7 Parks... 22 Coasters... Countless Friends!

CoasterBash! XXXVII

Salvatore's - South Hills of Pittsburgh

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Event will be held rain, snow (blizzard) or shine

Join us for the 37th edition of CoasterBash! As always, you can count on CoasterBash! to provide a wide variety of presentations, an all-you-can-eat dinner, unlimited soft drinks, the CoasterBash! Photo Contest, a cash bar, the ACE Preservation Fund Sales Table, vendors, a silent auction, door prizes and more!

Event Highlights

Pete Carmichael, Six Flags Regional General Manager of Northeast Parks (including Six Flags New England and Six Flags Great Escape) will provide an overview and welcome to Coaster Con 48, which includes Six Flags New England and Six Flags Great Escape.
Hunter Lawrence of The Gravity Group will talk wood coasters!
Brian Butko and Leslie Przybylek of the Heinz History Center will deliver some exciting news.
Steve Gorman of Waldameer & Water World will give an update on what's new at the park.
Rick Knoebel of Knoebels Amusement Resort will give a rundown on what to expect for the legendary park's 100th year.
Jeff Croushore of Idlewild and SoakZone will provide an update on the park's 2026 season.
Mark Frazee of Kennywood will provide an update on its plans for the 2026 season.
Janine Rebbie Matscherz of Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters will give a rundown on all the new trains and refurbishments they've been working on over the past year.
Author and historian Jim Futrell will discuss Knoebels' 100 year history.
The Golden Kenny Award winner will be announced.
The debut of the "New Coasters of 2025" video by Ken Simmons.
PLUS...

...featuring Chicken Romano with Lemon Cream Sauce, Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy, Baked Ziti (vegetarian), Parsley Red Potatoes, Glazed Baby Carrots, Tossed Salad, Orzo Salad, and CoasterBash! Cake!

Tentative Schedule

1:30 - 3 p.m. Registration/Social Time

3 - 6 p.m. Presentations Segment #1

6 - 7:30 p.m. Dinner

7:30 - 10:30 p.m. Presentations Segment #2

Sales Tables open during social time, breaks and dinner only.

Registration Information

EVENT REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE

Mail-in registration is not available.

Registration is open through Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Registration Fees

ACE Member - $52.00

Child Member (3-11) - $44.00

Non-member - $62.00

All memberships are verified as current by event organizers. Each person registered as a member must include their unique membership number or the registration will otherwise be rejected.

Non-members may attend only if registered with and accompanied by a member.

Payment accepted only from current ACE members.

Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be issued less a $10/person cancellation fee if notice is given by Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Cancellations must be made by phone to Elena Marziale at 412.337.3813.

NOTE: No materials will be provided in advance. All registration materials are picked up at the event.

There will be NO refunds issued after Tuesday, February 24, 2026

You do not need to print a ticket and bring it with you to the event. Simply use your name to check-in at the event when you arrive.

CoasterBash! XXXVII Bake Sale

The CoasterBash! XXXVII Bake Sale is on! Attendees will be able to purchase delicious treats baked by their fellow members, with all proceeds benefitting the ACE Preservation Fund. We encourage you to crank up your mixers and bake something to contribute to the Bake Sale. Hand-held baked goods (cookies, brownies, etc.) are preferred as they sell better than cake or cupcakes. To participate and contribute some sweet treats, please complete the simple CoasterBash! XXXVII Bake Sale Form.

Vendor Information

Vendor Sales Tables are limited and will be issued on a first-to-request basis. To request a Vendor Sales table, visit this form, read all of the information in it and complete it thoroughly. All CoasterBash! vendors and anyone assisting them must be registered to attend the event. Vendor Sales Table Request Forms may be submitted through February 21 or until all space has been committed, whichever comes first. The cost is $10 payable the day of the event), along with providing at least one door prize valued at $15 or more. All who complete the Vendor Sales Table Request Form will be contacted via email to confirm the sales table or be informed otherwise.

UPDATE: As of February 10, all vendor space has been fully committed. Anyone interested in a Vendor Sales Table may complete the form to be placed on a wait list should more space become available.

