Free Republic

ATLANTA, GA – Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (“Herschend”), the world’s largest family-held themed attractions company, has officially completed its acquisition of Palace Entertainment’s 24 U.S. attractions, solidifying plans first shared in March. As of today, Herschend operates 49 properties, with 22,000 hosts serving nearly 20 million guests annually. This milestone moment also coincides with Herschend’s 75th anniversary—two defining moments that underscore Herschend’s commitment to innovation and strategic growth, aligning with its purpose of Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. “This is a landmark moment—not just for Herschend, but for every host, guest, and community we serve,” said...

The lawsuit, filed this week by Robert and Krystsina Trostle of Squirrel Hill, alleges that while Robert Trostle was on the ride in July, he was splashed in the left eye with water containing the microsporidia parasite. Over the next few days, his eye became inflamed and painful, and he subsequently was diagnosed with microsporidia keratitis. The lawsuit contends that the parasite could not be entirely removed and that Trostle still suffers from blurry vision, redness, itchiness, pain and inflammation. The lawsuit states that while the Trostles were in line for the ride, they noticed that the Raging Rapids was...

Kennywood Park, the summertime mecca for generations of Pittsburghers in search of thrill rides, arcade games, old-fashioned family fun and gooey cheese fries, was sold yesterday to a Spanish company. Kennywood Entertainment, a West Mifflin-based enterprise since 1898, will be taken over by Parques Reunidos of Madrid, which plans to leave day-to-day operation of the park in local hands. The descendants of F.W. Henninger and A.S. McSwigan, who acquired the park from Pittsburgh Railway Co. in 1906, had been approached by amusement companies in the past about selling the local icon, but have refused. When Premiere Parks, an Oklahoma-based chain,...

Another market ride today.

<p>Kennywood Park could increase admission costs in the future and offer less in new attractions because of an increase in West Mifflin's amusement tax, a park official said Monday.</p> <p>West Mifflin Council last week approved changing the borough's amusement tax to a flat 5 percent. Before, the borough and the West Mifflin Area School District split 10 percent of the ticket cost or $1, whichever was less.</p>