Kennywood - Photo Journal

There's a slightly gritty, slightly Gothic, and very American style of magic that can be found only at Kennywood and virtually no where else in the world.

On my drive out east to Sunbury, Pennsylvania for the FREDx conference at GCII headquarters, I had a chance to stop at Pittsburgh's Kennywood for the evening. Kennywood was still my favorite amusement park in the world at the time, so I never let an opportunity to visit go to waste if I'm driving through the area, even if only for a couple of hours on the evening ticket. In the background is the Black Widow, Kennywood's new for 2012 ride, replacing the Pitt Fall.

There aren't many urban amusement parks left in the country, as most were forced out into the suburbs between the 1950's and 1970's. Having so much history in a relatively dense space means there are many layers representing the turn of the century to today all stacked together in one big potpourri, which makes Kennywood so wonderfully eclectic.

Today was "Irish Day" at Kennywood, meaning you could print off a coupon for after 5:00pm admission for $16.

Carousel fountain at the front gates of Kennywood.

I had a bit of time to kill after arriving for the 5:00pm ticket to start. This included getting a cheese steak at Primanti Bros (french fries served inside rather than alongside the sandwich), Pittsburgh's answer to the Philly cheese steak.

Another shot of the carousel fountain. I believe the whole ticketing plaza was added in 2005.

The sun was starting to go down behind Phantom's Revenge, meaning it was time to start the night at Kennywood.

First up: Kennywood's newest roller coaster, the 2010 built Sky Rocket.

Sky Rocket stands over the entrance (after crossing under Kennywood Blvd. from the ticket plaza), so it makes an obvious choice for first ride of the visit.

Next: The Jack Rabbit

Jack Rabbit was built in 1920

It continues to be one of the best rides in the park to this day.

Part of what makes Jack Rabbit (as well as several other rides in the park) so unique is the uneven topography in the park that allows them to hide unexpectedly large drops along the layout such as this one.

Back over at Sky Rocket

Sky Rocket

Sky Rocket

Sky Rocket

I like the variety of elements on Sky Rocket, but why were sections like this built high enough off the ground to require so many silver supports? The off-ride visual presentation is unfortunately this coaster's weakest aspect.

Still, there's quite a few things to like about Sky Rocket.

Sky Rocket's overbanked almost-inversion, taken at lightning speed.

One of the only low-to-the-ground moments on Sky Rocket.

Sky Rocket

Sky Rocket

Sky Rocket

Sky Rocket