Summer Winds Down • Parks Prep for New Adventures

Rebel Yell 2016

The Official Newsletter of ACE Mid-Atlantic Summer Issue

Photo: Informal Takeover, Jill Ryan

Inside This Issue A group picture taken in front of Grover’s Tempeto’s rushes back into the station after its Alpine Express during an informal takeover! signature and rather intense loop-the-loop maneuver. • Parks Emphasize Modest Thrills for 2017 • An Introspective from the Regional Rep. • New Members and Spotlight • Taking Another Dive • A Forgotten Relic • A Park's Growth Spurt • A Look Around the Region

Photo: , Jill Ryan

Upcoming Events

The 2016 summer season has drawn to a close, however, that doesn’t mean the Family-Oriented Thrills Coming fun has to stop. The fall time provides Ride Announcements for 2017 Emphasize Fun for All some of the best opportunities to ride and experience everything a park has to offer. The months of August and September It wasn’t going to be the tallest or Check out our upcoming regional events. are the quintessential dates for the fastest. It would, instead, emphasize the culmination of enthusiast fever. All season terrain, harness modest airtime hills, REGIONAL long, fans research and dismiss rumors, in and maneuver zippy lateral changes. hopes that something fresh and great will Surely, the kind of coaster that would be ACE Day at the Virginia State come to their beloved parks in the new re-ridable and cater to all age levels, a (Doswell, VA) - October 1, 2016 year. When the veil is finally lifted, there is masterpiece to be built by Great Coasters often a loud, collective chatter about the International, Inc. (GCI) and the first in the Fall Thrillfest at King’s Dominion many changes. region since Roar opened nearly 20 years (Doswell, VA - October 2, 2016) earlier. For the Mid-Atlantic, this talk came early. Celebrate America at Six Flags Even before the season could begin, we It quickly got us thinking about what else America (Upper Marlboro, MD - learned that the region would be getting could be coming from the other regional October 3, 2016) a new coaster named Invadr, the first of parks. We anted up on our predications its kind for Williamsburg. and waited patiently.

Find out more and register online! Continued on Page 4 www.acemidatlantic.org Rebel Yell - Summer 2016 1 The Epitome of a Hobby ACE Event - Coaster Con XXXIX Article by Elizabeth Ringas (Glen Allen, VA)

Five days and two amusement parks!

I’ve always heard how members LOVE Con and that there is nothing like it! I love national ACE events, but I was a skeptic. Spring conferences have always been my favorite because I see all my friends and From the Backseat I’m able to pack in a lot of parks in three Elizabeth Ringas days. After seventeen years as a member and eleven years as a regional rep, I decided 2016 was the year I had to go and Sometimes I equate being your regional see what this was all about. representative to riding in the back of the train because I love watching everyone From the moment I arrived at registration, Photo: Holiday World, Richard Bostic enjoy their day at the park. This fall marks I loved the energy in the air! I immediately eleven years since I assumed the role and understood that this was about something each time I have the opportunity to bring more – more in depth conversations, more us together at an event, I am reminded opportunities to meet new people and about why I am so passionate about being more time to savor being surrounded a regional rep. by my fellow members. Five days of immersion with those that love what I love, ACE was so important to Evangelos and live a life of passion and see the world of I in developing friendships as a newly amusement parks a little different than married couple. I love the chance to offer most. Those five days equaled complete our members young and old, new and and total exhaustion, and memories that seasoned, this same opportunity. will drive me back to Con in 2017. It also has got me crazy excited to welcome the Last spring was one of the highlights of nation to the Mid-Atlantic for Coaster Con Photo: Coaster Con Logo, American Coaster Enthusiasts my time as regional rep because I was XLI in 2018! standing to the side as a non-rider with a back injury (not from coasters, but boy did In the meantime, will you join me for Con I get some good airtime on that injury!). XL in Texas? Taking those moments out, I was able to fully observe the enthusiasm, the riding, and the ERT joy from our members. It Joining the Family reminded me how important our club is New Members for June and July 2016 to each of our members, in all different ways. Whenever we get new members, we always Tim Gibson like to celebrate. All of us are like a big Waldorf MD family, a family that likes to have fun. When Have you ever thought about why ACE it comes to coasters, nothing is better than Carol Urban is important to you? Would you take a sharing a ride with people who share the Newark DE moment to share your story on Facebook, same passion you do. In honor of creating with a friend, in line at the park or in an new friendships, we’d like to acknowledge Lorenzo Kenney email to me? the new recruits for the period. Capitol Heights MD

Hayden Gibson Sam Lightbody Waldorf MD Alexandria VA

Suzette Gibson Amber Michael Waldorf MD Alexandria VA

Will Trusnovic George Watson Waldorf MD Fairfax VA

Matthew Trusnovic 2 Rebel Yell - Summer 2016 Waldorf MD Who Is ACE? Member Spotlight

We’ve mentioned before that coaster riding is much more fun when you ride with a partner. In an effort to introduce the many great people that make up the Mid-Atlantic region, we’re going to highlight our volunteers, members, and regional rep team each quarter.

