originally posted on 9/9/2024
Photo: Mike Matscherz. View full-sized image.
On Saturday, June 29, 189 ACE members and guests arrived at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania, for the third annual Clowning Around at Dorney Park. This year was special because ACE was invited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Thunderhawk. Attendees checked in to pick up their event packets, custom ACE Eastern Pennsylvania lanyards and buttons at the park entrance plaza.
The day began with ERT on Thunderhawk and Scrambler, with Steel Force being a surprise addition.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
ERT on Thunderhawk and Scrambler kicked off the day. The first surprise to attendees was the addition of Steel Force to the ERT lineup. The two coasters and one flat ride yielded minimum wait times and lots of re-rides for the event attendees. The group photo was up next, and the new-for-2024 Iron Menace provided the perfect backdrop.
The Nanocoaster Building Contest enabled attendees to celebrate Thunderhawk’s centennial in a unique way.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
Wildlands Conservancy held a presentation of one of its red-tailed hawks.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
Crowds during the morning and early afternoon were light. This allowed for several re-rides on the park’s roller coasters and other attractions. The first activity for the celebration of Thunderhawk was a Nanocoaster Building Contest. Several of the participants were ACE members who did an outstanding job re-creating the iconic coaster. Rockin’ Photobooth gave attendees the opportunity to get their picture in front of the coaster’s entrance. Wildlands Conservancy offered a terrific presentation of one of its red-tailed hawks. Fun fact: the classic screech that most movies play as the sound of a bald eagle is actually made by a red-tailed hawk!
Jassica Naderman, vice president and general manager of Dorney Park, showed off one of Thunderhawk’s special dedications.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
(l-r) Ryan Eldredge (Dorney Park), Elizabeth Ringas (ACE), Tom Rebbie (PTCI) and Jessica Naderman (Dorney Park) celebrated Thunderhawk’s 100th anniversary.
Photo: Mike Matscherz. View full-sized image.
The highlight of the day was the 100th anniversary presentation for Thunderhawk. Ryan Eldredge, public relations manager for Dorney Park, kicked off the ceremony and was then joined on stage by Jessica Naderman, vice president and general manager of Dorney Park. Eldredge invited Tom Rebbie, owner and CEO of Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. (PTCI), to say a few words about his company’s relationship with Dorney Park. PTCI originally built the coaster 100 years ago and now is helping to maintain the roller coaster’s trains. Eldredge and Naderman had a special surprise for Rebbie, a plaque recognizing PTCI’s dedication to the coaster’s preservation. Eldredge invited Elizabeth Ringas, ACE president, on stage to talk about ACE’s dedication to preservation and keeping the classic coaster alive. The ceremony wrapped up with special dedications from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate.
Jessica Naderman and Ryan Eldredge of Dorney Park were joined on stage by ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Representative Mike Matscherz.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
While enjoying their meals, attendees also enjoyed entertainment provided by the park.
Photo: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
The group meal was served immediately after the presentation in the Center Stage pavilion. This year the region tried a new serving style with three separate food stations that included elote street corn, Thunderhawk chicken wings, candied bacon flatbread, strawberry shortcake shooters and more. The food was also available for three hours, which gave attendees the opportunity to eat, go ride a few rides, come back and eat some more. ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Representative Mike Matscherz welcomed attendees, thanked the event volunteers and made a few announcements. Eldredge and Naderman also welcomed attendees and took several intriguing questions.
Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed all that Dorney Park had to offer.
Photo: Gina Althouse. View full-sized image.
Photo: Will Rook. View full-sized image.
Rain clouds rolled in during the early evening hours, but thankfully the rain stopped just in time for ERT, which featured Iron Menace and MT Buckets. The attendees who stuck around were able to get many rides on the brand-new coaster. Everyone was able to spend a full hour before the rain started again.
Rain didn’t dampen the mood at ERT, which gave attendees an hour on Dorney Park’s new coaster, Iron Menace.
Photo: Adam Ahmed. View full-sized image.
The ACE Eastern Pennsylvania regional rep team was grateful to everyone who volunteered and attended the event this year. A big shout out went to Eldredge, Naderman and the awesome teams at Dorney Park — ACE sincerely appreciated their efforts and support of the organization, which will return in 2025!
— Mike Matscherz, ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Representative
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