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Theme Park to Partner with American Coaster Enthusiasts Club
to Celebrate Anniversary of First Modern Roller Coaster
JACKSON, N.J. ─ June 14, 2022 ─ Six Flags Great Adventure, the Northeast’s Largest Thrill Park, will partner with American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), the world’s largest club of amusement ride enthusiasts, and join theme parks across North America to celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the first modern roller coaster.
 
On Thursday at 2 p.m., local ACE members will fill a train of El Toro, recently voted the No. 1 roller coaster in America by 10Best!, and ride simultaneously with fellow members across the country. The ride will celebrate the engineering, architecture, history, entertainment and marvels of roller coasters that began June 16, 1884 with the opening of La Marcus Thompson’s Switchback Railway at Coney Island and emphasize the importance of preserving and enjoying these treasures.
 
“Roller coasters fill us with fears, thrills, laughter and screams, but most importantly, they offer us the opportunity to make unforgettable memories with family and friends,” said Elizabeth Ringas, ACE’s communications director. “ACE is proud to take this moment to celebrate this anniversary with parks across North America during World Roller Coaster Appreciation Month.”
 
La Marcus Thompson’s Switchback Railway at Coney Island, a gravity-powered out-and-back ride that took its inspiration from a mining railway, is known as America’s first roller coaster. Thompson’s Switchback Railway stood where the current-day Coney Island Cyclone, celebrating its 95th anniversary later this month, still operates.
 
“Roller coasters allow our minds to escape the stresses of life even if for just a few moments,” Ringas added. Based on his study at Thorpe Park in England, Dr. David Lewis reported that riding roller coasters could reduce anxiety levels and increase feelings of happiness and self-confidence, enhancing the impact of the memories we make.
More about World Roller Coaster Appreciation Month can be found at www.worldrollercoastermonth.com
 
About Six Flags Great Adventure, Wild Safari and Hurricane Harbor
Six Flags Great Adventure is the World’s Largest Thrill Park with world-class, award-winning rides like Kingda Ka, Nitro, and Jersey Devil Coaster. The park offers two areas just for the littlest guests and great family rides for the whole family, plus entertainment, shopping, and a wide variety of dining options. Its Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure is one of the largest self-guided drive-through safari outside of Africa and gets guests up-close to more than 1,200 animals from around the globe in the privacy of their own vehicles. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is one of the Northeast’s largest waterparks with more than 25 refreshing attractions for the whole family. www.sixflags.com/greatadventure


About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of waterparks in North America, with 27 parks across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. For 60 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling waterparks and unique attractions. Six Flags is committed to creating an inclusive environment that fully embraces the diversity of our team members and guests. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com.
 
About ACE
Founded in 1978, American Coaster Enthusiasts is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, appreciation and safe enjoyment of roller coasters. With 6,500 members worldwide, ACE is the largest and longest-running enthusiast organization in the world. Members of ACE receive exclusive park benefits, newsletters, magazines and the opportunity to attend national, local and even international tours at parks. ACE has been prominently featured on various news programs and many cable networks such as the Travel Channel.
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