While the North Allegheny School District will be celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the district’s annual Kennywood Day isn’t quite as old.
Kennywood Day has been an NA fixture at least since the 1980s, according to Brandi Smith, school district spokeswoman.
While researching the district’s history in preparation for NA’s diamond jubilee this year, she found an 1987 article in the old North Hills News Record that advertised a North Allegheny Community Day at Kennywood. The event was sponsored by a local group, North Allegheny Community Connections.
That year, discounted admission for all-day tickets was $9.50 and general admission was $2.50.
This year’s Kennywood Day is Aug. 12. North Allegheny will be at Pavilion No. 16, next to the Steel Curtain roller coaster. The North Allegheny Marching Band will participate in a parade at the amusement park.
Kennywood gate prices are $59.99 this year. North Allegheny is offering discounted prices with two ticket options. Tickets for the Aug. 12, day-only event cost $39. Flexible tickets that can be used any day throughout the Kennywood summer season cost $45.
Tickets can be purchased at the district’s athletic office located at the senior high school off of Route 19, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last ticket sales are Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Aug. 12, 9 a.m. to noon.
The proceeds of the ticket sales benefit NA’s Toys of Tigers holiday toy drive, North Allegheny Unified Boosters Organization scholarships, and other NA programs, Smith said.
Alice Beckett-Rumberger, mother of several NA grads and one current ninth-grader, said not only do kids enjoy Kennywood Day, but parents enjoy seeing one another, which develops a sense of community.
“Our family looks forward to Kennywood every year,” said Beckett-Rumberger, who also sits on the executive council of the North Allegheny Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the school district.
“And, of course, it’s (getting) the annual loaded funnel cake,” she quipped.
