Kennywood's 'Log Jammer' reopens after being closed most of Saturday
Kennywood's popular Log Jammer ride reopened at about 4:15 p.m. Saturday after being closed most of the day while maintenance staff fixed it during its last weekend in operation.
The ride stopped working properly shortly after the amusement park opened Saturday morning, according to park spokesmen. It was scheduled to run Sunday, the park's last day of the season, barring any more problems.
The park announced earlier in the week that the 40-year-old ride w ould be retired after the weekend .
Some park visitors took to social media Saturday to express their frustration with the closure.
Kennywood said the log jammer was closing this weekend and then everyone came and it's closed pic.twitter.com/GANUpontuC
" chelsea. (@chelsaya) September 16, 2017
Today in #yinzer : People are legit camped outside the line for the currently closed #LogJammer
" Michelle Scheponik (@sassypegg) September 16, 2017
Spokesman Chris Salerno said lines were long but that they likely would have been long even if the ride wasn't down.
"This is our last weekend for our regular operating season. We would have been busy even if the Log Jammer wasn't going to be closed. We typically are the last weekend," he said.
Riders waiting patiently for #LogJammer to reopen - last weeknd of operation. Officials say there is a water level issue #pgh #Kennywood pic.twitter.com/xsGeuHBRQR
" RabbleVID (@rabble_vid) September 16, 2017
Others made the best of it.
Last weekend for the log jammer and it's broke down right now 🙁 If nothing else we at least got our picture before they tear it down pic.twitter.com/Q9ojJW6QJk
" Bob K Mertz (@bblboy54) September 16, 2017
The ride, which features a 53-foot drop in a hollowed-out log down a watery chute, first opened in 1975. It was advertised as the park's first million-dollar attraction.
Kennywood General Manager Jerome Gibas said the park hasn't made any decisions about what will replace the ride.
Wes Venteicher is a Tribune-Review staff writer.
