Puyallup Fair 9-9-02
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After not riding anything since June 27th when I went to Silverwood for the first time,I was due for a coaster fix.After tenatively making plans to meet with some fellow Coasterbuzz members there it was decided Monday,Sept 9th would be the day to go.Unfortunately,some things came up with other people I was to meet there.Despite this, I made the 145 mile trek from Portland to Puyallup,home of the Western Washington Fairgrounds. I got there around 12:00 noon, paid $5 to park, $9 for admission, and I was in.I took a quick walk to the midway ,then went to check out Supreme Scream.It was just being test run as I arrived at the fair.This is an S & S drop tower ride,similar to Hellevator at the Vancouver PNE/Playland.Once at the ticket booth for Supreme Scream,I saw that one ride was $10. I decided that my money was better spent on what I came up here to do, riding coasters!I bought a book of 20 tickets for $14.There is also a POP wristband available for $17.50, however it is not valid for rides on Supreme Scream or Coaster Thrill Ride.I went over to Coaster TR,After a 2 train wait for the last seat ,I was on board the very comfortable Prior & Church train. Once up the lift hill,the train goes through a double down,then up into an impossibly tight turnaround. Then it goes into a couple of camelbacks into a turnaround right over the station.On each of the drops there is a nice little pop of airtime.After the second turnaround,the ride finishes with a drop, another double down, bunny hop, a couple more bunny hops,then you hit the brakerun. I was surprised by how long of ride CTR was for only having a lift hill of only 57 feet.Coaster Thrill Ride is an ACE Coaster Classic built in 1935 by John Miller and is operates with Prior & Church trains from a defunct coaster in Vancouver,BC. Coaster Thrill ride is a great family coaster.It has enough thrills for a seasoned coaster enthuisiast,but not too scary for someone who may have trepidations about riding a coaster.I later returned for more rides with one in the front seat so I could get photos of the ride. I also got in ride on the Schwartzkopf Wildcat coaster.I ran afowl of the the no single rider rule on this ride,so I waited until a group of 3 came to ride and was able to get in a ride with them.The Wildcat is a nice blend of drops and helixes.I liked this ride better than the Schwartkopf Jet Star at Thrillville USA in Turner,OR, which is is mostly laterals and helixes.But then,I prefer airtime over laterals.
After the Wildcat,I went over to the Monster Mouse,which is a Allan Herschell coaster.There was a no single riders rule in force on this coaster.There use to be an identical coaster to this at Oaks Park in Portland,OR which I rode hundreds of times between 1974 and 1996.So I snap a few photos for old times sake,and decide to skip it.
I went to the Hobby Hall,and check out a few exhibits.There was an impressive model of a 2 1/2 inch scale Colorado & Southern Railroad combine coach,A large modular O scale three rail model railroad,and an impressive display of coaster memorabilia diplayed by Lisa Zigweid,an area ACE member.
After a lunch of cheeseburger,fries,and coffee,I go get in few more rides on Coaster Thrill Ride.I then learn that Coaster TR is available to rent at anytime that the fair is not open to the public.Something for us enthusiasts to think about for some ERT,maybe?
I went back over to Supreme Scream and think about taking a ride.Despite the ride ops best sales pitch,I pass.$10 for a 45 second ride I cant' justify.I can ride the PNE Hellevator with a POP admission.AT this point I close out my coaster season for 2002 and head for home.
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I can fix anything.....where is the duct tape?
*** This post was edited by Ronald S. Anderson on 9/12/2002. ***
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www.tripowered.com
Hunter 11,You can still make it up to the Puyallup Fair this year.It is open until Sept. 22.If you can ,go during the week. It is less crowded then.
If you are interested in meeting another Coasterbuzz member in the Portland area,stop in at the Hollywood West Fred Meyer store on NE 30th & Broadway.Go to the produce dept. and ask for Ron. All my co-workers know that I am a coaster enthusiast.
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I can fix anything.....where is the duct tape?
*** This post was edited by Ronald S. Anderson on 9/13/2002. ***
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