The Thunderhawk roller coaster turns 100 this year, and Dorney Park has scheduled an anniversary celebration for the wooden thrill ride.
The South Whitehall Township park announced Friday that it will host the party June 29. The all-day event, which is included with park admission, will feature a special ceremony, music, food, a pop-up history museum, special guests, photo opportunities and more.
Dorney Park said it will release a schedule of events later this month. Further information will be posted at .
“Thunderhawk is a national landmark and an integral part of our park’s history,” said Dorney Park Vice President and General Manager Jessica Naderman. “We are proud of the generations of men and women who have preserved this roller coaster over the years, and we’re excited to celebrate its centennial.”
Thunderhawk was called simply The Coaster when it debuted in 1924. It was designed by Herbert Schmeck, one of the pioneers in roller coaster design. Its original cars were made by Philadelphia Toboggan Co.
The coaster originally had an out-and-back design. It was reconfigured in 1930 to the current figure eight shape, which shortened the ride but raised its main lift hill and created its steeply banked curves.
In the 1960s, the coaster was rethemed with the “Alfundo” logo on the front of the trains. Alfundo was a clown mascot whose name stood for ALlentown has FUN at DOrney. A tunnel was added as the ride went under a pavilion.
In 1989, the ride was named Thunderhawk and the pavilion was eventually removed. In 2016, the park refurbished it again, with new cars and fresh white paint on its tracks.
Thunderhawk is one of eight coasters at Dorney and is the second-oldest ride in the park. The Whip, which has cars that speed around the ends of an oval track, opened in 1920.
