On top of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and a contentious presidential election, Western Pennsylvania amusement park fans last recently received the disheartening news that Idlewild and SoakZone in Ligonier and Kennywood in West Mifflin would both be retiring several longtime attractions. I wrote about the impending loss of Idlewild’s Ferris Wheel, kiddie Rainbow Wheel and Bubbling Springs ball pit in the November 4, 2020 issue of the Latrobe Bulletin which you can read here, as well as the November 10, 2020 issue of The Ligonier Echo.

[image error] Idlewild’s second Ferris Wheel was added to the park for the 1984 season. It was one of two twin Ferris Wheels originally installed in 1959 at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin.
Photo by Jennifer Sopko