PITTSBURGH [November 14, 2023] – Pittsburgh’s Thrill and Entertainment Destination – Kennywood – is serving up a one-of-kind experience next spring: The park’s classic bumper car ride will undergo a total transformation, themed to Kennywood’s iconic fresh-cut Potato Patch® fries. This mouth-watering makeover showcases two beloved Kennywood staples, the bumper cars and Potato Patch, coming together as the park staples both celebrate 50 years.
The tasty transformation will be completed ahead of the 2024 season as Kennywood continues its multi-million-dollar park-wide improvement project. The bumper cars, located in the front of the park, will undergo a full makeover with 20 new cars modeled after the park’s signature snack. Each car will be fitted with fries, oozing cheese sauce and an oversized fork, completing an appetizing look for the most drool-worthy attraction around.
“This classic ride showcases what Kennywood is known for, a perfect blend of modern thrills with a mix of the park’s beloved traditions,” says Kennywood Assistant General Manager, Rick Spicuzza. “The all-new Potato Patch themed bumper cars continue the massive multi-year park enhancement project, keeping Kennywood fun and unique for future generations to enjoy.”
Kennywood announces the new Potato Patch® themed ride coming in 2024 to coincide with the start of the popular Holiday Lights, nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice award for the Best Theme Park Holiday Event. Beginning Saturday, November 18, this year’s event features more than two million twinkling lights and is highlighted by an all-new Santa experience in Thomas Town™. To celebrate the culmination of this momentous year, the park has expanded its calendar for the 2023 season, with an extra weekend added to the season and 3 p.m. openings for more time to enjoy the festive fun.
Holiday Lights transforms Kennywood into a winter wonderland with 20 rides, new seasonal culinary delights and the nightly tree lighting at the tallest Christmas tree in Pennsylvania, standing at 100 feet. The enormous evergreen lights up the park with more than 125,000 sparkling lights strung across its nearly 2,500 branches. For the first time during Holiday Lights, Santa will make Thomas Town® his home leading up to Christmas Eve.
Festive entertainment and seasonal treats add to the Kennywood experience including local celebrity readings of “The Night Before Christmas,” a massive model train display, strolling bands, a Christmas buffet with all the trimmings and much more. Guests can also feast on this year’s new Holiday Lights food offerings including freshly made donuts, turkey legs and cobblers. With classic rides like the Jack Rabbit and Kangaroo plus the first multi-action spin ride of its kind in the U.S., Spinvasion, Holiday Lights offers the most unique holiday outing in the region with something for everyone.
The best way to experience Holiday Lights this year, and the “cheesiest” bumper cars around in the spring of 2024, is to take advantage of the blockbuster Black Friday Sale going on now. Guests can now save up to $40 now, and get unlimited visits to Holiday Lights for free in 2023, plus all of 2024 with a Gold Season Pass. For the best deal, visitors can upgrade to a Platinum Season Pass and get unlimited visits to Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild, Dutch Wonderland and more through 2024.