Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Friends, family and fond memories are core tenets of each and every ACE event, and for the sixth straight summer, the Eastern Great Lakes region’s Picnic at the Grove was no different. Held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the elusive Stricker’s Grove in Hamilton, Ohio, ACE members were treated to a full day of fun, food and, most important, rides.
Teddy Bear.
Photo: Chris Sneed. View full-sized image.
Tornado.
Photo: Chris Sneed. View full-sized image.
Ferris wheel.
Photo: Chris Sneed. View full-sized image.
C.P. Huntington train.
Photo: Chris Sneed. View full-sized image.
Stricker’s Grove is a family-owned park that sits on the northern side of Cincinnati. Founded in 1924, the park is famously open to the public only four days a year. The park’s rides were open for six hours on Sunday, giving attendees plenty of time to experience everything it has to offer. Stricker’s Grove boasts two wooden roller coasters, Teddy Bear and Tornado; a Hrubetz Tip Top, one of just three left in the world, according to Coasterpedia; as well as other amusement staples, such as a Ferris wheel, a train, flying scooters and the extremely intense Hrubetz Electric Rainbow, which is the Super Round Up.
Tornado.
Photo: Chris Sneed. View full-sized image.
Both coasters were built in-house by Ralph Stricker. First came Tornado, which was designed by Al Collins and opened in 1993. The coaster, which stands 63 feet tall, is a mirror image of Jet Coaster, a Philadelphia Toboggan Company coaster designed by John Allen that opened at Rocky Glen Park in Moosic, Pennsylvania, in 1959 and operated until the park closed in 1987. Tornado was a favorite among guests all day long, thrilling riders with an airtime moment in the second half that, when sitting toward the back of the train, made them feel like Wile E. Coyote levitating for a second before crashing back down to earth.
Teddy Bear.
Photo: Chris Sneed. View full-sized image.
Teddy Bear, an ACE Coaster Classic, followed in 1996. Built using the blueprints from the 1935 Coney Island ride of the same name, Stricker’s Grove’s Teddy Bear has a little something for everyone and is a great entry coaster for the younger thrillseekers out there. Providing a surprising amount of pop on the first drop, despite standing just 28 feet tall, as well as some fun laterals on the final turn before coming into the station, Teddy Bear is a fantastic complimentary coaster to Tornado.
“First event” buttons can be conversation starters for first-time attendees.
Photo: Jarrod Wronski. View full-sized image.
Beginning at noon, 155 ACE members from 17 states made their way to the front gate for check-in to receive their ticket, complimentary Picnic at the Grove pin and lanyard. There was also an ACE General Store at the booth, which debuted the newest in the Pins for Preservation series, “Wings of the Night,” based on the original Bat at Kings Island. It sold well, as more than $300 was raised for ACE’s preservation fund. At 12:30, the all-day, free concessions opened up, spoiling members with unlimited popcorn, cotton candy, sno cones, ice cream and soft drinks for the entirety of the event. Guests entering the park were also greeted by the intoxicating smell of that evening’s dinner being prepared, adding even more fuel to the fire of hunger.
After taking a few hours to enjoy the snacks, rides and scenery, that dinner arrived. In typical Stricker’s Grove fashion, the meal of hot dogs, hamburgers, brats and sides was served buffet style. Last but certainly not least in the line was the park’s famous sweet corn, which is purchased just down the road and grilled to perfection. With the clouds that had dominated the sky for a majority of the day disappearing not long before the meal and the heat really starting to rise, ACE members were treated to an air-conditioned dining hall in which to enjoy their food while catching up with friends.
As the rides reopened at 5 p.m., attendees gathered together for one final time, taking a group photo in front of Teddy Bear. Rides, as well as mini golf, in which this author won with an impressive 11-stroke victory, continued until 8 p.m. On their way out, attendees picked up one final ice cream cone or other sweet treat to put a final stamp of approval on a very fun day.
Picnic at the Grove was the first ACE event for a whopping 31 members. The region was grateful to Debbie Ziegler, co-owner of the park, for coordinating with and allowing ACE to partake in a day to remember and to Frank Arroyo, Courtney Clark, Dave Jackson, Connor McCann and Jon Roost for volunteering at the event.
— Connor McCann
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