CoasterBash! XXXVII Photo Contest

Rules & Procedures:

The 13th Annual CoasterBash! Photo Contest is open to any current ACE member who is attending CoasterBash! The contest coordinator is Jason Ballard (contact: jason.ballard67@gmail.com).
Each entrant may submit no more than two unframed photographs. Each photo must be original and have been taken by the entrant. Photos may have either a glossy or a matte finish and may be printed in color, black and white or sepia tone. Photographs may not be smaller than 8 x 10 inches and no larger than 11 x 14 inches. If the photograph has a border, the picture area still must be no smaller than 8 x 10 inches and the entire photo, including border, no larger than 11 x 14 inches. Photographs may not be attached to a matte or framing board. No photograph may have the entrant’s identification anywhere on it.
Submitted photos must be roller coaster-related. Though other attractions may appear, any photo not showing an existing or a defunct roller coaster will not be accepted for entry into the contest. No on-ride photos will be accepted. Any gestures, wording or subject matter contained within a photograph that may be viewed as offensive will disqualify the photo. Any winning (top three) photo from any previous CoasterBash! or any other ACE photo contest is ineligible.
Each entrant's photograph(s) shall be submitted at the event on on March 7, 2026, between the hours of 1 and 2:15 p.m. All entrants must provide the name of all coaster(s) and park(s) featured in each photograph entered.
All entries will be displayed for viewing at the time and location specified on the official CoasterBash! schedule distributed to all attendees at the event. The deadline for casting ballots will also be specified on the official schedule. As with all event activities, this information is subject to change, and in such an instance, due notice will be given through various announcements.
Care and precautions will be taken to protect all entered photographs. However, each participant must use every precaution to protect their photos, as neither ACE Western Pennsylvania nor the Photo Contest Coordinator and other volunteers will be held responsible for any stolen, lost or damaged property.
Winning photographs will be chosen by popular vote. Each CoasterBash! attendee will receive one official voting ballot at registration check-in on arrival at the event. No other ballots, including replacements for lost ballots, will be distributed or accepted. CoasterBash! attendees will be able to indicate on their ballots their choices for first, second and third place. Each first place vote will earn three points; each second place vote will earn two points; and each third place vote will receive one point. No photograph may be voted for more than once on any single ballot, and any such action will void the entire ballot. The three entries with the highest number of points will be awarded first, second and third place, respectively. Any winning entry may not be re-entered into any future CoasterBash! photo contests.
Winning photographs and entrants will be announced near the end of the event's presentation program. Awards will be presented for each of the winning entries. All winning entries become the property of ACE Western Pennsylvania and will be retained for possible publication in a future issue of an ACE publication and/or inclusion on one or more of ACE’s websites, with proper credit and identification.
Non-winning photographs may be reclaimed from the Photo Contest coordinator and volunteers at the end of the event, once the presentation program has ended.
The ACE Western Pennsylvania Regional Representative or Contest Coordinator reserves the right to revise the schedule that is described or implied herein. The interpretation of these rules by the contest coordinator is final. Contact the contest coordinator with any questions or comments.

Get Social With Us

Receive Facebook notifications for event updates and other information, by indicating "Going" or "Interested" on the CoasterBash! XXXVII Facebook event page.

Lodging Information

There is no official hotel for this event. However, the following four facilities are only a few miles away, all along Lebanon Church Road.

Hampton Inn 412.650.1000

Holiday Inn Express 412.469.1900

SpringHill Suites by Marriott 412.653.9800

Wyndham by Wingate 412.653.6600

Driving Directions

TO SALVATORE'S:

The address for Salvatore's is: 5001 Curry Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236

General directions from Pittsburgh: Take Route 51 south (after the Liberty Tunnel you will go through 14+ traffic signals (after traveling approximately four miles) after passing a McDonalds (on the left), turn right onto Brownsville Road (traffic light at intersection). Follow Brownsville Road for .3 mile and turn left at the first light. This will still be Brownsville Road. After the turn, follow Brownsville Road for .2 miles and turn right onto Curry Road. Follow Curry Road for .7 miles and just after the underpass, Salvatore’s will be on the left. It is located in a small shopping center.

