The Daily Journal du lieu suivant : Vineland, New Jersey • A5

THE HAMMONTON NEWS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021 5A The Jersey Devil Coaster, scheduled to open in 2020, was billed as the world's tallest, fastest and longest sin- gle-rail coaster. But the eager rider is still waiting to climb aboard. Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, was forced to shut down construction this past summer be- cause of the pandemic. The new coaster is expected to open sometime this year, joining a lineup of 13 roller coasters and 52 other attractions at the park in Ocean County, about 100 miles from New York City. Some version of that scenario is expected to play out at amusement parks across the country, where owners moved ahead with building plans despite the COVID-19 slowdown, or are ready now to bring new on- line.

Sweet upgrades at Hersheypark That's the case at Hersheypark, a theme park in Her- shey, Pennsylvania, which features 70 rides and attrac- tions, including 14 roller coasters. This year's additions to the park, owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts aren't rides that twist, spin or plunge, but three new restaurants and food ven- ues that trade on the chocolate and sweets that made Hershey famous. Here's a look: The Chocolatier will be a full-service restaurant and bar featuring past and present pieces from the park's ride collection, unique views of neighboring at- tractions and a second-story patio with a bar. Milton's Ice Cream Parlor is inspired by Milton Hershey's early ventures that came before his famous chocolate factory. The Sweeterie confectionery kitchen features chocolate-dipped treats, desserts and hand-crafted fudge.

Lost ground Time will tell whether expanded water parks, fresh ice cream and the promise of a fast new roller coaster will bring the crowds back to the nation's amusement parks, including those in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. There is some catching up to do. Six Flags, the world's largest regional theme park company with 27 amusement parks, reported that both attendance and revenue fell in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the previous year. Things hadn't improved much by October when Dis- ney announced the of 28,000 employees. The Whirlwind at Waldameer In Erie, Pennsylvania, management of family-owned Waldameer makes an to add something new each Sometimes it's a ride.

Sometimes it's an ex- pansion of its water park. Sometimes it's both. New for 2020 was a family-oriented spinning roller coaster called Whirlwind. The park also continued to ex- pand its water park, adding a six-lane racing waterslide, the construction of which was delayed by a statewide shutdown on construction. "It was very popular for the people who did come in the park," said Steve Gorman, the park's president.

The problem was that not enough people came to the park. attendance is much lower than we had antici- pated and hoped Gorman said when he was inter- viewed in late July. was optimistic that most people were willing to get out and resume life and have fun. I appear to have been Gorman's hoping this year will be He's hop- ing that the desire to do something fun after a year spent mostly at home will bring the crowds. And he's hoping last year's crop of new rides still unseen and unridden by most of the park's fans will still the glimmer of something new.

A visit to Steelers Country At Kennywood Park, near Pittsburgh, park fans will be able to renew acquaintances with the Steel Curtain, a gi- ant roller coaster that's part of Kennywood's Steelers Country, a themed section of the amusement park. The Steel Curtain, an inversion coaster that rid- ers upside-down a record nine times and was named Best New Roller Coaster by Amusement Today maga- zine, drew crowds when it opened in July 2019. But in a pandemic-shortened 2020, the signature coaster sat unused and silent. Now, the big new coaster, which tops the Pennsylva- nia speed limit at 76 mph, was ready to go when the park opened on May 8. For many park patrons, a re-imagined version of the Old Mill, one of Kennywood's oldest rides that was rein- vented for 2020, also will feel like something new, said Nick Paradise, a spokesman for Kennywood.

"We are feeling very optimistic for this year," he said. "That's the signal we are getting from our sister parks," The combination of attractions that will be new to many patrons and improved public health outlook is fu- eling optimism, Paradise said. "Just to start our season at the beginning of May, that is really going to help you get closer to a normal season," he said. Safety measures and Six Flags' Jersey Devil But some things won't be normal just yet. Amuse- ment park fans from across the country including those who stayed at home last year will likely their favorite park continues to follow COVID-19 safety mea- sures.

At Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, for instance, that means temperature checks and touch- less security screening, as well as masks and social dis- tancing guidelines. It's a good bet, though, that patrons of the park, which opened at the end of March, are more excited about new attractions. According to Megan Werts, spokeswoman for Six Flags Great Adventure, those attractions will include: Wild Safari, whichmade the transition in 2020 from a guided truck tour of the 350-acre property to a self-guided drive-through experience. Animals come up to car windows as guests listen to an audio tour that streams on their mobile devices. The Jersey Devil Coaster, whichwill open some- time this season.

According to the park, "Riders will ex- perience intense elements with three dramatic in- versions while seated single straddling the coaster track. This is one of the most highly-anticipated, new attractions for 2021." Hurricane Harbor, one of the northeast's largest waterparks, which opened May 15 in a spring preview. Did you miss out on Skyscreamer? Another property owned by the same company, Six Flags Darien Lake in Corfu, New York, isn't touting any new rides for 2021. But newcomers and patrons who have been away for a while might be getting their look at SkyScreamer, which made its debut in 2019. The News describes it "as a 24-story high ele- vated swing ride that spins 32 passengers around a 98- foot circle at 35 mph." Delayed Spinsanity Another Six Flags property, Six Flags America in Bow- ie, Maryland, had planned to open a new ride in 2020, but delayed those plans until this summer.

