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Kennywood alumni get invitation
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Bob Donaldson/Post-Gazette
Workers swarm over the almost-completed Ghostwood Estate dark ride, located where the Gold Rusher ride was last season. The Thunderbolt roller coaster is at right.

If you've ever worked at Kennywood, you can go home again.

For thousands of local youngsters and adults, "home" for many summers was the historic West Mifflin amusement park, where they collected tickets, lifted young children onto rides in Kiddieland, painted faces, manned arcade booths and more.

Kennywood is inviting those former employees -- or "team members" in Kennywood-ese -- to return and relive the shared memories from the past 109 seasons. An Alumni Picnic is set for May 18, rain or shine.

The cost is $10 for a ride-all-day pass, a FunDay pass, a 2008 Alumni Club keepsake and a 25 percent discount at the Parkside Terrace restaurant.

Kennywood alumni have been notified by mail and must buy their tickets through the mail. Additional ride-all-day tickets for friends and family can be purchased for the discounted rate of $18. Again, purchase is only through the mail.

Alumni not on the mailing list should visit www.kennywood.com or call Dee Matava at Kennywood at 412-461-0500, ext. 1306.

The pre-ordered tickets can be picked up at the main gate, starting at 10 a.m.

Pavilion 1, the double-decker pavilion near the Jack Rabbit, will be the headquarters for the event. Activities such as a group photo and prize drawings will begin at 5 p.m. Prizes will include a lifetime Kennywood pass.

For those who cannot attend the picnic, the Thunderbolt level of Alumni Club membership is available for $4.95 a year.

All Alumni Club members receive two newsletters filled with insider park information and news about Kennywood alumni, and a Kennywood Christmas card.

They also receive a 20 percent discount at any gift shop throughout the 2008 season.

Current team members are welcome to come by and see old friends, said park spokeswoman Mary Lou Rosemeyer.

The park began these picnics in 1995. Last year's event attracted about 120 alumni.

Margaret Smykla is a freelance writer.
First published on May 8, 2008 at 5:53 am
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