PITTSBURGH, Pa. – After being closed for a year, the Steel Curtain roller coaster at Kennywood Park will reopen at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the much-anticipated reopening, with remarks by Ricky Spicuzza, general manager, and current and former Pittsburgh Steelers players.

Standing 220 feet above the park, Pennsylvania’s tallest roller coaster features nine inversions, the most of any coaster in the United States. To mark the grand return, Gold and Platinum season passholders will get exclusive first ride time on the coaster Friday, May 23. 

With 4,000 feet of track, the Steel Curtain originally opened in 2019. In 2024, the coaster began a yearlong modification project to increase the reliability and longevity of the ride. 

Through the project, the park worked with the ride’s manufacturer, S&S Worldwide, and third-party engineers to add three new columns and additional braces throughout the ride. This modification decreased the structural movement of the ride, ultimately

allowing the coaster to make more cycles throughout its lifespan.

In addition to the grand return of the Steel Curtain, Kennywood’s longest season ever continues with the beginning of Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival on Friday, May 23. Offering foods from around the world, this year’s event will feature two new countries: Cuba and Spain. Eight tasting locations offering unique menu options will be set up around the lagoon.

The festivities will continue throughout Memorial Day weekend as the popular Nerveless Nocks return to Kennywood for the second year in a row. The Original Dare Devil Circus will take place at various times throughout the day at the Garden Stage from May 23 through June 29. 

Kennywood will be open every day from May 23 through Aug. 18

The Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 23 through June 29, plus Monday, May 26. The park will celebrate America with July 4 and 5 fireworks shows above the lagoon and nine nights of drone shows July 11-19, during the new All-American Summer.