Name: Shannon Somerville Name: Corey Brown Name: Alex Gardiner

Role: Regional Archivist Role: Assistant Regional Rep. Role: Member

Location: Chaptico, Maryland Location: Olney, Maryland Location: Davidsonville, Maryland

How long have you been a member? How long have you been a member? How long have you been a member? Been a member of ACE for 18 years now. I became a member in 2012. Joined ACE in 2009.

What’s your favorite coaster? What’s your favorite coaster? What’s your favorite coaster? (). Tie between Superman () (). Rebel Yell - Summer 2016 and (Hersheypark). I also fancy What got you into this hobby? anything by Mack. What got you into this hobby? I’ve always loved riding coasters (it has I have always liked theme parks but when been passed down from my parents who What got you into this hobby? I joined ACE that is when theme parks can't ride now due to health issues). I used to play all the RCT games growing turned into a big hobby for me. up and attending school events at local What do you love about ACE? parks. As I began researching more about What do you love about ACE? What I love about ACE is the camaraderie coasters, I grew a larger interest in them. Its just one big national that comes from being around like-mind- enthusiast group. ed people and having someone now who What do you love about ACE? shares the same interest. The ability to make new friends and share What do you like to do besides going to a hobby with someone else who loves it amusement parks? What do you like to do besides going to too. Go to classic car shows and wineries to try amusement parks? new wine. Besides going to amusement parks, I also What do you like to do besides going to like going out to the movies and Capitals amusement parks? hockey games. I’ve been playing video games since I could walk and continue to do so. I also Overall, I'm glad to be living in one of the like to find new music to listen to with my more active regions of ACE. fiancée.

Photo: Coaster Milestone, ACE Mid-Atlantic ACE Milestone 600 Coasters and Counting

Milo Pennock celebrated his 600th coaster Milo on the achievement and look forward on the Wild West Express at Adventure Park to his next milestone! USA during our annual event at the park. If you ever reach a milestone, small or He sat next to fellow ACE Member Carl large, let us know and we’ll highlight it Merson, sharing the train with other here in our newsletter. Mid-Atlantic members. We congratulate

