Kennywood Getting Multimillion-Dollar Facelift

WEST MIFFLIN, PA — Kennywood will celebrate its 125th birthday in 2023, but the party is starting early. The amusement park on Thursday announced a multimillion dollar improvement project and expanded schedule that will bring additional special events to the location.

Renovations will occur to the park’s entrance plaza and main gate, along with the Old Mill and Jack Rabbit queue line areas. The Beer Garden areas will be redesigned. Four of the park's top attractions - the Phantom's Revenge, Jack Rabbit and Racer - already have been or will be repainted.

The popular Kangaroo ride will return with an all-new look and LED lighting package. Kennywood also will be putting an increased emphasis on landscaping and creating a more vibrant atmosphere, park officials said at a news conference.

“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,” Kennywood General Manager Mark Pauls said. “This is Pittsburgh’s playground."

The park's expanded events schedule will include:

• A food and music festival that will run on opening weekends from April 23 through May 22.

• Daily operations beginning May 26 and the kickoff of the second annual Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival.

• The return of the Celebrate America festival that will include nightly fireworks from July 1-4.

• The debut of Kennywood After Dark, a new summer event with special evening entertainment and high-energy music.

• The annual Fall Fantasy parades from Aug. 6-21.

• The return of the Phantom Fall Fest from Sept. 23- Oct. 30.

• The return of Holiday Lights from Nov. 18-Jan. 1.

The public also can vote now on concepts to transform a blank wall bordering the Jack Rabbit’s queue line into a display commemorating past and present parts of the park. Visitors can vote once per day at Kennywood.com/125-celebration until Christmas Eve.

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