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Kennywood’s
Steel Curtain Voted Best New Coaster of 2019 Record-setting collaboration between Kennywood & Pittsburgh Steelers wins coveted Golden Ticket Award WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. – As the Pittsburgh Steelers ready to bring their seventh Lombardi Trophy home this season, their namesake roller coaster, The Steel Curtain, has earned some serious hardware of its own: the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Roller Coaster of 2019. The Steel Curtain was named the Best New Roller Coaster this weekend at the 2019 Golden Ticket Award Ceremonies, held at Silverwood Theme Park in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Organized by industry publication Amusement Today, voters from around the world chose the record-setting coaster collaboration between Kennywood and the NFL’s Steelers as their favorite new ride of the year. Designed by S&S Worldwide, Steel Curtain set a North American record for most inversions (9), including the world’s tallest inversion (197’), when it opened in July to rave reviews by park-goers and pro football players alike. “It’s hard to put into words what a thrill it is to see Steel Curtain be voted Best New Coaster,” said Kennywood General Manager Jerome Gibas. “Every year, the biggest and best parks in the world compete to deliver the best new coaster, so to be able to say we’re bringing that title home to Southwestern Pennsylvania is incredibly rewarding.” The Steel Curtain is also Pennsylvania’s tallest roller coaster at 220 feet tall, hitting a top speed of 75 miles per hour as it zooms across 4,000 feet of track. It is the flagship attraction of the forthcoming Steelers Country at Kennywood themed land, including interactive games, retail and dining experiences designed to bring fans “onto the field” in a way never seen before. “The Steel Curtain is praised for its wildness, but also its fluidity and comfort,” said Tim Baldwin, Golden Ticket Awards Communication Coordinator. “It’s really a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.” Kennywood’s newest ride was not the only attraction in the spotlight at the Golden Ticket Awards. After 9 straight years of winning for Best Funhouse/Walkthrough Attraction, Noah’s Ark was recognized as a legend within its category and the industry as a whole. “Kennywood continues to charm guests of so many generations,” Baldwin said. “The park’s classic Noah’s Ark is a national treasure, and as Amusement Today prepares to retire this specific award, we honor Kennywood with LEGEND status for this unique and historic funhouse.” Finally, fresh off making USA TODAY’s list of 10Best Halloween Theme Park Events, Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights was also a finalist at the ceremonies for Best Halloween Event. Phantom Fright Nights returns to haunt the National Historic Landmark park on Friday, September 27. Noah’s Ark and The Steel Curtain will be part of the thrills at PFN, along with the final few weekends of the 2019 Summer Season, which ends Sunday, September 15. For more information on the Golden Ticket Awards, please visit www.GoldenTicketAwards.com.
Western
Pennsylvania parks take home top honors at 2019
Golden Ticket Awards!
Noah's Ark at Kennywood receives LEGEND status as the Best Funhouse/Walk-Through attraction! The Steel Curtain is named as the second Best New Attraction Installation of 2019! Idlewild and Soak Zone is named #3 Best Family Park! Phantom Fright Nights at Kennywood is named the as #5 Best Halloween Event! Several of our regions wood coasters have ranked among the top 20 best wood coasters in the world! Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer is ranked the 9th best wood coaster in the world! Thunderbolt at Kennywood is ranked the 18th best wood coaster in the world! Jack Rabbit at Kennywood is ranked the 20th best wood coaster in the world! On the steel coaster list the Phantom's Revenge at Kennywood is ranked the 12th best steel coaster in the world! Just outside our region... Phoenix at Knoebels was named the best wood coaster in the world! Knoebels also took home the Golden Tickets for Best Food and received LEGEND status for Best Carousel! Dutch Wonderland was named Best Family Park!
ACE Preservation Fund makes donation to Conneaut
Lake Park's Blue Streak ACE raises a considerable amount of money for its special funds, such as the ACE Preservation Fund. Where does the money go? That's a great question and one that is answered in an awesome article by Preservation & History Director David Dragun in a commemorative 40th anniversary edition of RollerCoaster! magazine. We're pleased to report that there's already an addendum to that article as just minutes ago, ACE was on hand at New Conneaut Lake Park in Pennsylvania to announce the donation of $7,000 toward the ongoing maintenance of the park's ACE Roller Coaster Landmark Blue Streak. The money will be used to purchase new wheels for the rolling stock!
Record Breaking Steel Curtain and
Steelers Country coming to Kennywood in 2019!
WEST MIFFLIN, PA – In Southwestern Pennsylvania, Kennywood Day is as eagerly anticipated as a Steelers game, while Pittsburgh’s gridiron greats regularly send their fans on emotional roller coasters. Now these two iconic brands will come together for a collaboration that’s unprecedented in both the sports and amusement worlds. Kennywood will welcome the Steelers franchise to the family by bringing the game day experience that is a staple to countless fans in Pittsburgh and beyond to life in the park. Coming to Kennywood in 2019, Steelers Country is an immersive land that celebrates the hard-hitting heroics of the players but with a unique twist. The park experience turns its attention to the fans, putting them at the center of the action. Exclusive merchandise, skill games and food locations ― including a themed tailgating experience ― continue the feeling of being at the stadium. The new Steelers Country will be anchored by the record-breaking roller coaster Steel Curtain. “Being the first park to collaborate with a professional sports franchise on not only a themed area, but also a pulse-pounding, high-flying roller coaster is a great honor that fits in with Kennywood’s longstanding tradition of innovation,” said Kennywood General Manager Jerome Gibas. “For that franchise to be our hometown Steelers, the most successful team in America’s most popular sport, it’s a sure touchdown!” Throughout Steelers Country, fans will join in on familiar game moments: bursting through the area’s entry tunnel, seeing how they measure up in practice drills, perfecting their touchdown dances, and checking scores and highlights on Steelers Country’s giant video screen. With Steelers Country, Kennywood and the Pittsburgh Steelers are honoring the greatness of the past and looking toward the future of the park, the team, the fans and the city of Pittsburgh. “We are very excited about the partnership with Kennywood,” said Steelers Vice President of Sales and Marketing Ryan Huzjak. “Being able to connect the Pittsburgh Steelers with a family attraction like Kennywood is a natural fit for both organizations, and we are thrilled about the tradition and longstanding history the Steelers and Kennywood provide to families in and around the city of Pittsburgh. The towering Steel Curtain roller coaster will rule Kennywood’s skyline. With a record-breaking 9 inversions, 197 foot-tall loop, and 220-foot maximum height, Steel Curtain is an adrenaline rush like no other, speeding across 4,000 feet of track at 75 miles per hour. Designed by S&S Worldwide, Steel Curtain will break a Pennsylvania record (tallest roller coaster), a North American record (most inversions), and a world record (tallest inversion). The colossal steel structure of the coaster will serve as a landmark addition to the park and a high-energy entry point welcoming guests to Steelers Country. “We are honored to partner with this great historic park and the Pittsburgh Steelers on this coaster, said S&S Worldwide Director of Sales Pete Barto. “We all know how passionate Steelers fans are, and it is our mission to make sure the Steel Curtain ride lives up to its legendary namesake.” For more on Steelers Country at Kennywood, please visit www.kennywood.com/steelerscountry Copyright © 2005 - ACE Western Pennsylvania |
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