National ‘Coaster Day’ celebrated at Oaks Park

While it’s far from the biggest, you’ll be astounded to learn how many thrill rides this new East Portland roller coaster has given, since it opened this spring …

People are “head over heals” enjoying “National Roller Coaster Day” at Oaks Amusement Park as they take a spin on their new “Adrenaline Peak” roller coaster.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Scores of families came out on August 16, “National Roller Coaster Day”, to celebrate the occasion with a ride or two on the new “Adrenaline Peak” attraction at historic, nonprofit Oaks Amusement Park.

“I’ve been on a lot of ’em, and I tell you, this is a great ride!” exclaimed Ed McCabe, who said he’s here from New York visiting family.

Some riders in his train were too ecstatic, or just too scared, to comment about their own minute-long ride.

Some riders on this train look thrilled, others terrified, as they enter the more-than-vertical first drop on the “Adrenaline Peak” ride.

While “Adrenaline Peak” was one of the smaller ’coasters listed on www.nationalrollercoasterday.com website – although Oaks Park was mentioned twice there – the ride certainly has been popular.

“We’ve had roller coaster enthusiasts from around the nation, and around the world, come to check out “Adrenaline Peak” – with its loops, inversion, and steeper-than-straight-down first drop,” grinned Oaks Marketing & Events Director Emily MacKay.

These “Adrenaline Peak” riders are enjoying the thrill of swooshing around the “Immelmann Loop”.

“It’s been a great season so far, due in so small part to “Adrenaline Peak”, MacKay told East Portland News – as another group of riders stepped into the ride.

“Since it opened in March, it has given more than 50,000 rides,” MacKay enumerated. “We call that wildly successful!”

Traveling swiftly through the “Adrenaline Peak” helical “Heartline Roll” gives riders a new perspective of Oaks Amusement Park.

Some patrons have taken full advantage of their “premiere ride bracelet” offering unlimited rides; “The record, to date, is one person taking 30 rides in a day,” MacKay said.

Whether or not you choose to ride the big thrill rides, there’s still time to take the family on a fun, summer outing to Oaks Amusement Park, now run by a permanent nonprofit foundation. It’s open daily from noon until 9:00 p.m. (except Mondays), until school starts.

Another train of riders heads “over the hill” on the Oaks Amusement Park “Adrenaline Peak” roller coaster.

Find out more at their official website: CLICK HERE.

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