Kennywood investing in new look for 125th birthday
The planning has begun.
Kennywood is preparing for a really, really big party. The West Mifflin amusement park turns 125 years old on Dec. 18, 2023.
And it wants to look its best.
Like most celebrations, in order to be ready for the soiree, the park will need time to get ready. That’s why it announced a multimillion-dollar investment into ride enhancements and refreshed landscaping, as well as attractions that include a springtime food and music festival.
“We will have events going from the beginning on April 23 all the way through to Holiday Lights,” said Kennywood and Sandcastle waterpark general manager Mark Pauls at a news conference on Thursday. “We can’t wait to reopen the Kangaroo.”
He said the painting of the Kangaroo, the Phantom’s Revenge, the Thunderbolt and Racer will give them all a new look before the birthday party.
“From the moment guests arrive, they will see some new signage, as well as facelifts throughout the park to rides such as the Old Mill and the Jack Rabbit,” said Pauls. “The entire park will have new pavement for a fresh, clean look.”
The improvements don’t end there, Pauls said. There are plans to upgrade food and beverage areas, including the beer garden. “We want to have everything ready for the big party and beyond,” he said.
What’s happening at Kennywood is modeled after recent improvements at a sister park, Lake Compounce in Bristol, Conn. Kennywood is the U.S. flagship park for parent company Palace Entertainment, which operates 25 entertainment and educational venues across 10 different states in the U.S.
Jerad Bachar, CEO of VisitPittsburgh, said at the news conference that his organization and Kennywood are longtime partners.
“This type of investment is unprecedented and what sets Pittsburgh apart from other cities,” said Bachar. “Kennywood is a unique experience in our region. These park enhancements will help with the recovery of tourism to the area that was halted because of the pandemic.”
What’s happening in 2022 is phase one of several more to come, Pauls said. Bringing back the Kangaroo is possible because they found a company to give the ride a total redo.
He noted that the ride’s popularity was evident when 11,801 people voted on which logo to bring back for it.
There were 7,947 votes for which color to paint the Phantom’s Revenge.
Attendance grew this past season and throughout the summer. Kennywood responded with later hours and additional operating days, Pauls said. Many guests were local, but he expects people to start traveling once again in 2022.
“I think people really wanted to come out and do things,” Pauls said. “They wanted to visit, not only in the summer but in the fall and winter, too.”
The plan for 2022 includes a yearlong series of special events, an expanded season, longer hours and night rides.
Pauls said the improvements are being done to enhance the guest experience and refresh landmark locations. He said the plan is to add “eye-catching updates all over the park while retaining what makes Kennywood, Kennywood.”
“Add in a bigger and better-than-ever events lineup, and we expect to make next season our best yet,” he said.
The season will open with a springtime food and music festival that will run Saturdays and Sundays through May 22. After that, the start of daily operations begins May 26 and will include the Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival, which is expanding to four days a week. There will be live entertainment daily.
From July 5-31, there will be happenings after dark which includes evening entertainment.
The 72nd annual Fall Fantasy Parades march back Aug. 6-21. Approximately 200 high school and college bands will perform.
Phantom Fall Fest returns for a second season from Sept. 23-Oct. 30.
Holiday Lights, featuring more than 1 million lights, will run Nov. 18-Jan. 1 with expanded hours.
The park is offering guests a chance to vote online here on choices to transform the blank wall bordering the Jack Rabbit, which will celebrate the park’s past and present.
“From the minute you pull into our parking lot until you head through the tunnel to go home, you’ll find striking new theming and details inspired by the 12-plus decades of timeless fun found here,” said Pauls. “This is Pittsburgh’s Playground, and we look forward to receiving more community input to inform ongoing upgrades to Kennywood for 2022 and future seasons.”
Gold season passes are available for $125 for a limited time.
And, the perfect birthday celebration includes a Pittsburgh favorite.
Running from July 1 to 4, “Celebrate America explodes onto the scene with the return of nightly fireworks, the Weiner 100 dachshund races, and more patriotic performances,” Pauls said. “I know we all missed those fireworks.”
And maybe some birthday candles.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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