours, Aloha Con was a superb way for ACEers to chill out. Everyone thanked our gracious hosts, McKenzie and Dowdy, for a very needed break from the heat.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
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