Kennywood cancels Phantom Fright Nights, Happy Hauntings this year

Scares are the hallmark of Kennywood’s Halloween-season Phantom Fright Nights.

But this year, the October fear is replaced by June disappointment.

Kennywood announced Tuesday it’s canceling that October attraction — about a dozen nights a year when parts of the park are remade as haunted attractions — as well as the decidedly less-scary Happy Hauntings for younger visitors.

We’ve had to make some major moves to our special events this year as part of adapting to everything that’s happened so far in 2020. As a result, some of our biggest events have been canceled for this year. Latest calendar updates: https://t.co/ij4Gp4CEm0

Photo: Stephan Hazuga pic.twitter.com/bsFM9SIxtZ

— Kennywood Park (@Kenny_Kangaroo) June 23, 2020

The reason is that the regular summer season has been delayed until July 11 by the covid-19 pandemic, according to the park’s website. It notes, however, that the park will be open for “limited operation” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 2 to Nov. 1.

Kennywood has put safety protocols in place for this summer to help guests avoid the coronavirus. Guests, even ticket or season pass holders, will need to register for the day they wish to visit. Once a date fills up, guests will no longer be able to register for it and will need to choose a different one, according to the park’s website.

Everyone entering the park will be subject to a temperature check, with anyone running a temperature of 100.4 or higher or displaying covid-19 symptoms being denied entry.

Facial coverings are required for all visitors except children younger than 3, and guests are asked to wash hands often with soap and water and maintain a distance of 6 feet from other guests.

Guests are asked to familiarize themselves with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before coming to the park.