Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild set to open for summer of food, rides, slides
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Summer cannot be far away.
The official opening of Kennywood in West Mifflin is May 8.
Sandcastle in West Homestead and Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier aren’t far behind. They are planning for a May 29 debut.
After shortened schedules last year because of the pandemic, the parks are focused on a “close to normal” season, said Nick Paradise, Kennywood spokesman.
“We can’t wait to begin a new year that brings us closer to the typical Kennywood experience,” said Mark Pauls, Kennywood’s general manager, in a statement. “The 2021 season offers a lot to be excited about.” Kennywood is in its 123rd season of operation.
Below are five things to know about this season at the parks.
? 20 Years of Revenge. #Kennywood pic.twitter.com/YO706HQ36l
— Kennywood (@Kenny_Kangaroo) April 25, 2021
Operating hours
The three parks will open with limited days and hours and add as the summer goes on. Last week’s announcement of hourly pay increases for employees created more job interest.
“We have seen a demonstrable impact of those pay increases,” Paradise said.
Kennywood will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 8-9, 14-16, 21-23 and 28-31 — with the exception of May 29, when the park will start staying open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays.
Starting June 21 through Aug. 16, the park will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, plus until 9 p.m. on Saturdays. On blackout dates of July 3-4, Aug. 14-15 and 21-22, basic season passes won’t be valid. Starting Aug. 28-29, Kennywood will be open for weekends only through Sept. 18-19, in addition to Labor Day, Sept. 6.
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Idlewild begins its 143rd season this summer. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Monday in June and Wednesday through Monday in July through Aug. 22. SoakZone hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. the weekend of Aug. 28-29 and Labor Day weekend Sept. 4-6. Hours for SoakZone those days will be 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sandcastle celebrates its 32nd season. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 28-31 and June 6 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 5. The park will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily beginning June 14 through Aug. 20. The park will close at 6 p.m. Saturdays. There will be blackout days on July 5, 11, and 31 and Aug. 8 and 21 where basic season passes won’t be valid. The park will be open the weekends of Aug. 21-22 and 28-29 as well as Labor Day Weekend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 4 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 5-6.
Dine in
Kennywood introduces Bites and Pints on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in June. The park will offer chef-inspired tastings paired with specialty cocktails, craft beer and wine.
Located near the lagoon, there will be seven stations offering dishes inspired by Caribbean, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Mexican cuisine.
Bites and Pints will open afternoons. Chef Brian Pekarcik from BRGR and Spoon has created dishes such as the croque monsieur, which is shaved ham and Swiss grilled cheese topped with Béchamel cheese sauce. The Jamaican jerk chicken is grilled chicken wings, steamed rice and black beans and cilantro.
Guests can purchase bite cards and choose between eight or 12 samples.
There will be entertainment Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at Kennywood. The lineup has yet to be announced.
“Usually when we do specialty events, it is one or two days,” said Paradise. “But this will give guests more opportunities to try this unique food and drink experience.”
Kennywood’s indoor restaurants — End Zone Café, Johnny Rockets and Parkside Café — will reopen after being closed last summer.
At Sandcastle, Boardwalk Bites will sell hot sausage sandwiches with peppers and onions, jumbo hot dogs and nachos with chicken or beef. The pizza stand will offer personal pizzas. Corn dogs will be made fresh.
Plans are to have live entertainment on weekend nights at the Sandbar and possibly a food truck option.
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Ride on
Most rides should be operating at Kennywood, including the Steel Curtain. The Old Mill, which returned last year, will have its wooden boats floating in the darkness. Remaining closed because of restrictions are the Skycoaster, Noah’s Ark, the 4-D Theater, two indoor play zones in Thomas Town and The Steelers Experience.
Events such as school picnics, community and heritage days, Celebrate America and the Fall Fantasy Parades are scheduled to return, Paradise said.
At Sandcastle, the opening of the new Bombs Away waterslide has been postponed until 2022, according to Paradise. He said he expects most slides, as well as the Lazy River, to be open.
”The emphasis has been on bringing back so many things our guests missed out on last year,” Paradise said.
Gift shops at the parks will be open with limited capacity.
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A year late
Kennywood will recognize the centennial for the Jack Rabbit, now in its 101st year. The pandemic prevented a party for the wooden coaster, which is the fifth-oldest operating coaster in the world.
Winners of last year’s 100 Years, 100 Memories honoring the iconic ride will take the first spin to mark the start of the season, a half an hour before the park opens. They will receive lunch and a 2021 season pass. Kennywood received more than 800 entries for the contest.
For your safety
Customers are required to wear face masks. There will limited capacities of 75% to comply with covid-19 state regulations. Signs and pathway markers will remind guests to social distance. Some indoor attractions will be closed.
The parks have online systems to monitor attendance. Season pass holders and guests with date-specific tickets do not need to register. Kennywood has a chaperone policy for guests 17 and younger; they must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21.