New coaster to take Turnpike ride's spot at Kennywood (8.12.09)
Kennywood Park new roller coaster for 2010 announcement press conference - Part 1
Kennywood Park new roller coaster for 2010 announcement press conference - Part 2
Kenny's birthday celebration (7.30.09)
Kennywood to expand sponsorships (2.25.09)
Kennywood to unveil Voodoo Bayou during Fright Nights
Kennywood Deal final (6-7-08)
Pittsburgh marriage right on track (8-26-07)
Kennywood ends Gold Rusher era (8-22-07)
Kennywood inspector makes screams come true (7-30-07)
Family, tradition hallmarks of Italian Day at Kennywood (7-26-07)
Kennywood memories relived (7-19-07)
Disabled dachshund loses race, wins hearts (7-04-07)
Education at Kennywood (5-30-07)
New rides amid familiar traditions (5-27-07)
Study is next step in Kennywood plans (4-5-07)
Spreading that Kennywood feeling, digitally (3-11-07)
retroroadtrip Couple makes a spur-of-the-moment 'Pitt' stop at Victorian-era amusement park (9-16-06)
Generations of families go to work at Kennywood (7-20-06)
Stopping a Thunderbolt Roller coasters use magnetic brakes (5-1-05)

Del Grosso's:
New ride at Del Grosso's (8.11.09)
DelGrosso’s park to add new rides

Idlewild:
Roller coaster legacy of Reading man survives (on Herbert Schmeck coasters, including Rollo Coaster) (8.09.09)
Idlewild Amusement Park offers discounts to maintain appeal (6.25.09)

Fairy tale anniversary (8-17-06)

Idlewild Park character cherished children (8-5-06)
Idlewild Park's 125th anniversary gathers familiar faces (6-16-02)
Idlewild Park prepares for 125th birthday (6-16-02)

Lakemont Park

Conneaut Lake Park

Erietube.com video

Conneaut Lake Park’s Dreamland Ballroom destroyed in fire
Conneaut Lake Park (8-15-07)
Fun while it lasted:  W. Pa. loses another of its landmarks (7-04-07)

Volunteers finish cleanup weekend at Conneaut Lake Park (4-2-06)

Conneaut Park seeks yet another revival (3-30-01)


Waldameer Park

Riding into a new era (1-18-08)

Crews install one of new roller coaster’s two bridges (VIDEO) (1-17-08)

New roller coaster sets sights high (1-16-08)

Work on new coaster picks up speed (1-15-08)

Various items of interest
Luna Park's luminary: Entrepreneur/roller coaster designer deserves his due (9.01.08)
Cadillac of coaster trains (PTC and Tom Rebbie) (8.12.09)
In PA parks, who's inspecting the inspectors? (8.02.09)
Region's parks weather roller-coaster economy
Haunted houses bring out screams of fear and laughter
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Conneaut Lake Park's Blue Streak named an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark!

You were the first to hear that Coaster Con XXXIII (2010) will be held at Kennywood and now you're among the first to hear this:
Our region's own Blue Streak at Conneaut Lake Park has been designated as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark. Blue Streak, also designated an ACE Coaster Classic, follows the quintessential out-and-back design as interpreted by designer Ed Vettel, and it celebrates its 70th anniversary this year!
ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks are voted on by ACE's Executive Committee are such designation is reserved for rides of great historical significance. Blue Streak will join the ranks of Leap-the-Dips, Coney Island's Cyclone, Magic Mountain's Revolution, and Busch Gardens' Lochness Monster.
The plaque will be presented sometime this year, hopefully during a regional event of some sort. Stay tuned for details!

KENNYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT SOLD TO SPANISH FIRM
ACE MEMBERS REMAIN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE PARK’S FUTURE

American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) learned this morning that Kennywood Entertainment, and all of its holdings, which include Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pa. and Idlewild & Splash Zone in Ligonier, Pa., have entered into an agreement to sell the company to Parques Reunidas, a Spanish-based firm that operates over 60 amusement facilities and waterpark throughout the world.
The news comes as a big surprise to nearly all of the organization’s members, several hundred of who reside in Western Pennsylvania. In addition to being one of the few remaining traditional amusement park’s in America that is over a century old, Kennywood has also been one of the largest parks that has until this point, remained family-owned.
With its collection of unique roller coasters and nostalgic traditional atmosphere, Kennywood is fiercely loved among ACE’s members. “I’ve traveled to hundreds of amusement parks around the world, and when someone asks what my favorite park is, locals are always surprised to hear that it’s Kennywood,” remarked Bill Linkenheimer III, a Ross Township resident who has served as president of American Coaster Enthusiasts, and still serves as an officer.
Regarding the change in ownership at Kennywood, though Kennywood officials have announced that existing management and staff will remain in place, Mr. Linkenheimer believes that most of ACE’s members will be concerned that the traditional values of the park may change, even if not immediately. “Parques Reunidos is a solid organization with a reputation for investing in its properties and I’m optimistic that Kennywood will continue to prosper,” said Mr. Linkenheimer, adding “While amusement parks have largely become homogenous, Kennywood’s success is the result of being unique; and management’s ability to keep the old, and blend in the new. This formula has kept the locals loyal, and attracted many from outside the region. If the new ownership respect’s the traditions, it will succeed.”
ACE is a worldwide organization dedicated to the enjoyment, preservation, education, and appreciation of roller coasters. With more than 7,000 members in all 50 states and in 12 different countries, ACE is also the largest amusement park enthusiast club in the world.

From ACENewsNow
Kennywood Sold

Kennywood Entertainment of Pittsburgh announced December 11, 2007 that it has entered into an agreement to sell its amusement park holdings to Parques Reunidos, based in Madrid, Spain, an international operator that manages 61 amusement, animal and water parks in the U.S. and Europe. Included in the sale were Kennywood, Idlewild, Sandcastle Waterpark, Lake Compounce Theme Park and Story Land (Glen, New Hampshire).

Kennywood Entertainment has been a closely held family business since F.W. Henninger and Andrew McSwigan purchased Kennywood Park from the Monongahela Railway Company in 1906. The Henninger and McSwigan families, now in fourth and fifth generation, have remained owners for over 100 years.

“The Kennywood experience—as visitors have come to love and expect—will continue. Nothing will seem different, even to the folks working at the parks. Existing management and staff will remain in place,” said Harry Henninger, Chairman of Kennywood Entertainment. “In recent years, we've had talks with other operators wishing to acquire us, but Parques Reunidos is the first one to share our vision and philosophy.”

"We have tremendous respect for the work of the Kennywood management team and are delighted to acquire such a quality organization,” said Richard Golding, Chief Executive Officer of Parques Reunidos. “They've built Kennywood Entertainment into an industry leader in family entertainment. We are anxious to continue the gold standard of entertainment they have established." “Richard Golding recognizes and appreciates the deep affection that all of the Kennywood properties enjoy with their communities,” said Peter J. McAneny, Kennywood Entertainment President. “They intend to preserve these connections and build upon the history and tradition existing at each of the parks." Henninger added, "This has been a very difficult decision for members of the founding families, now numbering over one hundred and residing all over the country. All of us are tremendously proud of what we created with Kennywood Entertainment. It has truly been a magical ride, managing Kennywood, starting Sandcastle, expanding and improving both Idlewild and Lake Compounce.”

The companies expect to close on the deal in March.
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