ELYSBURG - The suspense ended Saturday at Knoebels Amusement Resort as the Impulse roller coaster did indeed open to the public on opening day of the park's 79th season of operation.
Brian Knoebel, one of the park operators who, with other members of the fourth generation of the family, was involved in bringing the new steel roller coaster to life, said construction workers and dedicated staff members worked well into the night and early morning to get everything ready for Saturday's opening.
"It was a true team effort with our staff, Anskis Construction and C&D Rigging working overnight to help make our dream come true," Knoebel said.
Their efforts were well-received by the Knoebels park-goers and roller coaster aficionados.
"The Impulse exceeded my expectations," said Christa Galvin, of New Jersey. "I love Knoebels' wooden coasters, but this is really good."
Impulse, with its 98-foot-high chain lift hill, a 90-degree free-fall drop, several inversions, nearly 2,000 feet of track and speeds topping 55 mph, is the first project undertaken by the fourth generation of the Knoebel family - Dick's sons, Brian and Rick, and Buddy's son, Trevor.
At the groundbreaking ceremony in September, president Dick Knoebel praised the three for undertaking the project. Now, seven months later, Brian Knoebel said he hopes the public enjoy the fruit of their labors.
"There have been people I've talked to who said last night was like Christmas Eve for them, and it's like that for us too," Brian Knoebel said. "We just can't wait to unwrap this present."
"The workers have spent a lot of long hours, late nights and cold weather in the past six months getting this ride built and ready," Trevor Knoebel said during the opening ceremony.
"We've worked hard, but now it's time for you to have some fun," Rick Knoebel said. "We are going to take you 98 feet in the air and turn you upside down four times." Such talk did not seem to scare anyone away.
Prior to the Impulse's inaugural ride, an auction was held to occupy the seats on its first car to the public. Proceeds from the auction would benefit one of the Knoebels favorite charities, Give Kids the World, a resort in central Florida where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families spend weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations.
Some of those children will often come to Knoebels and be guests of the park as well, so the charity is close to their heart.
Auctioneer R.J. Crawford looked over the crowd of about 300 people that came from near and far to watch and be part of the coaster's first rides and encouraged the people to bid with their hearts and not with their wallets.
For the first seat, a bidding war quickly developed between Mark Anskis, president of Anskis Construction, and Doug Hetrick, of C&D Rigging. When it was all over, Anskis purchased the first seat for $2,000.
Crawford then made Hetrick the offer of buying the second seat for the same price, which he accepted.
The two, instrumental in working to get the coaster constructed, then handed the prized tickets to a father and daughter, David Cleaver and Emma Nolo, visiting from Shippensburg.
"This is absolutely amazing," Cleaver said. "I used to come here all the time with my grandparents from Catawissa, and Emma rode her first ride here at six months old."
When asked why they gave the rides away, Anskis said he was waiting for his son to visit the park with him to ride it for the first time.
"For me, it was about giving back to the Knoebel family and helping to support their cause," Hetrick said.
Once the 24 seats were purchased, $7.325 was raised for charity. The sale price for a seat on the first three rides of the eight-seat cars started at $100.
After cutting a ribbon at the entrance way, the first riders were locked into the seats and began their 75-second journey through the twists and turns that the blue-and-yellow steel coaster provided.
The screams could be heard as the eight riders rocketed down the 98-foot descent and then turned every which way.
After slowing down and heading back to the station, smiles were on the faces of the riders.
When asked what her favorite part of the ride was, Nolo said, "All of it," with a big smile.
"This one is going to be a huge hit for the park," said coaster enthusiast David Lipnicky, of Texas. "It is incredibly smooth with still plenty of opportunity to catch some air and you won't be beat up after it."
The park held a reception at a nearby pavilion while the line stretched along the fence as about 100 riders waited to open their season of amusement park fun at Knoebels Amusement Resort "on an Impulse."
The park opened for its 79th season on Saturday, with this year featuring the 30th anniversary of the Phoenix Roller Coaster, new food offerings, and other attractions.
A ride on the Impulse will cost $3 in tickets, and will be included in the park's basic hand stamp option.
The park will be open only on weekends until May 20 when it will begin seven-day-a-week operations.