originally posted on 11/17/2025
Photo: Evangelos Ringas. View full-sized image.
This two-part article about the last operating day of Six Flags America was written by Sam Marks, a member of the ACE Mid-Atlantic region who was present for the park’s opening day as a Six Flags park, and Evangelos Ringas, the Mid-Atlantic regional rep, both of whom have a long history with Six Flags America and were present on its final day.
The day we wished would never come…
November 2, 2025 (my birthday).
As we got in the car, I sighed and then hit the gas to head to Six Flags America for our last day at the park. I’ve been coming to this park since the day the late ACE President Ray Ueberroth rode in the inaugural ride on The Wild One in 1986. I was even offered a job in the diving show but had to say no because I lived well over two hours away by public transport.
So many memories flashed through my mind. Many of The Wild One. The several modifications to the ride, although for some were unpopular, had to be made or it would have been too expensive to operate and might have been torn down. I remember when it nearly burned down owing to a wildfire behind it, where the Gotham City section is now. Fortunately, the fire department caught it in time.
An amazing turn of events caused our little park to become a Six Flags park. I was there on opening day, May 8, 1999. Because of a scanner fumble in the line next to me, my pass was the first scanned and I was the first person through the gates.
Twenty-six years later, we’re here to bid a fond farewell to Six Flags America, our home park and the place where I met, dated and eventually married my husband.
ACEers stopped by before the park opened for an informal tailgate.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
The line to enter the park was long and remained long all day.
Photo: Sam Marks. View full-sized image.
The day began with an ACE Mid-Atlantic tailgate get-together in the parking lot, something I thought went quite well and hope the region does again soon. About 40 ACEers stopped by. Then a line formed outside security, waiting for the park to open the outer plaza. Passes and tickets were scanned, and finally we entered the park. The gate opened 30 minutes prior to the planned 11 a.m. opening.
Firebird.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
Roar.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
The Wild One.
Photo: Evangelos Ringas. View full-sized image.
The platform was full for The Wild One all day and evening.
Photo: Evangelos Ringas. View full-sized image.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.
None of us really expected a huge crowd — none of us except park management. They added a second train to Firebird and Roar and put up extended queue barriers on other coasters, which came in handy. I heard many estimates of ride times during the day, with Superman Ride of Steel and The Wild One being well over an hour. During the day, regional members attempted to get together for a few informal takeover times. Many gathered to start the day at The Wild One, an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark.
Numerous vloggers and members of other coaster organizations were present to get one last visit and a few rides on their favorites.
Many waited so The Wild One would be their last ride.
Photo: Sam Marks. View full-sized image.
Sam Marks and Al Clowe chose The Wild One as their last ride .
Photo: Sam Marks collection. View full-sized image.
As the day went on, the park got busier and busier, and many folks just got together to reminisce about the park. Once 5 p.m. arrived (park closing was 6 p.m.), people gathered at whatever ride they wanted to be their final ride. My husband and I chose The Wild One, of course, because we got married on that coaster. Once in the queue, people began to gravitate to the 24 positions in order to be on the final train. We secured the front seats for that last ride, and it was everything we hoped for to say goodbye to our dear coaster.
Once we were all secure, staff performed their safety checks and dispatched the train. I hadn’t noticed, but the whole exit ramp was full of people cheering us on and taking photos and videos for their own memories. (I’m misty-eyed remembering this.) Up the lift we went, watching the park skyline rise in front of us in the darkness. And then the drop, and a ride for the ages. I took my husband Al’s hand for a portion of the ride, and we just took it all in and prayed our memories will remain.
As we walked toward the exit, we thanked the associates who were making their way out the employee gates. They were still so pleasant and happy to have us there. The gift shops near the exit had just a few things remaining and looked ravaged as if TAZ had come to visit. We heard that Superman had broken down and was not able to close out the night. I hoped the guests who had chosen it for their final ride had a plan B ride to finish out the night.
As guests left the park, they were given a souvenir lanyard and map. One side of the map showed the park’s rides and attractions for 2025, and the other side showed the layout of the park in 1999.
We got in our car and drove that 34-mile ride home for the last time …. But who knows what may happen down the road?
— Sam Marks
Thoughts from ACE Mid-Atlantic’s Regional Rep
Six Flags America had its own personality — a bit rough around the edges but filled with heart. Some people loved it, some didn’t. But lately, I’ve been moved seeing so many people come forward sharing how much they enjoyed their final visits. It’s like everyone suddenly remembered what made this place special.
The shows and entertainment may never have rivaled Broadway or Dollywood, but they had their own special charm. The old stunt show blended slapstick humor, martial arts and wild stunts — a real gem from another era. Fright Fest became great in the late 2010s. “The Awakening” each night was a must-see, and of course, who could forget Eleanor — the park’s very own ghostly legend in the haunted mansion?
At our yearly ACE regional event, Celebrate America, ACE members gathered in the front rows to watch the magic shows of Joe Romano (previously) and recently Aaron Radt. Each performer would acknowledge ACE both during the show as well as afterward at meet and greets.
Former regional rep and current ACE President Elizabeth Ringas, former Assistant Rep Wes Friend and I have been organizing events there since 2007. Park management has always been grateful to partner with ACE — from hanging out with us at event picnics, to open-ended Q&A, to great park behind-the-scenes tours and to awesome donations.
Six Flags America was a lot of firsts for a lot of people. Out of the three major parks in the Mid-Atlantic, Six Flags America was the one where Elizabeth and I experienced our first visit together at the same time … a lot of first rides together. The park was where we met so many ACE members for the first time who patronized our events there — especially those living in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. I ran my first ACE auction there. Six Flags America was where some of our kids had their first “big” ride.
Today, November 2, was a last for all us … our last visit to the park, our last ride on The Wild One, our last ride on whatever was important to us.
Here’s to the memories, the friendships and the hope that one day, we’ll make new ones at another park in the DC area.
— Evangelos Ringas, ACE Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative
#ACENews