By TAYLOR BROWN
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For the first time in more than a century, Belle Vernon area residents won’t munch on Potato Patch fries, relax on the carousel or defy gravity on the Steel Curtain at Kennywood this year.
On Wednesday, Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rich Saxberg announced the committee made the difficult decision to cancel the 103rd Belle Vernon Area Kennywood Community Picnic.
The Belle Vernon Area Community Day at the amusement park was set for July 14, but with current park restrictions, the committee thought it would be best to cancel.
“For over 100 years, residents in the Belle Vernon area have always marked the second Tuesday in July as an unofficial holiday. It was always the day we celebrated with family and friends at Kennywood Park,” he said. “Unfortunately, we will need to postpone the community picnic this year.”
Kennywood, Sandcastle and Idlewild parks will open July 11, though season-pass holders will be welcome beginning Tuesday.
As part of precautions due to the coronavirus pandemic, guests will have to make reservations in advance for the day on which they want to visit, according to park officials.
Tickets will no longer be sold at the gates, and ticket sales for community or school district days will be done online to keep down the number of people in the park.
In addition to limiting the number of people in the park, employees also will limit the number of people on each ride, in each pool and in all restaurants and other park buildings.
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