By Debra Erdley

Published: Saturday, September 15, 2012, 5:58 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Kennywood Park toasted the end of its summer season with a new menu item — beer.

The West Mifflin amusement park, which has been operating on weekends only for several weeks, began selling beer last weekend — at $7 per 16 oz. cup — after months of debate and negotiation.

Park General Manager Jerome P. Gibas said Kennywood's beer garden opens at 1 p.m. and closes no later than two hours before that park's closing.

“The operation of the beer garden is based upon the crowd and weather,” Gibas said.

West Mifflin council approved a liquor license transfer from a closed McKeesport restaurant — which Kenny­wood's parent company owned — to the park in April. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board approved the transfer on Aug. 6.

The start of beer sales followed months of negotiations and preparation. Park spokesman Jeff Filicko said Kennywood required employees to complete the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's Responsible Alcohol Management Program prior to the beginning of sales.

State Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, helped negotiate the agreement for Kennywood to sell beer in limited areas of the park and to provide alcohol at catered events. Some people opposed the idea.

“Given the conditions and oversight, I'm confident they'll continue to run a family-friendly park,” Ferlo said.

Filicko said Kennywood will not sell beer during its Phantom Fright Nights this fall.

Debra Erdley is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-320-7996 or derdley@tribweb.com.

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