originally posted on 12/16/2022 1:12:00 AM
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
What’s even better than being able
to attend an ACE event at Kennywood in the winter? Attending when it’s warm
enough for a wood coaster to operate, of course! The 96 attendees who arrived
at the West Mifflin park on November 26 for ACE Holiday Magic found
temperatures in the low 50s with no expectation that they would fall below 40
degrees—the lower limit for a wood coaster to run. It was an auspicious start
for this annual regional event that began when Kennywood created Holiday Lights
in 2011.
ACE Holiday Magic required no formal
registration, but attendees had to arrive before 4:10 to pick up the required
wristband for early entrance and exclusive ACE activities. Discounted tickets
were available at guest services for those without season passes.
Behind-the-scenes access to Racer was a neat perk.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
Attendees could see the painting process happening.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Entering the park an hour before
the official opening time, attendees headed toward the area between The
Steel Curtain and Racer for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Racer’s
new paint job. Kennywood’s other ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks, Jack Rabbit
and Thunderbolt, had been painted for the 2022 season, and now it’s Racer’s
turn. Walking alongside the length of the coaster provided lots of
opportunities to photograph the structure and track that is otherwise largely
hidden from public view, unless riding it. Before leaving the enclosed area, Western
Pennsylvania Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III thanked attendees for coming
and especially thanked Kennywood’s Director of Operations Marie Ruby for
arranging the behind-the-scenes experience. A group photo was taken at Racer’s
turnaround.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Attendees then made their way to
Thomas Town to be the first to ride Journey with Thomas, the park’s train. The
park is decorated with more than two million colored lights, and as the skies
darkened, riders on the train could appreciate many of them. After the park
opened at 5 p.m., it didn’t take long for it to become crowded, given the
unusually warm weather. A number of informal takeover times (ITOTs) were
scheduled for the event, the first one being on Ghostwood Estate, the trackless
interactive dark ride that winds through Lord Ghostwood’s haunted manor, which
was elaborately decorated for the holidays.
The official tree lighting takes
place nightly at 6 p.m., during which the tallest Christmas tree in
Pennsylvania (more than 100 feet), covered by thousands of lights, illuminates
the park. Not all the Kennywood rides operate during Holiday Lights, but ACE
Holiday Magic’s ITOT list included most of them — all classic rides. Three of
the ITOTs were on rides that are the last of their kind operating in the world:
Turtle (1927), Noah’s Ark (1936) and Kangaroo (60 years). Also on the ITOT list
were Merry Go Round (95 years) and Jack Rabbit (opened 1920). In
addition, selected rides in Kiddieland and Thomas Town as well as the
one-of-a-kind Traver Auto Race and Gran Prix bumper cars were open.
Kangaroo was one of the rides featured in an ITOT.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
It's not all rides and beautiful
lights at Holiday Lights, however. Attendees met for another scheduled ITOT in
the warmth of the Penny Arcade, which was transformed into a miniature train
display organized by the Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers. This annual exhibit
changes each year, although there is usually a miniature version of an
amusement park or two included in the layout, along with town scenes and even a
space invasion.
It was easy to get lost in all the details of the model train display.
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
Also to be experienced are the
shows on the Kennyville stage, including a celebrity reading of “’Twas the
Night Before Christmas,” magic shows and Parker’s Dance Party. The Kennywood
band could be seen playing at various locations in the park. Attendees noticed
that Santa was available for visits and photos. In the food and drink
department, the beer garden was open this year, and warm food and beverages were
sold in the Parkside Café and other locations in the park.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Attendees were grateful to the
regional rep team and the park for a chance to celebrate the holidays together at
ACE Western Pennsylvania’s last event of 2022.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director
Photo: Lee Ann Draud. View full-sized image.
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