originally posted on 7/14/2025
Photo: Brett Weissbart. View full-sized image.
Ravine Flyer Frenzy at Waldameer & Water World in Erie, Pennsylvania, is one of ACE Western Pennsylvania’s most anticipated events, but those who pay attention to its happening are mostly coaster enthusiasts. However, in 2025, Erie News Now got the word and invited Western Pennsylvania’s regional rep, Bill Linkenheimer III, to talk up the event during its “First at 4” program, which sent a larger message to the Erie community about ACE and the treasure of a park they have in Waldameer.
As the 155 attendees from 12 U.S. states and three countries approached the park on a bright, sunny June 7 to check in at the West Lakeview Grove, they were greeted not only by ACE volunteers and Waldameer employees but by a sky full of white cottony fluff falling from the sky. What? It was cottonwood tree shedding time, and the ground, all surfaces and attendees T-shirts soon became covered with fluff.
Ice cream for breakfast? It’s encouraged at Ravine Flyer Frenzy.
Photo: Amy Forsythe. View full-sized image.
No matter! After getting wristbands and greeting friends, attendees took advantage of Waldameer’s generous provision of coffee and doughnuts. The park also graciously donated Dippin’ Dots so that the Lucas family (who brought toppings) could serve Ice Cream for Breakfast, which they have done for 11 years. Donations for the ice cream support Give Kids The World, an Orlando nonprofit that offers children with life-threatening diseases and their families a cost-free week of fun and relaxation at the Orlando parks. This year, a record $505 was raised for this worthy cause.
The event began with ERT on Comet and Whacky Shack, much to the delight of attendees.
Photo: Sandy Schubert. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jenn Fortney. View full-sized image.
Because the lines to ride are always long, attendees were grateful for ERT on Whacky Shack, the classic Bill Tracy dark ride that opened at Waldameer in 1970 and is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year. Other Whacky Shacks were built, but Waldameer’s is the last one operating.
Comet.
Photo: Richard Koppelman. View full-sized image.
Photo: Amy Forsythe. View full-sized image.
Originally scheduled for ERT was Steel Dragon, the Maurer spinning coaster, which was down for a control system replacement. In its place, attendees enjoyed ERT on Comet, Herbert Schmeck’s classic wood coaster. The 90-minute morning ERT ended at noon, when Waldameer officially opened to the public.
An opportunity to cross Peninsula Drive and view Ravine Flyer II’s turnaround was afforded to attendees.
Photo: April Lucas. View full-sized image.
Photo: Mary Shewan. View full-sized image.
A behind-the-scenes experience was slated for the turnaround of Ravine Flyer II at 1 p.m. Attendees crossed Peninsula Drive and an overflow parking lot to reach an area where The Gravity Group’s terrain coaster could be seen emerging after the bridge tunnel road crossing. An outstanding spot for photo opportunities!
Waldameer’s two wood coasters factored heavily into the day’s plans, as well as the new Time Twister flat ride.
Photo: Sheree Smith. View full-sized image.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
Photo: Sandy Shubert. View full-sized image.
Nothing else was scheduled until dinner, so attendees could enjoy Water World and the park rides until then. Informal takeover times (ITOTs) were planned for the afternoon and evening on the L. Ruth Express (train), Pirate's Cove (a Bill Tracy dark walkthrough attraction), Giant Wheel, Dodgems, Thunder River (log flume) and Waldameer’s new-for-2025 thrill ride, Time Twister (a Zamperla Nebulaz, replacing the Spider). Always welcome for its overview of the park and a chance to chill is the Hopkins sky ride, which opened in 1978 and was the first ride installed by the late Paul Nelson after he took complete ownership of Waldameer.
Before dinner, the crowd was addressed by ACE Western Pennsylvania Regional Representative Bill Linkenheimer III, followed by the presentation of an ACE honorary membership to Waldameer president, Steve Gorman.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Photo: Sandy Schubert. View full-sized image.
Before dinner, a group photo was taken, and attendees gathered for a special presentation in which Linkenheimer introduced Josh Brown, ACE’s preservation and history director, who then introduced Elizabeth Ringas, ACE’s president. Ringas, who was a first-time attendee at a Ravine Flyer Frenzy, had come to enjoy the event but also to present an award.
Steve Gorman accepts his award from ACE President Elizabeth Ringas and Bill Linkenheimer III.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
To the surprise of the recipient and the delight of all, Ringas announced that Steve Gorman, Waldameer’s president, was made an honorary ACE member. Linkenheimer reviewed Gorman’s history at Waldameer and his staunch support of ACE, family parks, wood coasters and classic rides. Gorman is a perennial presenter at CoasterBash!, ACE Western Pennsylvania’s winter nonriding event, and has received the region’s Industry Appreciation Award for his support of ACE and its regional events. Gorman thanked everyone for coming to the park and expressed his appreciation to ACE for its support.
At 5 p.m. an all-you-can-eat picnic dinner kicked off, featuring chicken tenders, meatballs, roast beef, many sides, vanilla ice cream cups and soft drinks. During dinner, Linkenheimer thanked everyone for attending Ravine Flyer Frenzy, recognized his regional rep team and ACE volunteers and expressed his gratitude to Waldameer for its continuing support of this event.
Attendees found time to enjoy Waldameer’s smaller steel coasters, Ravine Flyer 3 (above) and Whirlwind (below), throughout the day.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Photo: Stacy Singer. View full-sized image.
Afterward, Gorman led a spirited game of Waldameer trivia. Prizes were retired pieces from Waldameer’s rides and attractions.
Even before ERT, attendees generally agreed that Ravine Flyer II was running in top form.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
It was a beautiful night to enjoy the park and any rides attendees had missed (or wanted to re-ride) before ERT on Ravine Flyer II began at 9 p.m. How to express in words the experience of riding this powerful, relentless coaster at night? Attendees had an hour to appreciate each ride, which began with a slow lift hill climb, followed by a quick view of Lake Erie from the top before crashing down the first drop and then flying through the tunnel that crosses Peninsula Drive. And that’s just the beginning. Trains were full of happy riders during ERT, and no one wanted the fun to end.
Waldameer’s well-rounded collection of rides old and new was a hit with attendees.
Photo: Dan Brewer. View full-sized image.
Photo: Dave Hahner. View full-sized image.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
As always, attendees were grateful to the regional rep team, the volunteers, Gorman and the staff at Waldameer for a happy event. And welcome, Steve Gorman, to the ACE honorary member family.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE News Managing Editor
#ACENews