originally posted on 8/12/2023
Photo: Garrett Sauers. View full-sized image.
It’s the middle of July in the middle of summer, and it’s hot and humid, with a threat of rain. What does that mean? It’s time for KennyKon, ACE Western Pennsylvania’s flagship event, celebrating its 34th year in 2023. On July 15, 257 ACEers and their guests from 15 states, Canada and the District of Columbia checked in at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, to help the park celebrate its 125th anniversary and to have some fun. Some surprises were in store for attendees during check-in. In addition to the usual name badges, schedules and tickets, attendees could pick up a KennyKon Bingo card with blocks that specified characteristics of people they should look for (e.g., had been on an ACE European trip, had ridden coaster in Asia, was attending their first ACE event, had attended at least five KennyKons). It was a fun and easy way to meet new people! On top of all that, Kennywood surprised everyone with a free ticket to Sandcastle Waterpark in West Homestead to be used any time during the 2023 season.
Attendees could enter the park at 9:15 a.m. and choose between a walk-through experience at Ghostwood Estate, similar to the one offered during Coaster Con 44, and ERT on the ACE Coaster Classic and ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Thunderbolt. The coaster was celebrating 55 years since its transformation in 1968 by Andy Vettel from the John Miller-designed Pippin to a unique terrain wood coaster that has drawn nothing but praise from riders this year. A partner was required to ride, but that was hardly a problem at this event. ERT on The Steel Curtain was supposed to begin at 10:00 a.m., but the coaster had issues, so the Arrow/Morgan terrain coaster The Phantom’s Revenge opened a little early as an option. Ghostwood Estate ERT began at 10:30 a.m. as scheduled. It’s hard to believe that Ghostwood Estate is already celebrating 15 years at the park.
Difficult as it may be to believe, the Ghostwood Estate dark ride celebrated 15 years of operation in 2023.
Photos: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Before the end of the scheduled ERT at 11:00 a.m. the Curtain had opened as well. After ERT ended, attendees gathered for the group photo on Thunderbolt’s lawn.
Attendees were on their own after that to ride, explore the park, grab a bite of park food or sample some international specialties from the Bites and Pints Festival offerings. Informal takeover times (ITOTs) began at 12:15 p.m., the first one being on Gran Prix, celebrating 50 years at Kennywood but unfortunately with a limited number of operational cars. ITOTs followed on Premier Rides’ Sky Rocket and the last operating Noah’s Ark in the world.
The day was filled with so many informal takeover times of well-loved Kennywood rides, it was difficult to keep track of them all. Grand Prix and Noah’s Ark were two enjoyed by event attendees.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Photo: Ryan Lucas. View full-sized image.
Attendees gathered for a special ITOT on the Merry-Go-Round in memory of Mar-Jean Zamperini, an ACE Western Pennsylvania member who died earlier in the year. Her mother, Katherin Kersten, was present to join the Merry-Go-Round ride and pass out cards in memory of her daughter.
Other predinner ITOTs followed on Kangaroo, the only flying coaster operating in North America, and two John Miller classics: the 103-year-old Jack Rabbit, another ACE Coaster Classic and ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, and Racer, the third ACE Roller Coaster Landmark at Kennywood. Later in the afternoon there was a young adult meetup at the Beer Garden.
ACE members are always delighted by Kennywood’s 103-year-old John Miller Jack Rabbit and the revitalized Kangaroo.
Photo: Ryan Lucas. View full-sized image.
Photo: Ryan Lucas. View full-sized image.
At Pavilion 17, complimentary soft drink service began at 5:00 p.m. and the picnic dinner at 6:00 p.m. Bingo cards had to be turned in and silent auction items checked out. Attendees lined up for barbecued chicken, sausages, penne pasta with marinara and various sides while sharing news of the day. A visit from Kenny Kangaroo brought smiles to many faces. The very light drizzle that began during dinner was hardly noticed.
Western Pennsylvania Regional Representative Bill Linkenheimer III welcomes attendees to the region’s flagship event before the comprehensive picnic dinner.
Photo: Garrett Sauers. View full-sized image.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Western Pennsylvania Regional Representative Bill Linkenheimer III welcomed everyone and recognized volunteers who had helped during the event in addition to volunteers who hold regional and national positions. He introduced Kennywood’s director of ride operations, Marie Ruby, who was responsible for the event’s ERT and other perks provided to attendees. Ruby remarked that Kennywood loves ACE events and wants to do its best by ACE members.
Kennywood expressed its affection for ACE events and ACE members responded by enthusiastically enjoying Kennywood’s world-class collection of classic rides such as Racer.
Photo: April Lucas. View full-sized image.
Linkenheimer took the mic again to remind everyone of upcoming regional events. He commended the park staff who worked to get The Steel Curtain open for ERT and announced that from 9:15 to 9:30 p.m. KennyKon attendees could enter the Curtain’s speedy pass lane to ride the S&S Sansei Technologies steel coaster that was voted Amusement Today’s Best New Ride in 2019. Bingo winners were announced as well as those who won silent auction items.
Trains comprised primarily of ACE members enjoy Kennywood’s most recent roller coaster addition, Steel Curtain.
Photo: Garrett Sauers. View full-sized image.
Photo: Garret Sauers. View full-sized image.
Evening ITOTs were on the Reverchon spinning coaster The Exterminator and Turtle, the only remaining Traver Tumble Bug in the world.
As day turned to night, attendees enjoyed Phantom’s Revenge and ITOT on Turtle — the only remaining Traver Tumble Bug in operation in North America.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Where had the day gone? Had there really been only minimal rain? KennyKon ended with ERT on The Phantom’s Revenge, and anyone who’s experienced night rides on The Phantom knows that there isn’t a more exciting or dramatic way to end a day. The Phantom’s ride crew went above and beyond to create a festive atmosphere for the night riders and even let the rides run beyond the official end time for ERT. An additional ERT ride was Spinvasion, Kennywood’s new-for-2023 "intergalactic multi-action spin ride," with its awesome light package.
Attendees were grateful to the ACE Western Pennsylvania volunteers and to everyone at Kennywood who helped make KennyKon a special day.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director
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