Steel Curtain roller coaster at Kennywood reopening with ‘reliable’ changes after yearlong closure
After a yearlong closure, The Steel Curtain roller coaster will reopen May 24, 2025 at Kennywood Park.
The Steel Curtain coaster returns
A little over a year after being closed, The Steel Curtain roller coaster will reopen on May 24 at Kennywood in West Mifflin, Penn., just outside of Pittsburgh. This coaster draws its name from the local National Football League (NFL) team and the legendary 1970s defense, The Steel Curtain.
Kennywood General Manager Ricky Spicuzza said special guests, including current Pittsburgh Steelers players and alumni, will be in attendance to mark the coaster’s official grand re-opening.
Kennywood Gold and Platinum pass holders can ride The Steel Curtain on May 23, the day before the roller coaster’s official reopening.
The Steel Curtain features 4,000 feet of track, a maximum height of 220 feet, and nine inversions.
“Kennywood fans should get ready to reach speeds of nearly 80 miles per hour as they tackle every twist, turn, and touchdown-level drop starting this Memorial Day Weekend,” said Spicuzza. “We can’t wait to reintroduce this iconic coaster to our guests. With a heightened focused on the Steel Curtain’s reliability, this summer, guests can expect to hop on for a ride during every visit to Kennywood.”
What changed during Steel Curtain’s closure?
The Steel Curtain roller coaster opened in 2019, operated intermittently during 2023, and closed in early 2024. It has not reopened since then.
The modification project for The Steel Curtain involved new columns for three of the roller coaster’s main towers. These add structural support alongside various braces. Based on these modifications, the roller coaster should also have less downtime than it did before.
Kennywood food festival
In addition to the return of The Steel Curtain, Kennywood’s Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival is on May 23. It offers cuisine from around the world. This year’s event features two new countries, Cuba and Spain. Visitors can travel around the Kennywood Lagoon to eight tasting locations offering unique menu options at each booth.
The festivities continue throughout the weekend as the Nerveless Nocks return to Kennywood for the second year in a row. The Original Dare Devil Circus will occur at various times throughout the day at the Garden Stage from May 23 – June 29. Kennywood promises that guests will be on the edge of their seats watching one of the most legendary stunt families in circus history perform breathtaking acrobatics and motorcycle stunts.
Established in 1898, Kennywood is one of the oldest amusement parks in the U.S. In March, theme park operator Herschend announced that it would acquire Palace Entertainment’s parks and attractions in the U.S. from Parques Reunidos, including Kennywood.
Visit Kennywood.com for more information on the reopening of The Steel Curtain, Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival, and to purchase season passes.
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