Amid objections, Kennywood puts in its bid to serve beer at its park

Kennywood has served its patrons with family-oriented fun for well over a century, keeping up… Kennywood has served its patrons with family-oriented fun for well over a century, keeping up with newer competing amusement parks by investing in a slew of winding roller coasters, tricky games and colorful festivities.

In an attempt to tap another revenue source, Kennywood is looking to serve another thing: alcohol.

“We had an Oktoberfest event [serving beer] for two weekends last September that was very well-received,” said Jeff Filicko, Kennywood’s public relations manager, explaining why he was optimistic about the venture to serve beer in the amusement park. “It’s simply another offering to our guests, and it’s something they have been asking for. We’re looking forward to the addition.”

The licensing, which is just waiting on state approval, will allow Kennywood to open a beer garden — a solace from the hustle of the park where patrons can relax and sip on cold frothy beverages as they take a respite from the heat.

But the new venture hasn’t come without opposition.

In early June, Pennsylvania Sen. Jim Ferlo took the stance that serving alcohol in a family-oriented park might be a bad idea.

Economic Development Director Joe Kramer spoke on behalf of Ferlo, articulating exactly what was at stake.

“I think that most people in this region recognize Kennywood as a family-friendly environment. It’s an amusement park catering to minors,” Kramer said. “Do we want people leaving Kennywood ‘buzzed up’? That’s not an environment Kennywood has maintained for many years.”

Kramer went on to explain that although Kennywood falls outside of the region the Senator represents, he still has grounds for concern.

“The Senator’s constituents use Kennywood as a regional asset, and intervention is completely legitimate. It’s a regional amenity, sort of like the zoo,” Kramer said.

Kramer said that Ferlo has concern for people of his region visiting Kennywood and has serious reservations about serving alcohol in the park.

Because of these reservations, Kennywood is negotiating additional conditions beyond what the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board ordinarily requires for licensing.

Jeff Filicko said that Kennywood’s policy would prohibit patrons from purchasing more than two beers per person, per day, by being entered into the alcohol zone with UV hand stamps and monitored with wristbands.

Also, staff serving the alcohol would be involved in Responsible Alcohol Management Program training.

According to Filicko, access to alcohol within amusement parks is not unique to Kennywood. Many other parks have served alcohol for years. Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va., opened in 1975 to market Anheuser-Busch products. Similarly, Universal Studios, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, California Adventure, Epcot, Sea World, and many Six Flags amusement parks provide alcohol to its patrons.

“We have no interest in wine or liquor,” Filicko added. “Just beer. And the beer has to be purchased and consumed in [the beer garden] — not a large area. If you don’t want it, it doesn’t affect you.”

Filicko went on to say he believed that much of the concern about Kennywood’s addition of alcohol was a communication issue, as the senator wasn’t initially aware of all the measures Kennywood was taking to ensure alcohol safety.

“He had concerns because he didn’t have full access to the safety measures we’re taking,” Filicko said.

Filicko said much of the misunderstanding was cleared up when Kennywood representatives went to Ferlo’s Pittsburgh office on June 8 to ensure him that the beer garden “won’t have a negative effect on the park.”

According to Kramer, some of these safety measures and conditions are still undergoing negotiation, details of which cannot be disclosed, but he anticipates that a consensus will be reached by the end of the week.

There is also a possibility of an open hearing, where people would be able to voice personal opinions regarding the change. Among people in the region with concerns over Kennywood’s alcohol policy is Pittsburgh Public Schools Board Member Mark Brentley, who had part in influencing the decision that alcohol would not be sold until the end of picnic season, in July, to ensure that field-tripping students would be affected minimally by Kennywood’s addition.

Kramer said that the potential public hearing has no official date and is still pending.