Eastern Pennsylvania
(Mike Matscherz, B. Derek Shaw, Jessica Knouse, Sue Yekel, Gina Althouse)
First, I would like to thank my Eastern Pennsylvania team, B. Derek Shaw, Jessica Knouse, Sue Yekel and Gina Althouse for all their hard work and dedication in supporting the Eastern Pennsylvania region. I'd also like to thank Janine Rebbie Matscherz and Stacey Singer for their incredible volunteer service at our events. This past year (May 2025 through April 2026) was one that has been filled with wonderful achievements! We hosted a total of twelve events which were attended by 1,374 members and guests. Thank you to everyone for supporting our region.
The year started off with a brand-new event at Bushkill Park, named It's a Thrill at Bushkill, on Friday, May 30, 2025. Attendees enjoyed all-park evening ERT on the park's various rides, Hilarity Hall fun house and Stingray powered coaster. We also enjoyed all-you-care-to-eat snacks, a delicious cookout dinner and roller skating.
The next day, Saturday, May 31, 2025, was our annual Clowning Around at Dorney Park. The morning featured ERT on Hydra, Woodstock Express, and Kaleidoscope, Whack-A-Mole contest, photo walk back of Hydra, an appetizing buffet and various ITOTs. (Informal Takeover Time)
The weekend finished at Dorney Park's Wildwater Kingdom for our second annual Slide with ACE event. The morning was a bit chilly, but attendees still enjoyed ERT on Aqua Racer, Cascade and Lightning Falls slides. We also hosted our first-ever Aqua Racer Showdown race, a behind-the-scenes tour of the waterpark's pump house and a voucher to enjoy a meal at your leisure.
Next up was the return of ACE Flies with the Phoenix at Knoebels on Saturday, July 26, 2025. This event continues to be a fan favorite amongst the region's members. The event started off with the Water Cup Challenge on StratosFear, morning ERT on Black Diamond and Haunted Mansion, evening ERT on Phoenix, an afternoon meet-and-greet with the Knoebel family, a Grove Grub card for snacking your way through the park and several ITOTs.
CocoaCon at Hersheypark was on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The day started off with Sweet Start early morning access to several coasters and attractions, a scrumptious meal, Corn Hole contest, and nighttime ERT on Storm Runner and Jolly Rancher Remix.
Mayhem at Wonderland occurred the next day on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Dutch Wonderland. The park fully embraced ACE and treated attendees to morning ERT on Merlin's Mayhem and Kingdom Coaster, an incredibly delicious lunch, a Q&A session with the park's management team and a walking history tour. The day also included several ITOTs.
Dorney Park welcomed ACE back for our annual HalloThriller event, on Saturday, October 25, 2025. Special thanks to Ryan Eldredge, PR & Communications Manager, for his incredible support of ACE. Attendees were treated to morning ERT on Iron Menace, MT Buckets, and Revolution, an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Necropolis haunted maze, ITOTs were scheduled throughout the day and lunch was served in the late afternoon. As night fell, the crowds descended upon the park but it was nothing to be scared of thanks to complimentary Haunted Attraction Pass for almost all of the attendees and the first haunt of the night at Necropolis for everyone!
The end of the year brought the return of Merry ACEmas on Friday, December 6, 2025. The event is a social gathering that started at Cointaker in Sunbury, Pennsylvania and then a ride through the holiday lights of Knoebels during their Joy Through the Grove special event. Attendees enjoyed pinball and arcade games, a delicious holiday buffet, an interactive holiday outfit contest, holiday trivia contest, ornament decorating and tasty holiday sweet treats on the cookie table.
We kicked off the new year with an off-season tour of Hersheypark's Service Center maintenance shop on Friday, February 6, 2026. Lucky participants were guided by Scott Silar, Director of Attractions at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, who shared his insight into the extensive off-season work that keeps the park's attractions operating safely and smoothly. From routine inspections to major refurbishments, attendees gained a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and expertise required behind the scenes.
Eastcoaster was the next day on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The event returned to the Best Western Premier in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Attendees enjoyed presentations from amusement parks and manufacturer representatives from Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee and Universal Creative.
The next day, Sunday, February 8, 2026, Hershey's Chocolate World welcomed ACE back to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Chocolate Factor Tour ride. This unique experience offered attendees a rare opportunity to step off the ride vehicles and into the inner workings of the attraction before it opened to the public.
New-for-2026 was Merry-Go-ACE at The Carousel at Pottstown. The event began with exclusive ride time (ERT) on the beautifully restored carousel, giving attendees the opportunity to enjoy multiple rides while taking in the craftsmanship and historic details of this treasured attraction. Attendees enjoyed a delicious potluck buffet that featured a wide variety of homemade sides, entrees and desserts. The venue's President of the Board, Mark Saylor, gave a terrific review of the carousel's history and it's journey from Euclid Beach Park in Cleveland, Ohio to Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
We'll start off the new season with Clowning Around at Dorney Park on Saturday, June 13, 2026. The event will feature morning ERT on Talon and Wild Mouse, Whack-A-Mole challenge, and a delicious lunch. Our next event will be one that only comes along once every 100 years! ACE will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Knoebels during our ACE Flies with Knoebels 100 event Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26. There will be ERT every day, the Water Cup Challenge, a delicious lunch, exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences and much more to be announced. CocoaCon at Hersheypark has a new date on Saturday, August 1 and will include Sweet Start early entry, behind-the-scenes tour of Kill n' Fill haunted house, a tasty catered meal and nighttime ERT on Great Bear and Twizzlers Twisted Gravity. Hersheypark will also host our Slide with ACE waterpark event the next day on Sunday, August 2. We'll enjoy morning ERT on Breakers Edge Water Coaster, a behind-the-scenes tour and afternoon catered lunch. Ride, Snack, SCRAM! at Sesame Place will be on Sunday, August 23. The event will include a behind the scenes tour, VIP character meet and greet, morning ERT on Oscar's Wacky Taxi, Vapor Trail and Sunny Day Carousel, complimentary Quick Queue passes and Q&A with park management. We'll then wrap up the summer with back-to-back events starting with It's a Thrill at Bushkill on Saturday, September 12 and Mayhem at Wonderland on Sunday, September 13. Both events will include ERT, a behind-the-scenes tour and a wonderful meal. In the fall, HalloThriller will return to Dorney Park on Saturday, October 17. And finally in the winter, Merry ACEmas is back on Saturday, December 5, and Eastcoaster will be on Saturday, February 13, 2027 at the Best Western Premier The Central Hotel & Conference Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. We hope that you'll join us!
- Mike Matscherz, Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Representative
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Mike Matscherz
Regional Representative - Eastern Pennsylvania
mmatscherz@aceonline.org------------------------------