Kennywood Day: 125 Years of Memories

Bring your friends (and wear your best matching Kennywood outfits) for a day of special programming, family-friendly games, carnival-themed food, and more!

From a “behind-the-screams” panel discussion with special guests to cultural day cooking demonstrations and archival talks, Kennywood Day will delve into the park’s 125-year history with commentary from amusement park experts, former employees, park fanatics, and friends.

Founded in 1898 as a trolley park, Kennywood is one of only two amusement parks to be designated as a National Historic Landmark. The History Center is proud to partner with Kennywood on this special anniversary program and to preserve the park’s history.

Kennywood Day Schedule

• 10:30 – 11 a.m. – Exploring the Kennywood “Park-ives” in the Detre Library & Archives (6th floor) 
• 11:30 a.m. to noon – Ethnic Heritage Days: Italian cooking demonstration featuring Chris Fennimore of QED Cooks (Weisbrod Kitchen Classroom, 3rd floor) 
• Noon to 1 p.m. – “Kennywood and the Rise of the Amusement Park: An American Phenomenon,” a special presentation and discussion with Lauren Rabinovitz, noted amusement park scholar and author of “Electric Dreamland” 
• 1-1:30 p.m. – Ethnic Heritage Days: Eastern European cooking demonstration featuring Chris Fennimore of QED Cooks (Weisbrod Kitchen Classroom, 3rd floor) 
• 1:30-2 p.m. – Exploring the Kennywood “Park-ives” in the Detre Library & Archives (6th floor) 
• 2-3 p.m. – “That Kennywood Summer” screening and Q&A with WQED’s Rick Sebak  
• 3-4 p.m. – Behind the Screams panel featuring award-winning author Brian Butko and local amusement park historians Bryan Bartley, Rachel Cunningham, Rick Davis, Mike Funyak, Jim Futrell, Dave Hahner, and Jen Sopko