Rebel Yell - Summer 2016 3 Continued from Page 1

The first contender to step up to the plate This year’s announcements might not was King’s Dominion, a park that has had have panned out as many speculated, 100 Years very little in terms of major attractions however what came of it all was a Wild One’s Imminent Birthday over the past few years. , for reasons selection of rides that are integral for the unknown, had been closed all season demographics that they are targeting. Take a moment to think about that. without any work being done to it. As a result, many began whispering familiar Busch Garden’s Invadr brings the park into Seriously ponder what this coaster has seen acronyms like GCI and RMC, mistakenly the big leagues by now offering seven and lived through: multiple generations of assuming this would be the year we’d get coasters, with their latest entry ensuring families, two world wars, a full relocation something substantial. families and wooden coaster fans come to (unknown for wooden coasters), and easily the most gorgeous park in the world. over a bajillion coaster rides. King’s Dominion acknowledged these various rumors in a video to the fans, For King’s Dominion, they can continue That last one might be a stretch, however really stop and think. How do you count a however, in the end, we received word to call themselves one of the best and century’s worth of something like a coaster? that King’s Dominion would be expanding most well-rounded parks with the largest once again with three new amount of kiddie rides in the country. Born at Paragon Park in Massachusetts in kiddie rides (Peanuts 500, Sally’s Sea Plane, While it’s understandable that people are 1917, the coaster lived in this location for and Kite-Eating Tree), a free Pre-K pass for disappointed, it only means that we can nearly seventy-nine years. Purchased by a the little ones, free WiFi, CoolPix and an anticipate something much larger for the emerging little park called Wild World in updated mobile app. 2018 season. 1986, the relocation of the Giant Coaster, as it was known then, was the first ever large While we’re unlikely to see another And with Six Flags America, the park is scale movement done. announcement this year for the 2017 finally being rewarded for the feats it has season, it does leave us wondering about accomplished over the last few years in As ACE member Al Clowe stated in an inter- Hurler's fate. To keep the rumor mill going, getting people to truly respect the park. view he did for Good Day DC, the coaster was meticulously numbered and marked so Rebel Yell - Summer the2016 park even left us with the words that each and every piece could be erected “There’s Really More Coming!”. Since 2017 is all about families sharing as it should be in its new location. Conse- moments on a collection of varied, yet quently, the coaster was also re-profiled to With two of the three major parks down, modest rides, we can only anticipate that be faster and incorporate an increased thrill there was still time for Six Flags America 2018 will bring in something that will it had not seen in Massachusetts. to show us what they've been working on. satiate the enthusiast taste bud for raw Their management team has been telling thrills. Since then, the coaster has seen millions of us for years that they have a revolving five riders in its new location. It’s been built into year plan for bringing the park into the Can you imagine if Six Flags America and and around multiple rides, including the next stage of its development. Many have King’s Dominion debut two new coasters lost, but not forgotten Typhoon Sea Coaster equated this to the park either receiving for the 2018 season? We would have, (of which the famous skull still exists cov- a major attraction before 2020 or a steady in essence, three new coasters over a ering the ride’s first drop), and the current Apocalypse. resurgence of the many flats that were two year span to coincide with our 41st unfortunately taken out. Coaster Con event that will be held in the While we still do not know what Six Flags Mid-Atlantic. America will do for the coaster’s milestone, We learned on September 1st that their we do know that we are thrilled to have this big announcement is a mix of both. After The hype is already brewing, we can feel it. legendary coaster in our region. As it slowly more than a decade and a half of not becomes a centurion over the next few building a major ride higher than two For updates on all the major attractions months, we encourage everyone to take a hundred feet, the park announced that coming to our region, be sure to checkout ride on it. they would be bringing the park’s first our social media pages. We'll post twenty-four story attraction, a information as we receive it about the new Even more important, we ask that as you Starflyer that will be namedWonder additions and any other surprises that still ride it, stop and think about what the Woman, Lasso of Truth. await us in the remaining 2016 season. coaster means to you. Think about all the journeys people have had on it before you and how you plan to keep its legacy going Towering over the land, it’s anticipated to for years. be a huge draw in bringing passer-byers into the park. Signs in the park have the One must remember that ACE, at its core, ride situated next to Superman, however is about preserving the legacy of coasters we will know more when we attend the around the world and what it means to our Celebrate America event at the beginning existence. Without the preservation of clas- of October. sics like these, we wouldn’t have the hobby we love and cherish today.

4 Rebel Yell - Summer 2016 Members are all smiles as they get strapped in for morning ERT on Griffon.

Photo: Griffon, Jill Ryan Ten Years Diving on Griffon ACE Event - ACE Dives at Busch Gardens Williamsburg Article by Jill Ryan (Torano, VA)

On Saturday June 4, 2016, eighty-two ACE longest line ever for that coaster! members representing twelve different states gathered together at Busch Gardens Along with the opportunity to experience Williamsburg for the 10th annual ACE Mid- one of the country’s most beautiful parks Atlantic regional event: ACE Dives. with world class rides, ACE Dives falls nicely during Busch Garden’s annual Food Attendees were welcomed by the Mid- and Wine Fest, allowing attendees to Photo: Midway Game, Jill Ryan Atlantic team and volunteers in the England supplement their picnic lunch and sample parking lot, where they eagerly awaited the traditional dishes and drinks from various day’s events. The morning began with an countries around the world. New this year hour of ERT diving on Griffon, with lots of was the opportunity to purchases passes time for numerous re-rides. No Mid-Atlantic which allowed sampling at reduced rates. regional event is complete without a Also new to the park this year was the midway game tournament, emceed by the Brauhaus Craft Bier Room in Das Festhaus. incomparable Ricky Cooper. After a fierce Some attendees beat the summer heat and Cuckoo Mania competition, John Salzburg quenched their thirst for an adult beverage again showed his dominance and emerged by sampling some of the 30-odd craft beers victorious. on tap.

