The Kennywood ketchup controversy is over.
Heinz is returning to the West Mifflin amusement park, along with Sandcastle and Idlewild & SoakZone.
“Kennywood has had the honor to be in business for the past 120 years because of our guests,” park officials said in a statement Wednesday. “We value and understand Pittsburgh’s pride and passion for preserving traditions, including supporting our hometown businesses. And after looking in Heinz sight at our decision, we are pleased to announce we will serve Pittsburgh’s favorite ketchup at Kennywood Park, Idlewild and Sandcastle.”
Heinz ketchup is expected to be back by this weekend, though it could take until early next week, Kennywood spokesman Chris Salerno said.
If you’re one of the 8,500 #Yinzers who signed the petition to bring #Heinz Ketchup back to Kennywood, we have some good news: HEINZ KETCHUP IS RETURNING TO #Kennywood, #Idlewild, AND #Sandcastle!#pittsburgh #yinz #CoasterNation pic.twitter.com/M1lw3T0DSh
— Coaster Nation (@Coaster_Nation) June 12, 2019
Residents were outraged last month when they learned Kennywood had switched condiment loyalties from Heinz to Hunt’s.
Someone started an online petition to bring back Heinz. More than 8,500 people had signed the petition as of Wednesday.
#kennywood switched from #Heinz #ketchup to #hunts #shame #Pittsburgh
— crosbycat (@1crosbycat) May 28, 2019
The PR person must not be from Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh doesn’t DO hunts. ? #heinz #kennywood #ketchupfail https://t.co/M3ajgWtI20
— Jessica Katica (@JessicaKatica) May 25, 2019
On June 1, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster visited Kennywood with a Heinz Ketchup bottle to offer an alternative to Hunt’s for visitors.
The park opened this season to customer unrest when it was reported the cheese changed at The Potato Patch. Kennywood later revealed it was only testing out a new recipe and quickly restored the beloved cheese sauce.
The choice of Hunts over Heinz is unforgivable regardless of any other variables. #Kennywood
— R.J. Hufnagel (@RJHuf) May 24, 2019
This weekend's #GarthBrooks concert is expected to be the largest event in Heinz Field history.
But it was only going to be the second-largest if we'd had to hold the "People Pissed Off At #Kennywood For Changing the #PotatoPatch Cheese Sauce" Conference.
— Jay Thurber Show – WRCT/WMCK (@JayThurberShow) May 16, 2019
