Kennywood announces opening date for 2021 season

Kennywood Park will open for the start of its 123rd season in two months — on May 8.

That’s two months earlier than in pandemic-plagued 2020 and closer to a traditional opening day, with Sandcastle opening its pools and waterslides for Memorial Day weekend on May 29.

Along with extending Kennywood’s schedule and hours to pre-covid 19 levels, park officials say the Steel Curtain roller coaster will be running again after being sidelined last summer due to modification work being curtailed by the pandemic.

“Covid derailed pretty much everything in terms of getting that work done,” Kennywood spokesman Nick Paradise said. “We just couldn’t get what we needed together because of all those side effects of all the shutdowns and quarantines and closures that the pandemic created.”

Paradise said that also was the case for the Black Widow, Kennywood’s largest non-roller coaster ride, which will be back in action as well this year.

Kennywood will keep covid-19 safety protocols in place, he said, by following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pennsylvania Department of Health and best practices within the amusement and attractions industries. It means some park fixtures such as Noah’s Ark funhouse will remain closed because of covid concerns.

“We’re still planning a cautious approach. It will be easier for us to relax restrictions rather than put them back in place,” Paradise said. “We’re looking forward to getting back to a closer-to-normal season and getting back on the right track this year. It’s not totally back to normal by any means, but it’s taking steps to getting back to where everybody wants to be.”

Among new events this year is a series of “Bites and Pints Food Festivals” on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in June, featuring special food and drink tastings.

Kennywood is hiring 1,500 seasonal employees for departments including lifeguards, rides, food & beverage, games & retail, grounds keeping and public safety.