Kennywood cancels 21-plus nights due to fights, reiterates "Zero-Tolerance" policy
Amid an outbreak of fights, Kennywood has announced that it is cancelling its 21+ events.
"Kennywood has a zero-tolerance policy for this type of behavior," Kennywood General Manager Ricky Spicuzza said in a statement provided to KDKA-TV. "Anyone displaying unruly or disruptive behavior will be banned from the park. We are cancelling the 21+ event at Kennywood, effective immediately."
Videos posted to social media showed a fight at the park during Friday night's event.
Jon Supinski of Canonsburg said he was at Friday's 21+ event. He got there around 7:20 p.m. and left around 10:50 p.m., before he said the fights began.
"[Wanted] to get out of here before it closes at midnight because people are getting more crowded, more rambunctious," Supinski said.
Supinski said he also noted that people kept on drinking more alcohol as the night went on, and that he could smell marijuana "everywhere in the park."
Kennywood did not say if anyone, or how many people, were banned because of the social media video. Two women who were involved in fights last week were permanently banned, a spokesperson told us.
Allegheny County police told KDKA-TV that West Mifflin police made the arrests after Friday's fighting. It did mention that it assisted park security and West Mifflin police with handling multiple incidents.
West Mifflin police told KDKA-TV via phone Saturday that its chief is the only person who could provide an update, and that they would not be in until Monday.
Last year, Kennywood added the event for one night and announced earlier this month that they were bringing it back for two nights, scheduled for August 22 and August 29, respectively.
The event had the park open from 7 p.m. until midnight, with several rides remaining open and offering alcohol sales throughout the park. There was also live music from a DJ, karaoke, games, and other attractions.
Tiffany Green of Swissvale brought her young daughters back Saturday after coming to the park on Friday, where workers told her there was nothing for her kids to do because of the 21+ event.
This is the first time she has brought her children to Kennywood in a few years.
"I stopped bringing my kids to Kennywood because of the shootings, the fights, and everything," Green said.
Green added that she believes the park needs more security and that it should have tried to reduce the amount of alcohol people were able to purchase and drink.
At the end of the day, she and others we spoke with also put the onus of maintaining civility on those who were starting trouble.
"They should know how to handle themselves, right?" Supinski said. "They're all adults."
As the summer winds down, Kennywood is gearing up for its Phantom Fall Fest, which begins on Sept. 12 and runs through Nov. 1.
The park will be open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays, noon to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays.