Coasterbash TR

[kidcoaster 2]

Every year for the last 20 years ACE western pa hold coasterbash. this year was the 20th anniversary and the night was themed to the 80's because 1989 was the first year for Coasterbash.

 

I arrived shortly after 2pm. I meant up with some people I know from volunteer weekends at CLP and also did some buying. Of course you know all us ACEr's just love buffets and the Brochure Buffet was no different just about park had a flyer on the table along with upcoming event flyers. I pick up a bunch of cheap park items.

 

Throughout the whole night they played commercials from the 80s from local parks. They played one geauga lake made bashing sea world on the prices to enter there park. And alot of older ones of Conneaut Lake Park

 

Summer Flashback 1993-2008

 

The opening for the event was a very well done video. The music was themed to The A team. But it was The ACE Team. Introducing our regional reps.

 

Well next up was a flash back from 1993 - 2008. It was interesting seeing all of the changes in our parks over the years. The Blue Streak bash was also showed showing the event for when the Blue Streak reopened in 1997. Alot about Kennywood and other parks.

 

New Coasters 2008

 

Followed was a video of the new coasters of 2008. Every new coaster in the US was showed. With the Ravine Flyer at the end it is the best coaster in our region.

 

White Swan Park & the 1st Kenny Con in 1989

 

I never heard of White Swan before this video. Before the first coaster con a group of Ace descended on White Swan for a day of fun and coaster riding. We apparently it turned out to be the last season because the land was seized by the Goverment for a new high way. It was a nice looking park with a wild mouse and a galaxy. Also they claimed to have the longest mini train ride in the world. It was nice but sad at the same time.

 

The first Kenny Con was showed next. They started it because Coaster Con that year was held at Dorney and Kenny Con was put on so those coming from the west could add a day on at Kennywood for those who have never been there. Well the video was interesting because of how different the park was back then showing the entrance under the Laser loop and pre lost Kennywood.

 

More videos

 

Wisp Mountain Resort, Rollo Coasters birthday celebration and Knott's berry Farm were next. Wisp looks like a nice place with the Mountain Coaster which would be fun. Rollo Coasters birthday was nice with a cake and a lot of games. And of course I don't need to tell you about Knott's.

 

Adventureland

 

Jeff Filicko of Kennywood gave us a behind the scenes look at Adventureland. He brought with him video from teh shoot which showed the stars taking a spin on the Jack Rabbit for one of the breaks and some of the shoots for the video. He told us of several problems in the shoot including the Director of Adventureland wanting to turn the bumper cars to full speen by a lever under the cars and Maintmence thought for the entance for Adventureland with the Phantom in the back round was put in with concrete but it was not. Also told us that the extras would ride the rides at 3 in the morning T-shirts Tanktops and shorts while they would just leave the ride running till the shoot was right. He also brought the preview which I had seen many times before but just keeps getting better. Make sure you see it April 3rd in the theater.

 

Back to the Future 1980s photo contest

 

Dave Hahner put an interesting contest together on photos taken at parks in the 1980's Alot of them were with CLP and of course I got thouse and only missed 4 out of 32. Very nice and I heard someone in the crowd say whats Conneaut?

 

My Kennywood Memories

 

The winner of the K Tube kennyood video contest was showed showing all of the memories from pam Kanai. She metioned the Ferris Wheel, among others and was very well done.

 

Mary Lou Rosemeyer

 

As many of you heard her position at Kennywood has been phased out by the new company in charge. This will be her last summer at the park as the PR person. Well she was bright spirited and spoke seriously to us about the 4 moments in her life she will ever forget. I don't want to menton the first 3 as the may be a bit personal to her but the last one she said was the day she found out she had lost her job at the park. She told us she remembered when she could take us anywhere we asked up the coaster tracks and behind the sences and of all of the events she helped put together and well it was very emotional for her. Rick Davis teh founder of DAFE presented her with a plaque thanking her for help and for helping arrange the first ever Dafe event. Also ACE Western Pa presented Mary with admission to any ACE western pa event for the rest of her life. She started crying and when she started crying with happiness when all of us stood applauding her for all she has done. It was very emotional. and she deserved all she got. I hope mary can find another job easily.

 

Dinner Break

 

We were at the Ninja from SFMM table and of course we were last to be called. But the food was great chicken tenderloin paste and so fresh salad very food. The items for the silent action included flags that flew on the Voyage and Raven. Some signs and Chain links. Also a peice of Phantom Revenge track was also up for grabs. Also on the chinese action table were a waldameer package which was an Employee shirt flags from the Ravine Flyer and other items. Also an Internship for a day at Kennywood. It could include any dept including rides.

 

Kennywood Presentation

 

Mary Lou and Jeff Filicko told us what is new at Kennywood.

The slogan for Kennywood is Make New Memories.

The Phantoms Revenge Received new track and they had pictures of it apparently it is all done now.

The BAYERN KURVE is not set up yet.

The Train ride will no long tell the history of pittsburgh but will now tell the history of Kennywood.

They will have season passes

 

The Golden Kenny Award

 

This year it was given to a whole family instead of a single person ( Sorry cant remember the name of the family)

 

Yokohama Cosmo World

 

This year ACE's Vice President missed ridefest at lakemont to visit japan on business and got some great shots of the park and the coaster. Vanish

 

Waldameer Presentation

 

Steve Gorman of Waldameer was at the event and told us about the changes

 

Disko is the new ride for this year and will be at the south end of the park by the Bumper Cars.

New Rail road crossings will be put in

the Park will go smoke free

New Games

New Pavilions

The Ravine Flyer one best new ride of 2008

Also he said it was the best year ever for the park

His son will be joining the park this year and invisions a new coaster

He also told us they got the idea for the Disko when they visited Kennywood and meant Mary Lou and asked what non coaster ride has been popular and she showed them THE COSMIC CHAOS.

The Comet cars were sent to PTC for a complete over haul. (I think we may have broke it during the film shoot )

 

Steve Also brought the video Robb shoot back the tuesday after the ride opened with several of us. No one booed or anything like that. It got alot of great feedback and thought some of it was funny. Especailly the 90 Degress bit.

 

Idlewild

Jeff Croushore of Idlewild was next and did a bit of a game show on the match game. alot of fun was had and he was so entertaining. He told us several changes including a Mouse car on the midway so people can get there pictures taken in it. A new tea cups ride and and new tree house for jumpin jungle.

 

Pittsburgh amusement park history

 

The final presentation was on the parks around the pittsburgh area of 1904. Including the park that used to be on point park and several others which included 16. Very well done sorry dont remember much of it.

 

The whole night was fun and it ended in a video of the ending of the Mr. Rodgers ride at idlewild. Very funny

 

Well the whole night was fun I walked away with enough Brochures to equal 15 TPR bags o crap. and T shirts pins and DVD's great fun cant wait for Spring Fling march 28th.

 

Thanks