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Volume 1, No. 11. June 29, 2001

A model son
If there's a rumor sweeping through Pennsylvania about various waterparks getting a new family raft ride, blame my son, Ian (above). Only one-third into our two-week excursion through the state—which started with the American Coaster Enthusiasts annual convention at HersheyPark and Dorney Park—we attended ACE's banquet and fund-raising auction, where Ian successfully bid on the architectural model of Dorney's Pepsi Aquablast donated by the Allentown park.

It was his per diem money, he could buy whatever he wanted; he just never judged the size of the model vis-a-vis the size of my Suburu Outback, which already was packed for three (older son Jon being the other) doing a two-week trip. As Keith Koepke, assistant director of marketing at Dorney, helped me load the model into the car, I thought I would have to decide between shipping home the Aquablast or Ian. With just enough space for his head, Ian agreed to withstand the cramped conditions for the remainder of the trip. We visited Camelbeach, Knoebels, Lakemont, DelGrosso's, and Idlewild with the model in full view of those parks' guests, some of whom gawked and pointed at the structure, perhaps wondering if it would be next year's new attraction.

While one of the posters auctioned off would have been easier to pack, bidding for them far outstripped Ian's budget. And though he incurred on us the chore of lugging this model around, at least the ACE Museum fund is $40 richer thanks to Ian and Dorney, and Ian's fellow ACErs enjoyed watching the 12-year-old bask in the thrill of making a winning bid. However, I would like to offer a special thank you to another person hugely responsible for getting the model back to our Dayton home: Jon, who had to help me carry the thing into and out of successive motel rooms.

If your park truly has a new attraction opening soon, give us a holler here at THE LOOP by emailing eric@gettheloop.com or calling me. In North America, it's a toll-free call, 888-902 LOOP, outside North America call 1-937-296-9796.Back to THE LOOP