Kennywood officially kicked off its daily summer schedule Friday with an event honoring some of the amusement park's most serious fans.
Roller coaster aficionados, amusement park historians and a few old Steelers were in the mix — and new park character, the Fanatic.
In the midst of the excitement, park spokesman Nick Paradise reiterated a pledge the park made earlier this month to beef up security after a scuffle on opening day. Four teenage girls reportedly suffered scrapes, bruises and other minor injuries in the May 2 mayhem and the park closed early. No one was arrested but Paradise said police have indicated “there are some people that will be held accountable” for the incident.
The park has met with local police and other security officials since the incident, and Paradise said a larger presence of security personnel will be in the park this year.
“We don't want to take any chances,” he said.
The park will celebrate the 95th anniversary of its Jack Rabbit roller coaster May 24 with a Turn Back the Clock oldies day. Paradise said the event is one of many ways the park will celebrate its place as a local cultural landmark.
Former Steeler Mike Logan was part of the festivities Friday.
Logan recalled an interview he gave immediately after the Steelers' victory in Super Bowl XL in which a reporter asked him what his next goal would be.
“I said, ‘I want to go to Kennywood,'” said Logan, a former McKeesport Tiger.
A tribute to Logan's football accomplishments will be in the park's Grand Prix attraction, where a black-and-gold number 31 bumper car is being put on the track.
There was much Steeler-related pride to be experienced Friday.
Bill Priatko, who played for the Steelers in the late 1950s and now works in park concessions, a job similar to the one he had with the park when he was in high school, said being a regular part of the park keeps him young.
“I just enjoy it,” Priatko said.
A new park character, the Fanatic, has a Steeler-inspired look.
Patrick Fisher, 50, of McKeesport will make occasional appearances throughout the summer as the Fanatic, sporting black-and-gold face paint and a similar mohawk.
Fisher was fired up Friday, passing out pins and encouraging others to get fanatic about the park.
“We've got one of the best parks in the country right here in our own back yard,” Fisher said. “We're all fanatics. You can just come to Kennywood and be yourself.”
West Mifflin Area Middle School history students were recognized at the opening.
Teacher Glenn Gougler said a dozen eighth-graders from the school produced short films about the French and Indian War that park guests will be able to see by way of their smart phones while waiting in lines for park rides.
Gougler said the inspiration for the films came from a history lesson earlier this year on the war, some of which was fought in the Monongahela River Valley more than 250 years ago.
“Everybody is on their phone,” Gougler said. “Why not have them learn a little something while they're here?”
Eric Slagle is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1966, or eslagle@tribweb.com.
