| MYRTLE BEACH — Close to 200 roller coaster experts will descend upon South Carolina and North Carolina from April 29 – May 1 at the 2016 Spring Conference of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE). The event will kick off at Family Kingdom on April 29. Aficionados are excited about experiencing the classic thrills of Swamp Fox, the beloved seaside wooden coaster built by legendary coaster designer John Allen. Allen was one of the key figures in coaster design in the mid-20th century, responsible for multiple renowned roller coasters across the nation. Conference attendees will continue on in South Carolina at Carowinds on Saturday. The visit to Family Kingdom on April 29 will be particularly significant as the organization will present a large historical marker at the park designating Swamp Fox as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark. The classic wooden coaster dates back to 1966. “Members from around the country are excited to visit Family Kingdom and ride the latest ACE roller coaster landmark – Swamp Fox,” says ACE President Jerry Willard. “As one of the few remaining seaside parks, Family Kingdom and its classic wooden coaster are a rare treat for conference attendees.” “The fact that this ride has triumphantly survived through multiple hurricanes and still thrills families to this day is remarkable,” says Communications Director Tim Baldwin. “What a testament to the dedication of the park and the true value of the entertainment this iconic ride provides for vacationers year after year.” Members of American Coaster Enthusiasts will enjoy privileges such as exclusive ride time before and after the parks open during the Spring Conference. American Coaster Enthusiasts organize two national conferences a year, in addition to one week-long annual convention. Founded in 1978, American Coaster Enthusiasts is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, appreciation and safe enjoyment of roller coasters. With more than 5,000 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 events at parks. ACE has been prominently featured on various news programs and many cable networks such as the Travel Channel. |
