Club News

GOCC Planning Meeting

TBA

GOCC Going to Kings Island

While plans are still being worked out, the Great Ohio Coaster Club will head into southern Ohio to visit Kings Island, Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 22, 2009.  More information soon

GOCC Fall Freak-Out

The Great Ohio Coaster Club will visit Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio on Sunday, September 13, 2009, with ERT on Magnum XL-200 and Maverick.  Details are being worked out, with more information coming.  Possible add-on day on Saturday to Memphis Kiddie park.

GOCC Holiday Party

The annual GOCC Holiday Party will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at the Schmidt's Sausage haus, in the German Village area of Columbus, Ohio.  Details coming.

Park and Industry News

Holiday Specials at Conneaut Lake park

Stricker's Grove Open to Public July 4

The small private amusement park, Stricker's Grove, Ross, Ohio, will be open to the general public on July 4, 2009 from 3PM-11PM.  Admission to the park is free, but you can pay per ride or purchase an all day/night armband to $13.95.  Parking is $5.00.  Stricker's Grove is only open to the general public for 3 days per year, so this is your chance to ride the two wood coasters at the park and enjoy the small park atmosphere.

Discount Tickets to Kennywood

GOCC has discount tickets available to Kennywood Amusement Park, Near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for $21 each.  To purchase, or for information, contact Cathy Schwab, GOCC President

Son of Beast Shut Down for Inspection

Kings Island, Cincinnati, Ohio, has voluntarily closed the Son of Beast rollercoaster indefinately to be inspected and evaluated by the State of Ohio Department of Agriculture.  The park received a report that a lady suffered a burst blood vessel in her brain after riding the Son of Beast.  The report was received 2 weeks after the alleged visit and injury.  The ride will remain closed until the ride has been certified safe by the state.

Six Flags Files Bankruptcy

Six Flags, Inc., and its affiliates, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on June 13, after months of speculation over their massive debt.  The bankruptcy will not affect day to day operations and all parks will continue to operate during the prearranged reorganization.  They listed $3 billion in assets and $2.4 billion in debt.  Six Flags has not posted a profit since 1998.  The current management team is expected to stay in place.

NAPHA Sanfilippo Event

NAPHA will once again have an event at the Sanfilippo Estate and tour the Eden Palais carousel on September 12, 2009.  CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION

Heading to Orlando...List of Discounts

A list of discounts available at Orlando area theme parks are available at the WHNT-TV19 WEBSITE,

GOCC on Facebook

We have started a page on Facebook for the Great Ohio Coaster Club.  For those on Facebook, search for it and join, upload pictures, video, and post items on the wall.

Joining and Renewing Reminder

With the coaster season around the corner, many amusement park events require membership in a coaster club (like GOCC).  If you are planning to attend these events, and you need to join GOCC, PLEASE remember to apply early.  There is always a rush of applications to the Membership Director at the last minute, and if you run late, we can not guarantee that you will receive your membership card in time for the event!  JOIN EARLY!!!  Application and information are on the JOIN PAGE OF THIS WEBSITE.

Camping Perk for GOCC Members

Planning to head to Cedar Point and need a place to camp?  Camp Sandusky is offering special prices, for GOCC members, for camp sites, or for their Amish built cabins.  They are offering 10% off to GOCC members the rest of the season.  To get the discount, mention the Great Ohio Coaster Club and show your membership card on check-in.  They have over 200 camp sites and are only 6 miles from Cedar Point, at 3518 Tiffin St., Sandusky.  WEBSITE.

Indiana Beach Coaster Weekend

You can go Hawg Wild at Indiana Beach's Coaster Weekend, August 14-15, 2009.  The Monticello, Indiana amusement park will welcome card carrying members of coaster enthusiast organizations (like GOCC) to their park with ERT on Steel Hawg, Cornball Express, and Hurricane.  The cost for those with their ID will be $25 per person for both Friday & Saturday (Combo Passes as well as both ERT’s), members may bring up to 3 guest at this special price of $25 per person.  Anyone dining at the Skyroom, will receive $3 off their meals with their Coaster Enthusiast membership card.  No pre-registration is necessary.  For more information, call 574-583-4144.  Indiana Beach also has a new redesigned website and will offer free general admission in 2009.

New Pictures To Be Posted Soon

I have received a lot of pictures from GOCC members John Marn, Cathy Schwab, Michael Burkes and Ray Osburn/Gravity Photography.  I am getting the pictures ready for the website and will have them up soon.  May is one of the busiest months in our business, and we traditionally run behind this time of year.  Thanks for the understanding.