Six Flags Great Adventure opens Saturday, and more things to do at the Shore this weekend
You don't have much longer to wait for thrills.
Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson opens Saturday, which means you'll be able to ride the long-awaited coaster The Flash: Vertical Velocity.
"This groundbreaking super boomerang coaster launches you forward and backward at 60 miles per hour, sending guests soaring 172 feet and twisting through a heart-pounding Zero-G roll," the park has said.
The steel roller coaster is manufactured by Vekoma, and park officials say it will be the first of its kind to open in North America — and only the second in the world. It's themed after the famed DC Comics character The Flash, known as "the fastest man alive."
Great Adventure is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Flash is located in the Movietown section of the park. Season pass holders can make reservations to ride the new coaster for the first two hours on Saturday, and then it opens to the public. That is also the case for Sunday, as well as April 5 and 6.
Wild Safari animal park also opens Saturday. Hurricane Harbor water park opens Saturday, May 17.
Go: Six Flags Great Adventure opening weekend, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, tickets are $39, passes range from $69 to $195; sixflags.com/greatadventure.
Here are more things to do this weekend, including Rosé All Day in Point Pleasant Beach and the Peking Acrobats in Red Bank.
The Garden State Film Festival celebrates its 23rd anniversary Thursday to Sunday in Asbury Park and Cranford.
In four days, you can enjoy 205 films and film-centered events from over 14 countries over four days in nine venues along with hosting parties, professional panels, celebrities, networking events, special honors and more,' said Lauren Concar Sheehy, the festival's executive director.
Attendees may choose from feature and short-length films, documentaries, comedies, children's, thrillers, pilots and student films. There are also "Home-Grown' films shot in the Garden State, including the documentary "Extra Innings: Grandpa Got Game" by Freehold resident Robert Mandelberg. The story follows a group of devoted seniors navigating the challenges of aging while debating safe-out calls in their beloved softball games. It screens at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Asbury Lanes.
Other NJ highlights include:
Mikey Smith of Howell, whose 'Shore Shack' screens at noon Saturday, March 29, at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park.
Entrepreneur Jenny Jing Zhu of Belmar, whose story is told in 'Dream Weaver,' showing at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Asbury Lanes.
'Dinner Talk,' by Deal's Louis Politan, will be served at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove.
The short drama 'Muted,' from Bridgewater's Chris Zou, screens at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Berkeley.
A documentary on the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office Hope One Mobile Unit, which is supported by recovery specialists to tackle the opioid crisis, will be shown at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Asbury Hall in The Asbury hotel. Also screening at this session is a new music video for "Always the Same Dream" by the Asbury Park band Backhouse.
Red Bank photog Danny Sanchez, known for his stills, lets the camera roll for two works at the fest: the short 'Babyface,' at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Kingsley in the Berkeley, and 'This Train,' an excerpt from the musical storybook 'Sleeping Beauty Who Just Woke Up,' at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Berkeley.
'Here's Yianni!', starring Joe Cortese and Julia Ormond, was partly filmed in Asbury Park. It shows at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30 at Asbury Lanes.
Asbury Park native Queen Stewart tells her compelling story in 'Sense of Urgency' at 2:30 p.m. Saturday inside the Kingsley room at the Berkeley.
"Vienna: Suddenly an Angel,' a 20-minute documentary produced and directed by Matawan resident and longtime filmmaker Marko Albrecht, part of a Saturday session in Asbury Hall that begins at 11:45 a.m.
The festival offers a variety of ticket packages, from single screenings to the comprehensive $105 Parkway Pass, which includes the Meet the Filmmakers event, gala reception and unlimited screenings of all films. More information, including a complete schedule, is at gsff.org.
Go: Garden State Film Festival, Thursday to Sunday, various locations in Asbury Park and Cranford, $20 to $105; 877-908-7050, info@gsff.org, gsff.org.
For the last 32 years, The Peking Acrobats have helped to redefine audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs, and display their technical prowess at trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling and gymnastics.
See these displays of contortion, flexibility and control at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Count Basie Center for the Arts.
The acrobats are often accompanied by live musicians who play traditional Chinese instruments.
Go: The Peking Acrobats, 4 p.m. Sunday, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $25 to $45; 732-842-9000, thebasie.org/events/the-peking-acrobats.
Want to spend a weekend afternoon sipping wine?
Get your tickets to Rosé All Day, a wine-tasting event featuring styles from around the world, plus cheeses, meats and chocolates from Point Pleasant Beach-based Molly Boards. There will be live music, too.
The event is presented by Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, which begins Friday, March 28, and runs through Sunday, April 6. Another, The Great Jersey Shore Burger Contest and Craft Beer Fest, takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como.
Go: Rosé All Day, 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, B2 Bistro, 709 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, $60, jerseyshorerestaurantweek.com.
You only have a few more days to see "Red Rose Kay Photography & Multimedia: Landscapes and Nature" at the Barnegat branch of Ocean County Library.
Photo artist Kaylee McGrath's Instagram following has grown exponentially since her 2016 graduation from Barnegat High School, and her 2018 graduation from Ocean County Vocational Technical School in Brick.
In addition to participating in local arts and crafts events, and staging exhibits at numerous venues, McGrath teaches a mobile photography mini-course for young adults with special needs.
The show can be seen through Monday, March 31. No registration is required.
Go: 'Red Rose Kay Photography & Multimedia: Landscapes and Nature,' through March 31, Ocean County Library, Barnegat branch, 112 Burr St., free; 609-698-3331, theoceancountylibrary.org.
Feeling like you need something to get you through the news cycle? All you need is love.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, Beatles fans can experience the magic of the Fab Four with this tribute act at Drew University's Concert Hall.
Re-Live The Beatles: The Tribute takes you on a journey through the career of the boys from Liverpool. Sunday's show features music, costume changes and an immersive backdrop, transporting patrons back to the 1960s.
Relive the magic of the Beatles' appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show," the Shea Stadium concert, the psychedelic journey of "Sgt. Pepper" and the iconic crossing of Abbey Road.
You'll hear lots of hits, from "She Loves You," "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "A Hard Day's Night" to "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,' "With a Little Help from My Friends" and "Hey Jude."
Tickets are $35 to $50.
Go: Re-Live The Beatles: The Tribute, 3 p.m. Sunday, Concert Hall, Drew University, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, $35 to $50; gdpresents.simpletix.com.
Sarah Griesemer and Chris Jordan contributed to this story.
Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at bcanacci@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ things to do include Six Flags Great Adventure opening
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