Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
The Eastern Great Lakes region held its first major event of the year in an unlikely place: the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, located near Columbus, Ohio. More than 50 members gathered at the zoo for the first-ever Day of the Dragon event on May 23.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
At check-in, attendees picked up wristbands and buttons for the event.
One of the most beloved zoos in the country, the Columbus Zoo is also home to Sea Dragon, a 1956 Philadelphia Toboggan Company junior coaster notable for being John C. Allen’s very first solo design. May 23rd was Sea Dragon’s 70th birthday, and the zoo celebrated in style. The roller coaster received a new logo for its 70th, and merchandise was available with the new logo, including hats, stickers and pins. Cake was handed out, as well as other freebies, prizes and up-close animal encounters. Many zoogoers could be seen wearing Sea Dragon party hats late into the day.
Nestled between the zoo proper and the Zoombezi Bay waterpark is the Rides at Adventure Cove section of the zoo. Home to Sea Dragon, it is also the location of Tidal Twist, a Zamperla spinning wild mouse. Adventure Cove also houses flat rides such as a scrambler, a Viking ship and the ever-beloved flying scooters ride, Mission Macaw (themed to parrots and macaws). This park-within-a-park began when rides from the long-ago Olentangy Park were moved next door to the zoo. Sea Dragon was added shortly after opening as the park’s flagship attraction.
During the day, ACE members got to wander the zoo and take in some of the 600 species that live there. The lions were out but sleeping; the tigers were in full form, posing for park guests. While it rained, guests flocked to the indoor exhibits, such as the aquarium. In the nocturnal exhibit, the rare weedy seadragons could be seen, namesake to the roller coaster next door. The red pandas were a favorite of patrons, and the otters and monkeys were also out to play.
The historic 1914 Mangels-Illions Grand Carousel was a popular ride choice.
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On the Dinosaur Island Boat Ride, visitors saw animals from the Pacific regions and dinosaurs too.
Photo: Frank Arroyo. View full-sized image.
ACE members kept busy despite the rain. An informal takeover happened at the zoo’s carousel, also originally from Olentangy Park and built in 1914. Some members went back in time on the Dinosaur Island Boat Ride, learning about prehistoric animals along the way. The zoo’s next door neighbor, the aptly named Zoombezi Bay waterpark, was also open, but most attendees did not visit owing to the weather. In lieu of a group dinner, members were presented with vouchers to use on food in the zoo.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Photo: Frank Arroyo. View full-sized image.
Working the hand brakes is a lot harder than pushing a button.
Photo: Sharon Bond. View full-sized image.
The rain held off long enough for two hours of ERT on Sea Dragon and Tidal Twist, after normal zoo operating hours. Not even an early morning train valley could keep Sea Dragon closed, and members young and old got to enjoy this ACE Coaster Classic. Members sang “happy birthday” to both Sea Dragon and its ride operator, who was in good spirits and kept sending trains as fast as possible with the old hand brakes. Some ACE members stayed for the full two hours, closing Sea Dragon’s celebrations out in style.
Overall, Day of the Dragon was a rousing success, and ACE looks forward to new events in the future at the Columbus Zoo. Attendees were grateful to Phil Browning and Sam King of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Eastern Great Lakes regional rep team and all of the volunteers who helped make this event possible.
— Aster Kanke
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