From the Pittsburgh International Airport area and points West: Follow I-376 east toward Pittsburgh. Exit on to Route 51 south towards Uniontown immediately before the Fort Pitt Tunnels to downtown Pittsburgh. Then follow the "General directions from Pittsburgh" above.

From the Monroeville area and points East: Take I-376 west towards Pittsburgh and exit onto the Boulevard of the Allies (exit 2B). Merge onto the Boulevard of the Allies and follow signs for the Liberty Bridge. Merge into the right lane on the bridge and remain in the right lane through the Liberty Tunnel. Immediately after exiting the tunnel, take the second exit on the right for Route 51 south towards Uniontown. Then follow the "General directions from Pittsburgh" above.

From points North: Take I-279 south to I-579 south. On I-579, stay in the far left lane, which will eventually exit on to the Liberty Bridge. Get in the right lane on the Liberty Bridge and remain in the right lane through the Liberty Tunnel. Immediately after exiting the tunnel, take the second exit on the right for Route 51 south towards Uniontown. Those coming from the Ohio Turnpike, can either exit at Exit #28 and take I-79 south to I-279 south and follow the directions above from points North (Mapquest recommended route) OR exit at #10 and follow I-376 east (portion toll) towards Pittsburgh and follow the directions from the Pittsburgh International Airport and points west. Then follow the "General directions from Pittsburgh" above.

From area hotels: Turn onto Lebanon Church Road (Route 885 South) toward Route 51. After going under Route 51, travel 1.5 miles and turn right on to Brownsville Road. Proceed for 0.8 miles and turn left on to Hollow Haven Drive (across from the Loose Moose Saloon). Continue 0.5 miles and turn right on to Curry Road. Salvatore's will be on the right in 0.4 miles.

TO AREA HOTELS:

To get to the recommended hotels in the area near Salvatore's, use the directions above to get to Route 51 south. Follow Route 51 south beyond the turn-off indicated in the directions to Salvatore's, through more traffic lights, and take the exit (on the right) for Lebanon-Church Road (Route 885 north) toward West Mifflin. All four recommended hotels are on the right, after approximately 1-2 miles.

If you need directions from any other area, please call Bill Linkenheimer at 412.725.7499.

If you get lost on the day of the event, call Salvatore’s at 412.653.1880.

Fine Print

View Terms & Conditions

SCHEDULE ADVISORY

Inclement weather, equipment problems or other unforeseen circumstances may affect the published schedule. The schedule of events remains tentative and is subject to change based on the venue's operational status and local health restrictions at the time of the event.

REFUNDS AND REGISTRATION FEES

Refunds will not be given after the stated deadline. Registration fees will not be prorated for partial attendance and tickets are nontransferable. Event attendee substitutions are at ACE’s discretion. Permission must be obtained prior to the event, in writing, from the event contact.

The payment of registration fees by, for, or on behalf of participants releases and holds harmless the American Coaster Enthusiasts Worldwide Inc. and its Officers, Directors, Executive Committee Members and representatives from any and all liabilities related to those activities. Returned checks and chargeback disputes will be treated as uncollected debt. ACE reserves the right to execute debt collection following the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

NAME BADGES

You must be registered and your official event name badge must be visible to participate in scheduled event activities.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Members and their guests should be especially aware that their behavior affects ACE’s reputation, and they are expected to abide by ACE’s Code of Conduct at all times during the event and follow all host venue policies, including, but not limited to, alcohol consumption. Members are responsible for the conduct of their nonmember guests. Parents and/or guardians are responsible for supervising minor event attendees. Members found to be in violation of the code are subject to ACE's disciplinary procedures, which may be in the form of, but not limited to, verbal or written warning, membership suspension or involuntary termination.

Any violations of venue policies, including underage alcohol consumption are a violation of section C.1 of ACE’s Code of Conduct and could result in suspension of the member’s ACE membership as well as action by the venue.

ACCESSIBILITY

Should you need special accommodations such as a wheelchair, speech/hearing, etc., refer to the participating venue's policy prior to the event date. Most venues offer a complete guide for guests with a disability.

COVID-19 SAFETY INFORMATION

Although our host venues are making every effort to keep you as healthy and safe as possible, there remains an inherent and elevated risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place and place where people are present. Refer to venue policies for additional information, requirements and latest updates.