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Get your scare on at Kennywood's Phantom Fright Nights

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
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Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
A figure rises from a window to a passing group as they make their way through the Shady Grove Memorial Hospital on Thursday at Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights season in Kennywood.
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Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
The Steel Curtain roller coaster flies past the evening moon with riders on Thursday during Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights season.
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Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Dana Weber, a Kennywood employee in her eighth season in costume as one of the frightening characters on Thursday during Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights season.
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Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
The entrance tunnel to Kennywood Phantom Fright Nights is illuminated eerily by fog and lights as figures emerge from the tunnel, including actor Steve Pillage, who’s portraying an crazed homeless zombie man, on Thursday during Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights season.
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Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Fog and lights adorn the pathways below the new Steel Curtain roller coaster on Thursday during Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights season.
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Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Figures emerge from an elevator in the Shady Grove Memorial Hospital attraction on Thursday during Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights season.
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Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
The entrance tunnel to Kennywood Phantom Fright Nights is illuminated eerily by fog and lights as figures emerge from the tunnel on Thursday during Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights season.
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Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Eerie lighting illuminates Kennywood for night time visitors on Thursday during Kennywood’s Phantom Fright Nights season.

Shady Grove Memorial Hospital is not a place to get well.

It’s a scary medical facility where a murderous doctor is stalking patients and staff alike.

Yikes!

It’s the newest addition to 18th annual Phantom Fright Nights, the Halloween-themed attractions at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin. Throughout October, the event is open from 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays,

Doctors, nurses and patients create a nail-biting atmosphere where visitors need to look around every turn and behind the drawn curtains. The hospital was shown off during a media preview on Thursday night.

If you make it out of the hospital, housed in one of the new picnic pavilions, there might be time to catch a viewing of “It: The 4D Experience,” a short based on the 2017 film from the classic Stephen King novel.

Memo to those who fear clowns: Stay away

For additional scares, take a ride on The Steel Curtain, the park’s newest roller coaster, which opened in July. Other roller coasters and park attractions will be open.

Blue lights and lots of smoke throughout the park create a spooky setting.

“As one of Pittsburgh’s most popular and longest-running Halloween attractions, we’re always looking to reinvent ourselves,” said Marie Ruby, director of ride operations and Phantom Fright Nights. “With a new haunt, new movie, and a new record-setting roller coaster, this year’s Fright Nights will deliver many new thrills … or else.”

Tickets are $36.99.

For the little ones, Kennywood, for a third year, is having Happy Hauntings, a kid-friendly Halloween event, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in October.

Highlights include Thomas Town, which will be redecorated for the fall, and a new live show, “Steel City Adventures.” Children can go on a hayride through Lost Kennywood, enjoy a hay maze or trick-or-treat through a vampire’s abandoned mansion.

Kids who are tall enough — 48” — can ride The Steel Curtain.

Tickets are $15.99

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.

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