Roller coaster enthusiasts from across the United States will flock to Cedar Point for a spring coaster celebration May 18-20, 2012. The weekend-long event is the annual Spring Conference of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), which will be held Friday through Sunday at Cedar Point. Highlights of the conference will include several hours of riding all 16 Cedar Point roller
coasters.
Wood coaster connoisseurs crave the carefree “airtime” sensations on Cedar Point’s historic Blue Streak, while steel coaster aficionados in attendance are eager to get their fill of speed, heights, and spine-tingling inversions of the modern Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, Maverick, and Raptor during the Exclusive Ride Time (ERT) sessions. Attendees will enjoy camaraderie with like-minded people and share stories of coasters ridden in all corners of the world as many ACE members have traveled to Europe, Central America and Asia to enjoy that next great thrill. Anywhere there is a coaster, you will find an ACEer.
A highlight of the event will take place the afternoon of Saturday, May 19, when the members of ACE will present a memorial plaque to Cedar Point honoring legendary coaster designer Ron Toomer. Mr. Toomer’s career spanned 93 roller coasters from 1966 to 1998, with Cedar Point being home to five of Mr. Toomer’s coaster creations: Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Corkscrew, Gemini, Iron Dragon, and the world-renowned Magnum XL-200. As Mr. Toomer’s coasters were a critical part of the exploding popularity and growth of both roller coasters and Cedar Point during the latter part of the 20th Century, it is fitting that Cedar Point is receiving this award highlighting Mr. Toomer’s vital importance to the development of the steel roller coaster. Unfortunately, Ron passed away last September. However, his wife Betty and daughter Carol will be attending this very special presentation as guests of Cedar
Point and ACE.
More information on the event can be found at www.AmericanCoasterEnthusiasts.org. Founded in 1978, ACE is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, appreciation and safe enjoyment of roller coasters. With more than 5,200 members across the U.S., Europe and Japan, ACE is the largest amusement park enthusiast organization in the world. Members of ACE receive bi-monthly newsletters, quarterly magazines, as well as the opportunity to attend national and local coaster events at parks each year. In addition, numerous shows made for
cable networks such as the Travel Channel have prominently featured ACE. Ultimately, ACE’s mission is to promote, preserve and enjoy roller coasters everywhere, regardless of type or size.