Harley Quinn Spinsanity is described as the tal- lest, fastest and most extreme pendulum ride in the Vir- ginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland area. According to the park, "With a top speed of 70 miles per hour, riders will experience weightlessness as the ride reaches maximum swing heights of 15 stories in the air." Luna Park and Deno's bring new rides to Coney Island Two of the nation's most iconic amusement parks, Luna Park and Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, both in Coney Island, New York, have both reopened af- ter being shut down since the fall of 2019. At Deno's, the 101-year-old Wonder Wheel is spinning once again. The park also plans to debut the Phoenix, described by Attractions magazine as "a new family- friendly steel suspended roller coaster." Meanwhile, Luna Park, also on Coney Island, has opened the season with six new rides. Building an adventure at Legoland New York Finally, ride openings weren't the only thing in the amusement park world that was delayed by the pan- demic.

In Goshen, New York, about 60 miles from New York City, the opening of an entire park was pushed by a year because of the pandemic. Legoland New York Resort is expected to open this summer, with daily tickets and an- nual passes now on sale. According to the Orange County Register, the "500- acre New York location will feature more than 50 rides, shows and attractions in eight themed lands including Pirates Shores, Lego Ninjago World and Heartlake City." The new park is billed as the world's largest Legoland park. Jim Martin can be reached at news.com. Follow him on Twitter at Across the Northeast, amusement parks changed during pandemic Jim Martin Erie Times-News USA TODAY NETWORK The Steel Curtain roller coaster at Kennywood, near Pittsburgh, made its debut in the middle of 2019, but never opened during the 2020 season.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO next day, we came through, he was awesome from the beginning to the Pabon said. came in, looked at everything and it was like, is it not going to look anywhere The El Tuque team signed a two-year lease with an option to purchase and gained some new friends with the deal. Dobkowski and his wife, Diane, helped introduce the rookie restaurateurs to vendors and suppliers, Pa- bon said. person led to another person and we were able to have all these connections to get what we needed to get this place up and Pabon said. Preparing to open three weeks after signing the contract, Pabon said they kept the open kitchen and dining room The front window was updated with a streetscape of Ponce attractions to set the scene before patrons made it to the entrance.

transformed the interior with their own cor. had to, us Puerto Ricans like bright Pa- bon said. want to make people feel like they are in Puerto Rico and going into a restaurant in Pon- this is what it would be he said, taking in the dining room ambiance. Persistence and perseverance Pabon and his family knew opening a restaurant during a pandemic would pose a challenge. want to take no for an he said.

only live once, and we wanted to give it a The grand opening was April 10, which they pro- moted on social media. did a prayer before we opened the door and it was slow in the he said. opened at 11 a.m. and by 2 p.m., we were out of tables and people were With state-mandated capacity limits, customers sometimes faced hour-long waits. Folks sat outside.

were waiting in their Pabon said, re- calling jotting down lists of cell phone numbers to call when tables became available. Even now, the dining room is limited to 50 percent occupancy, which is about 28 patrons. When everything should have been against them, Pabon said, not been like that, we had the support of the After several weeks in business, Pabon said they had to tweak a thing. feel comfortable with what we have on the me- nu and the he said, noting no price dif- ference between lunch and dinner meals. want to do that; we want to be reason- able for everyone to come, eat and enjoy our Pa- bon said.

why I think been so successful right Looking to future Pabon smiled thinking it was just a few months ago the restaurant was nothing more than a dream. keep your crossed that everything is going to go he said. us, we have a big Chris- tian family that prays a lot. morning here at the restaurant, before we even open these doors, we do a he said, grate- ful to be able to serve others. far, every day has been His mom has more ideas, more recipes and adheres to the advice given by her mother.

Translating for Rodriguez, Pabon said, mom told her that we need to work hard and then everything falls into The family mourns Amparo Rodriguez, who died two years ago at age 86. would have loved this Pabon said. More family members have joined the family enter- prise, including sister, Vicky Rodriguez, who is a server. As grows, so does the business. are actually looking for another he said.

They put out the word but locate another job candidate with all available family members already on the payroll. tried, we he said with laugh, now willing to consider new bloodlines. If you go El Tuque Restaurant is located at 623 E. Landis Vineland. Hours: 11 a.m.

to 7 p.m. Tuesday Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday. Closed on Monday. Phone: 856-466-4439 Takeout and delivery available. Reservations taken. All major credit cards accepted.

Look for daily specials and dates of special enter- tainment events posted on El Tuque Restaurant's Facebook page. Deborah M. Marko covers breaking news, public safety, and education for The Daily Journal, Courier- Post and Burlington County Times. Got a story idea? Call 856-563-5256 or email Follow on Twitter: Instagram: deb.mar- ko.dj Help support local journalism with a subscrip- tion. El Tuque Continued from Page 1 Century 21 Frick Realtors 117 W.

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