originally posted on 9/4/2020
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
“Welcome to the weirdest KennyKon ever” was ACE Western Pennsylvania Regional Rep Bill Linkenheimer III’s greeting to attendees. The journey to KennyKon XXXI involved some unusual twists and turns, but the actual event was recognizably KennyKon. Some things never change, even during crazy times.
ACE Western Pennsylvania’s signature event is usually held in July, but in 2020 it was moved to June to be a pre-Coaster Con event. Then Coaster Con didn’t happen, and Kennywood wasn’t open in June anyway. The date was moved to August 15, with morning ERT scheduled to include The Steel Curtain and evening ERT on The Phantom’s Revenge. But then The Steel Curtain had issues and didn’t open this season, and Kennywood changed its evening closing time to 7 p.m., so even though Phantom was still on for ERT, there would be no wild after-dark rides. In addition, since the park’s closing time changed, the scheduled dinner meal became a lunch.
Registration volunteers (l to r: April Lucas, Lee Ann Draud and Tina Napotnik) are smiling under those masks.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Oh well. Despite the uncertainties and schedule changes, 156 attendees from 18 states checked in for this annual event on an overcast but warm August 15 at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. There was no Ice Cream for Breakfast this year because of COVID-19 issues, but cheerful registration volunteers passed out schedules and a mysterious JR ticket to those who met certain criteria. More would be revealed at lunchtime. Other perks offered by Kennywood were unlimited Jack Rabbit and Phantom onride digital photos for $5 during their respective ERTs and 20 percent off purchases at the Lost Kennywood gift shop during evening ERT.
Jack Rabbit
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Open since early July, Kennywood was prepared to deal with COVID-19 issues. Temperatures were taken at the park entrance, and attendees were aware of face covering requirements. Hand sanitizing was required at ride entrances and available at all ride exits. Ride operators routinely reminded guests to wear their face coverings during the ride, and social distancing markers were everywhere that lines formed. Indoor restaurants were closed, but the sweeping covered porch of the Parkside Café was open for al fresco dining. Rides and attractions in which social distancing couldn’t be enforced were closed, which unfortunately included Noah’s Ark.
Thunderbolt
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Morning ERT was on the wood coasters Jack Rabbit (celebrating 100 years, but the official celebration is postponed until 2021) and Thunderbolt, both ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks and both giving awesome rides. Pre-lunch informal takeover times (ITOTs) were scheduled on Auto Race (90 years old) and Racer, another ACE Roller Coaster Landmark. A socially distanced group photo in Steelers Country ended the morning’s activities.
The picnic lunch was even more generous than planned because Kennywood contributed extra food from other picnics to go with the planned sliced Italian roast beef, BBQ chicken, penne pasta and plenty of extras. After welcoming everyone and thanking Kennywood and the volunteers, Linkenheimer commented that although attendance was lower than usual, KennyKon would probably be the largest ACE event of the year. Unfortunately, Kennywood’s new general manager, Mark Pauls, was out of town and thus couldn’t be present to greet attendees. A review of upcoming ACE Western Pennsylvania events followed.
Sarah Windisch displays her block of Jack Rabbit wood, courtesy of Kennywood.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Also at lunch, the mystery of the JR tickets was revealed. Holders of the tickets, which by lunchtime included about 75 percent of attendees, were entitled to a keepsake piece of wood from Jack Rabbit, Kennywood’s 100-year-old ACE Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark.
Garrett Sauers and Erik Frankenstein survived their ride though the “new” Old Mill.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Erik Frankenstein and Bill Linkenheimer show a remnant from Garfield’s Nightmare, destined for an ACE auction.
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
More ITOTs were scheduled after lunch on the 1927 Dentzel Merry-Go-Round (a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark), the Premier Rides launch coaster Sky Rocket (10 years old), the “new” Old Mill (transformed this year from Garfield’s Nightmare), the Reverchon indoor spinning mouse The Exterminator, the 1927 Traver Turtle and the Anton Schwarzkopf Bayern Kurve. Other Kennywood rides celebrating significant anniversaries in 2020 were the train (currently Journey with Thomas, 75 years), Raging Rapids (35 years, not operating this season), Pittsburg Plunge (25 years) and Aero 360 (20 years).
The more ACEers in a Turtle car, the more fun.
Photo: Joel Brewton Riling . View full-sized image.
The Bayern Kurve: wait for the horn!
Photo: Joel Brewton Riling . View full-sized image.
After the park cleared at 7 p.m., attendees enjoyed 45 minutes of ERT on the Arrow/Morgan hypercoaster The Phantom’s Revenge, which was thrilling and relentless, as always, even without the darkness. Some experiences at KennyKon never change.
The Phantom’s Revenge
Photo: Joel Brewton Riling . View full-sized image.
But some do: despite the overcast, it didn’t rain!
ACE Western Pennsylvania is looking forward to KennyKon XXXII, a pre-Coaster Con event for 2021, hoping to see many ACE members on their way to Con.
— Lee Ann Draud, ACE Publications Director
@#$%&!
#ACENews