originally posted on 10/13/2025
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During Coaster Con 47’s business meeting at Six Flags Great America, it was announced that the ACE History Team would start honoring all roller coasters that have achieved 100 years of service with the Centennial Award. With the 2025 ACE Preservation Conference being held in Southern California, it was only fitting that Giant Dipper at Belmont Park, which turned 100 in 2025, would be the inaugural recipient.
Sunday of Preservation Con started off with a tour in, under and around Giant Dipper, followed by lunch on the Coaster Terrace and presentations. The Prior and Church Giant Dipper has surely had its share of ups and downs, closing in December 1976 and reopening in August of 1990, thanks to the grassroots effort of the Save the Coaster Committee. Seeing it still thrill riders 100 years later at Belmont Park is the heart of the Centennial Award. Throughout the next few years nominations for the Centennial Award will continue as we honor all of the other coasters worldwide that have reached this milestone.
ACE officials present the Centennial Award to Belmont Park for Giant Dipper.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
Special thanks to the ACE History Committee, David Hahner III, Jason Wright, Dan Jones, Derek Perry, Tim Cole, Jackie Edwards, Jimmy Titko and Belmont Park for all of their help and support to make this a success.
— Josh Brown, ACE History and Preservation Director
#ACENews