On Thursday, July 16, 2020 I checked my work email, which is usually filled with deals from various web or printing companies wanting to sell me something. Normally I just press delete a few times and I’m done for the day. On that day, however, something was there that I had all but forgotten about. It was from Kennywood Amusement Park and the email’s title read: “Kennywood Jack Rabbit 100 Years, 100 Memories Contest – You Won.”
My mood went from bored to excited instantly. A number of months ago I saw that Kennywood was running a contest. The contest asked fans to submit a story about one of their visits to the park that involved the Jack Rabbit coaster, which turned 100 this year. With Pittsburgh a four hour drive from me (Baltimore), I’ve only been to this park a handful of times. One such visit, however, is one I will never forget and is the one that I shared for the contest.
Since 2002, I have arranged annual trips to amusement parks in mid to late June for my workplace. It all began with a small trip one year to Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv) for my birthday. A few people heard about it after the fact and asked if they could go next time. So the following year for my birthday, I decided to do it again, but this time, go to Hersheypark. Then people asked if I could plan them a couple of weeks later so college and high school classes would be finished and so they could go too. After a couple of years, the trips that started off as something to do for my birthday, became an annual event at my workplace. Well, in 2014 we decided to venture a little further out than our normal SFGAdv, Hersheypark, Kings Dominion, Dorney Park, and Busch Gardens. We made our first, and still only, group trip to Kennywood.
Our groups, at that time, tended to number between 15-20 people. This group was about 30. We usually rent a 15 passenger van so that we can save on gas and tolls, but in 2014 (and many years since), we’ve had to rent two vans. James drove one and I drove the other. A few cars also drove up separately since we also needed to pack some food and such.
Long story short, what I described as my memory for the 100 Years, 100 Memories Contest came during the final minutes that the park was open and immediately after it closed. You see, a few of the girls who were in my van, asked me if they could head back a little early and relax before the drive home. I said sure, but told them I was going to try to get in a few more rides as we worked our way back toward the park’s entrance. I gave them the keys and we proceeded to get in what we could.
After a couple of rides on Phantom’s Revenge, and one on Thunderbolt, time was running out. There was no way we’d get Racer, Jack Rabbit, and Sky Rocket in before close. We were at the lake and I saw Jack Rabbit had no line, so that’s where we went. We walked on, got in a ride and had time to grab another one immediately following. After those two rides to end the night, it was time to head back to the van and make the long journey home.
All seemed good when we got back out to the parking lot. The girls were relaxed, looking at their cellphones, enjoying the air conditioning, etc. Since we had a four hour ride home, I decided to go to the back of the van real quick and make myself a turkey sandwich and grab a soda from the cooler. When I returned to the drivers seat, that’s when I saw it.
I was mid-first bite and I looked at the dash. The girls had been running the air conditioning, lights, and using all the inputs to power their phones, but had never turned the van on. In the process, they killed the battery. I had never had a dead battery before and my heart sunk.
Luckily, James hadn’t pulled away with his van yet. I threw my plate on the dash and ran over to his van. He told me we’d need to jump the battery, but we didn’t have any cables. Now I had to go around the very empty parking lot and see if I could find someone willing to help. Luckily, after about five minutes of looking, I located a park security guard who had cables and was able to help.
I said it that day and I mentioned it in my submission for the contest, at that point I was so glad I didn’t make the choice to wear my Ravens shirt that morning, like I almost did. I doubt anyone would have been willing to help me had I been wearing that.
Once our battery was good, I thanked the security guard, got back in my van, and was able to enjoy my sandwich. The girl who I gave the keys too, who was riding shotgun, had this look of guilt on her face. I didn’t say a word and just ate my sandwich before leaving the park. The only thing that she said to me in that moment was, “Jason came over to our van while you were looking for someone to help. He looked at your sandwich and joked that he should eat it. I told him that would be very unwise right now. Patrick might kill you!”
I shook my head, finished my sandwich and we were on our way back to Baltimore.
Even to this day, there are some of us who still work together and bring up this trip each and every year when we plan out our park trip. We’ve had many memories, but this one will always stand out. The girl who took the keys inside the park, the one who was riding shotgun, even gave me a set a jumper cables as a gag Christmas gift that year. Needless to say, they’ve gone on our park trips with us ever since.
As for the email and prize, it looks like Kennywood is just reaching out to the winners right now to inform them of their winnings. The season pass prizes will be for 2021 as the park wants to give the winners a full season at the park. They are also upgrading the passes from bronze level to silver. Most interesting to me, however, is their mentioning of inviting all winners to a Jack Rabbit Centennial Celebration. The Covid-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into a lot of things this year, including this contest and celebration, so they haven’t provided a date at this time. I know I fully aim to go once the park makes the announcement.
I am very happy to have won this contest and will try to make a few visits to Kennywood in 2021. Do you frequent Kennywood? Do you have a season pass? Hit me up if you’d like to catch some rides together one day on all their classic woodies and record breaking steel offerings! I have yet to try Steel Curtain. Maybe I’ll wear a Ravens shirt for that one? You know… now that I have my own jumper cables!
You can be my wingman anytime! (Top Gun, 1986)
Patrick
The lead image & video featured above, are the property of Kennywood Amusement Park & are featured on the 100 Years, 100 Memories Contest page (no longer active). I have included them here on this blog for reference purposes. Please visit Kennywood.com as well as their YouTube Channel .
