Photo: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.
Complete coverage of Coaster Con 48 will be in the fall issue of RollerCoaster!, but the week was certainly filled with some memorable moments. Depending on one’s location, there were instances of a bear, downpours, snakes or … hundreds of hugs.
Of course, there was an abundance of food and 13.5 hours of ERT, along with the traditional Con activities. But just for fun, here are 12 things that made for great memories.
Madison Curbelo performed with her band on opening night.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
- A celebrity welcomed ACE opening night
Madison Curbelo, a contestant from “The Voice,” performed with her band — which included her brother (and park employee) on the drums. It was a great performance. Belting out hits just for ACE made for a great kickoff.
The Comet at The Great Escape.
Photo: Dalton Crider. View full-sized image.
- All three host parks had an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark
It’s kind of cool when ACE’s support of the amusement industry can be seen on display. Presented in previous years, ACE Roller Coaster Landmark plaques were on display for first-timers to see the organization’s mission put into action.
Rain put a damper on, but didn’t cancel, Monday evening’s ERT.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
- Monday night’s ERT was one for the books
Best-laid plans can sometimes go awry when Mother Nature enters the scene. The forecast for Monday was truly gloomy. Fortunately, all ACE activities (ERT, lunch, tours, etc.) took place, but rain did arrive mid-afternoon. Many stuck it out with wet rides or chilling out in the park-provided ACE Lounge for some social time. The park made the decision to close an hour early, but ACE’s evening was not canceled; the full ERT would still take place.
Those who returned to the park or had remained on property were treated to a phenomenal evening ERT. Six Flags New England, knowing some ERT rides were affected, threw in five more. The park also moved the (great!) snacks indoors or under cover. Then, like a miracle, the rain stopped and ACEers had 10 rides in ERT! What hospitality! The following morning, one Executive Committee member commented: “It would be the defining moment of Coaster Con.”
A first-ever tie for third resulted in a sudden death contest in the Midway Olympics.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
- Midway Olympics ended in sudden death
Following Tuesday morning’s Midway Olympics, three teams tied for third place. It was a competition brought to sudden death. Spectators who came to watch knew who would place in third, but the top two teams were still under wraps.
Photo: HaeKyung Thompson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Warren Zhao. View full-sized image.
- Behind-the-scenes tours were total fun
For members who like fun photo opportunities, the host parks provided tours that let attendees get great shots — from underneath coaster tracks to dark rides to haunted houses. They were incredibly fun, and each attendee could enjoy several. (There could truly be enough fascinating shots to fill a coffee table book.)
Lake Compounce’s “snack” offerings were much more than a snack.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
- Lake Compounce delivered the “snack” for the ages
The schedule listed a snack buffet, but no one expected what Lake Compounce rolled out. Walking tacos, mac and cheese, nachos, soft pretzels, fudge, Dippin’ Dots, churros with dipping sauce and more — it was an overload of tastiness.
Members of the Whalom Cooperative were available to answer questions about the defunct park.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
- Whalom Park remembered
In addition to a Q&A with Lake Compounce management, members of the New Whalom Cooperative gave a talk on the now-defunct Whalom Park (Lunenburg, Massachusetts) and brought numerous items from the organization’s museum collection. ACEers could buy commemorative souvenirs in support or just look at some cool items.
Enchanted Parks CEO James Harhi patiently answered many questions from attendees.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
- An opportunity to sit down and chat with a CEO
At The Great Escape, Enchanted Parks CEO James Harhi talked to interested attendees in one of the park’s pavilions. For 45 minutes, he fielded questions from members regarding the direction the company was going to take the newly established chain of parks. It’s rare for ACEers to have this one-on-one (well, group-on-one) opportunity.
Lottery winners could climb The Bobcat’s lift hill, and ACE’s Preservation Fund gained more than $1,000.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud collection. View full-sized image.
- An opportunity to climb The Bobcat
In a day-of surprise, The Great Escape offered a lift hill walk on America’s newest woodie, The Bobcat. In a matter of 15 to 20 minutes, ACE raffled off the opportunity to support the Preservation Fund and raised more than $1,000. That fast! While that opportunity (a “sunset” lift climb) got rained out, it was much better — and safer — the next morning.
Michael Graham spoke to banquet attendees about his history in the industry as well as Gravity Group projects.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
- Michael Graham of The Gravity Group was the keynote speaker
It’s always a treat when the keynote speaker at the annual banquet “gets” ACE. It was easy for Michael Graham, principal of The Gravity Group, because he had joined ACE as a kid. Knowing what the group was about, he gave an engaging presentation on his own connections to the industry as well as insight into the development of The Bobcat.
Bill Linkenheimer III introduced the candidates for election to ACE offices and fielded questions during the Q&A.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
- Getting to know one’s candidates
With it being an election year, the Annual Business Meeting was followed by speeches from every single candidate running this year — and each office had more than one candidate. Members could hear what the candidates had to say, as well as ask questions on issues that were important to them. Further, it was so refreshing to hear candidates supporting their opponents — a sharp contrast to the mudslinging most people endure from political commercials on television.
Winner of the Rubber Ducky Regatta Tom Rebbie (middle) stood with Jill Ryan (left), creator of the stained glass medals, and third-place winner Owen Hunt.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Mike Matscherz (left) received the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, Inc. Manufacturer’s Award from Tom Rebbie (his father-in-law) while Janine Rebbie Matscherz (his wife) looked on.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
- It might look fishy, but it wasn’t
Optics don’t always work out, but in a humorous Lazy Susan, Rubber Ducky Regatta Coordinator Mike Matscherz had to sheepishly declare that his father-in-law, PTCI’s Tom Rebbie, won the race. Hours later, Rebbie presented Matscherz, his son-in-law, with the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, Inc. Manufacturer’s Award (lovingly known at “The Spirit of ACE”). It comically looked as if it could be fishy, but both gentlemen went to great lengths to explain no shenanigans had gone on.
There is much more to catch up on about Coaster Con 48, so expanded coverage will tell the complete story in RC! 179.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News
#ACENews