Attendees gathered in the Blackforest picnic The event wound down with an hour of ERT Photo: Regional Rep. E. Ringas, Jill Ryan area for a lunch of pork BBQ, fried chicken, on fan favorite Apollo’s Chariot. Again with salad, corn on the cob, fruit and (of course) multiple trains in operation, attendees were chocolate cake. During the picnic, which treated to as many rides as they could wish. included door prizes, attendees met BGW’s Many thanks to the Busch Gardens staff, our new General Manager, David Cromwell, Regional Rep team and our volunteers for who introduced himself and shared his all of their hard work in putting together views on taking the helm as well giving another great event. We hope to see attendees an opportunity for Q & A. everyone again soon at other Mid-Atlantic regional events – including again at BGW After a group photo by , attendees in December to experience Christmastown were free to enjoy the park, with designated and Coastin’ Through the Snow or next ITOTs and opportunities to meet and summer for ACE Dives! ride various coasters. Probably the best Photo: ITOT, Jill Ryan attended ITOT was at Grover’s Alpine Express, creating curious onlookers and perhaps the Rebel Yell - Summer 2016 5 The Often Forgotten First Hand Event Experience - The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair in Gaithersburg, MD Article by Corey Brown (Olney, MD)

We’re ride enthusiasts by heart. There’s no and support can help these family doubt in my mind that, for many, a ride is businesses flourish and stay active for a ride by no other name. It doesn’t matter generations to come. if it’s a rollercoaster, flat ride, , or a hybrid of these three. If it swings, drops, To do my part, I took an annual trip to the or otherwise twists and turns a rider in Montgomery County Agricultural Fair to multiple directions, you can rest assured see what is new this year and gain some of we’ll be on it one way or another. those unique experiences you can only get from a traveling carnival. It’s for that reason that I find it odd that many people often overlook one of the I arrived shortly after work to meet up with best places to get that thrill. A traveling my buddy Ray, an aficionado of the show oasis that sets up shop in their own circuit. After days of rain and storms, we backyard for a week of fun each and every found a clearing to buy an all-you-can-ride year. I’m talking about the American wristband with the intention to ride some Photo: Khaos, Corey Brown carnival. of the new spectaculars (term for a major ride on the midway) for the 2016 season. Yes, for some, this city, county, or state affair doesn’t even cross their mind as a First on the docket was the newly included place of glamour. It doesn’t strike them Khaos, a KMG Inversion that swings riders as a place to get that extra rush of thrill a full 360 degrees. If you thought while the dog days of summer drag on. For was a hoot, one has not seen the power many, the carnival is another place from a 360 degree swing can do for your the memory bank where one dared their psyche. I learned that the individual cars friends to take a ride on the or can actually rotate on their own as the Ring of Fire without puking. ride does a full rotation. Although they were not in use on our ride, it puts this If it’s not the bad childhood memories attraction in another league of its own associated with the carnival, perhaps, it’s when operated fully. the brevity of it all. A short week of fun is Photo: Rollercoaster, Corey Brown had, and, before you know, the caravan Between the Khaos and a few rides on is gone onto its next destination. Was it some of the staples like Alien Abduction ever even there to begin with? The surreal (Gravitron), Flying Bobs, and Giant Wheel, An Informal Night Out at the experience can be fleeting if you’re not we found ourselves appreciating the Virginia keen to capitalize on it. many sights and sounds that came out of the night. A quick glance out from To show our appreciation for the fair and the My true feeling is that the carnival is the top of the Giant Wheel can give you traveling carnival it brings, we’ve set up a a misunderstood piece of Americana an understanding of what makes these plan for an informal meet-up at the Virginia that people shrug off as a poor man’s places an integral part of the amusement State Fair, located in Doswell, VA. investment into fun. Among the experience. The Tilt-a-Whirl, the Ring of Fire, cornucopia of fried foods, flashing lights, the , and even the Haunted Mansion Situated just down the street from King’s and hard soil, it can seem that a carnival is () can all be seen lit up from this Dominion, this state fair’s midway will set trying too hard, that it deserves no right view. the scene for a weekend of excitement and to stand in the same league as its larger fun. There will be rides on the , tons brethren. Where a seaside attraction seems Without the century long tradition of these of greasy, fried food goods, and a thorough charming, the same in the middle of a field traveling venues thrilling guests with their sense of good living as the noises and lights can seem uninviting. I would beg to differ mesmerizing displays, we wouldn’t have awaken the night. on all accounts. the many things we take for granted in stationary parks. They are the precursors If you’re going to be at Thrillfest or just in the So, how does one remove that stigma from to what larger parks eventually embrace area, consider joining us as ACE Mid-Atlantic their consciousness? While there is no -- a roaming landscape of raw thrills, good officially takes over Deggellers midway. surefire way to get the public perception food, and, best of all, a temporary escape to change overnight, simple attendance from reality to form lasting memories. For more information, visit our Facebook event page.

