MEDUSA’s Tenth Anniversary Celebration

ACE members pose for a group photo during MEDUSA’s tenth anniversary celebration.

Ten years ago, the coaster wars were raging in Northern California. Stealth versus Medusa generated a lot of media buzz with competing media preview days, a war of words about which was truly the world’s first flying coaster, and even airplanes flying about with banners touting the two coasters. Today, the coaster scene in Northern California is without coaster wars and many children are too young to even remember Stealth. Thanks to Nancy Chan, Charles Laureano, and their colleagues at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, NorCal ACE members got to experience a re-creation of Medusa’s original media preview on the occasion of the roller coaster’s tenth anniversary. While the tenth anniversary celebration was held on 25 March, Nancy pointed out that the original date had been 17 March 2000.

ACEers in attendance were treated to ultra ERT on Medusa. All were “wowed” by the generous spread of Greek food provided. The park commissioned a special tenth anniversary Medusa poster that was given out to all attendees. Door prize winners were Elliott Fong, who received a basket of Medusa memorabilia, and Roni Wolfe, who won a framed copy of the special Medusa poster that was signed by the artist.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom kindly provided ACE members with complimentary parking and free admission to the event. Upon conclusion of the Medusa celebration, attendees were welcome to spend the rest of the day enjoying the park.

Many thanks again go to Nancy Chan, Charles Laureano, and the rest of the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom staff for inviting ACE to such a fun and memorable event!

Scroll down for more photos.

See also:

+ news story and video about the event — http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_14763634

+ Six Flags Discovery Kingdom photo album of the event on Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=197544&id=59636827742

+ recent NBC Bay Area report on Medusa (not taped at the anniversary event) — http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/weird/Coaster_Too_Much_for_This_Reporter_Bay_Area.html

This sign includes the commemorative MEDUSA’s tenth anniversary poster.

MEDUSA ERT!
Photo by friendly, helpful ACEer.

Andy, Ellis, Ray, and Mike
Photo by friendly, helpful ACEer.

Tom Fox expresses his opinion of MEDUSA during ERT.
Photo by friendly, helpful ACEer.

Ellis, Karley, and Eugene

Matthew, Rick, Roni, and Ian

MEDUSA turned her into stone.

Elliott Fong accepts his MEDUSA prize basket from Charles Laureano.

Captain Lee presents prize winner Roni Wolfe with a framed copy of the commemorative MEDUSA poster signed by the artist.

— All photos by Steven Wilson unless otherwise indicated.