Labor Day Fun (9/7/15)

1)  “Kennywood’s open.” No, we don’t mean the local slang usage, we mean the actual amusement park. The park’s latest attraction, Black Widow, is a high-spinning/swing ride that gives riders a nice vantage point of the park. For roller coaster enthusiasts, there’s  Thunderbolt, Racer, Jack Rabbit, Phantom’s Revenge, Exterminator, and Sky Rocket. If it’s a hot day and you feel like getting a little wet, check out the Log Jammer, Pittsburg(h) Plunge, and Raging Rapids. Kennywood also features thrill rides, classic rides, dark rides (snuggle up with that special someone), Kiddie Land, daily entertainment, AND its famous Potato Patch French Fries. Park opens 11 a.m.  4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin.

2) Today is Sandcastle’s last day of the season, and they’re  featuring the new “maximum thrill” Dragon’s Den tube ride, where you slide around the rim for a while and then enter the belly of the beast for a dark mist-filled trip. There’s also Lightning Express speed slide, where you zoom down a 60-foot open water slide. What a concept! A water-amusement ride that  combines fear of heights with fear of water. A real two-fer. Luckily, Sandcastle has good people who look out for us “regular Joes”  and make it a fun and safe experience.  If it gets too scary, there’s always the leisurely Lazy River raft ride and Wet Willie’s Water Works, and the Tad Pool for kids. Mon-Tsunami is the cleverly named, wave-pool attraction. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 1000 Sandcastle Dr., Homestead.

3) The Kickoff and Rib Festival at Heinz Field ends today. The festival features some of America’s top rib vendors reflecting the nation’s diverse barbecue tastes. Adding great music to tasty ribs and cold beverages makes a perfect trifecta. Today’s entertainment features Tres Lads (3:30 p.m.) and Eric Paslay (5:30 p.m.) Free admission to Rib Fest. 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Heinz Field, 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore.

4) You may have noticed an unusual war ship docked on the North Shore in the last several days. What is it? It is and LST—an abbreviation for Landing Ship Tank—specifically LST Ship Memorial 325. LSTs carried tanks, soldiers and other heavy equipment ready for action. Like much smaller landing craft the front of the ship had gates that would open and a ramp would be lowered for the tanks, soldiers and equipment to quickly hit the beach. USS 325 saw action during the D-Day invasion of Normandy at Omaha Beach and later at Sicily. It is the last remaining fully operational World War II LST. An exhibit detailing the Battle of Peleliu is on display on the tank deck. Guided tours are offered from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Through Tuesday. The ship is docked on the North Shore near Heinz Field.

Editors note: The writer’s late father Richard Marshall Handler served in the Army’s Combat Engineers who used LSTs to bring on shore their heavy construction equipment and supplies during or soon after battles. His unit supported the troops in the Pacific battles of Leyte, Saipan, and Okinawa. Handler was also involved in booking entertainers for the troops.

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