6 Rebel Yell - Summer 2016 ACE members ride the Wildcat. Erik and his team have been updating it over the last eight years.

The Park That Keeps Growing Photo: Ride Prep, Sam Marks ACE Event - Wild West Day at Adventure Park USA Article by Charles Mann (Virgina) On Sunday, August 7th thirty-two He then guided us on a behind the scenes adventurous ACEr’s headed to the Old Line tour of the coasters and took some very State to enjoy a charming park hidden interesting group photos while doing so. off of Interstate 70. Adventure Park USA The tour finished in the maintenance opened in 2005 and has grown into a shop with an amazing piece of history. family friendly over the They have actually acquired the original last eleven years. Schwartzkopf car and plan on restoring it fully in the future. Photo: Wild West Express, ACE Mid-Atlantic After hugs, handshakes, and meeting a few new friends, we headed to the beautifully As the day winded down a few jumped into restored Schwartzkopf Wildcat while others the laser tag arena while others enjoyed a checked out the restored Wild West Express round of mini golf. The Mid-Atlantic already by . Many members enjoyed the has a strong collection of amusement parks unlimited bumper boat rides on this hot and I think you are witnessing the birth of day and a very competitive go-kart race another one. went down to the wire. Thanks to the regional rep team for another Milo Pennock enjoyed his day by hitting outstanding event. milestone number 600 on the Wild West

Express. Of course there was the unlimited For more pictures of the historic car that Erik Photo: Erik Stottylmeyer, Sam Marks and shameless rides on the Tumbleweed is restoring, check out past year’s pictures on coaster. our Facebook page. We also have other great shots Erik has taken of our group, including We gathered for our pizza lunch and one shot from above on the Wild West Express received some great donated t-shirts from during its inaugural debut at Adventure Park Roller Coaster Race promoting their event USA. at Six Flags America. Erik Stottylmeyer stopped by to give us some updates on the future plans of the park and the challenges of restoring these coasters back to daily operation.

Photo: , ACE Mid-Atlantic

Rebel Yell - Summer 2016 7 Photo: Wild West Day Group Photo, ACE Mid-Atlantic

ACE Mid-Atlantic members take a moment for the customary group shot underneath Wildcat during the annual Wild West Fun Day event.

Around the Region and Back ACE Mid-Atlantic Team

The Biggest Party of the Year Trimpers Appreciates Its Customers Regional Representative A week after our region’s own events The fabled seaside park in Ocean City, Elizabeth Ringas (Fall Thrillfest, Celebrate America, and A MD will be honoring their longtime fans Night at the Virginia State Fair), Knoebels by providing wristbands for $12 on the Assistant Regional Representatives in eastern Pennsylvania will be holding afternoon of September 25th. Patrons Jennifer Bock their annual enthusiast and family event, will be able to ride until 5pm. The park Corey Brown Phoenix Phall Phunfest. opens at noon. Bill Galvin Evangelos Ringas This event has become a huge gathering, Wonder Woman Towering Over one where people come together to ride, Superman? Communications socialize, and camp all night under the As we’ve mentioned, Six Flags America Vanessa Thomas stars. will be adding their tallest ride yet. A sign in the park indicates it may sit next to New Members If you’ve never been to Knoebels, one Superman, sharing airspace. John Mellott should consider PPP. It can give you a great first glimpse at just how much Find Us on Social Media Paper Registrations passion and love there is for a family- We’re active on social media. You can Billy Tyson owned park that has kept creating new find our region onTwitter and Facebook. memories for more than 90 years. Aside from the periodic emails we send Regional Archivist out to members, we’ll often post updates Shannon Somerville Boo! That Was Scary and exclusive information on our social The season is upon us. That time where media sites. Be sure to like and tweet us Website Management ghouls start coming out. often. Use the hashtags #ridewithace. Wesley Friend

Six Flags America will begin their Always Looking for Help About the Organization FrightFest activities on September 24th. Like to write? Awesome at taking American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) is a non-profit King’s Dominion will start their Haunt on pictures? We’re always looking for people organization with nearly 7000 members in the United the 30th. And Busch Gardens will begin to help us fill this newsletter with great States and more than a dozen other countries. The their Howl-O-Screams on the 23rd. feature stories and photography. Email us mission of ACE is to create fellowship among its to learn how you can help. members, promote the continued operation of roller Don’t let the goblins get you. coasters and to continue to foster and promote the conservation, appreciation, knowledge, and enjoyment of the classic and the 8 Rebel Yell - Summer 2016 contemporary .