A Spooky Night of Nostalgia: Kennywood’s First Ever 21+ Night (feat. Fright Night Sneak Peeks!)

Ah, Kennywood. For anyone who grew up in Pittsburgh, this amusement park is more than just a place to ride roller coasters; it’s a treasure trove of nostalgia. As a lifelong Pittsburgher, Kennywood holds a special place in my heart. The sound of joyous screams from the rides, the aroma of funnel cakes and cheese fries from the famous potato patch, and the thrill of childhood memories come rushing back every time I step through those gates. This year marked a monumental occasion—Kennywood’s first-ever Over 21 Night in its 150-year history! Naturally, my fiancé Adam and I decided this was the perfect opportunity for a date night filled with nostalgia, thrills, and a touch of spooky fun.

As we entered, atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Kennywood (at least part of it—being Steeler Country) the park was transformed into a Halloween spectacle, and we were ready to dive into the festivities. Though the air was sticky due to the Pittsburgh summer heat, it was also electric with excitement, and I could feel my inner child bubbling with joy. Our first stop was the much-anticipated “mAlice in Wonderland Haunt.” Picture this: a haunted house based on the whimsical yet eerie world of Alice in Wonderland. Although the line was long, just the anticipation of what awaited inside was enough to get our hearts racing.

Next, we had our sights set on the “Open Body Boo-fet,” which sounded like a deliciously creepy feast. Unfortunately, the line was longer than the queue for a Black Friday sale. So at that, we had to abandon ship. Instead of waiting for what felt like an eternity, we decided to embrace our hunger, we opted for the classic Kennywood experience: potato patch fries. As we munched on those perfectly crispy, cheese-smothered fries, I couldn’t help but think—this was exactly what we needed. Who needs a fancy buffet when you've got the ultimate comfort food in hand? As we devoured our snack, I mused about how some things never change—like the joy of savoring those fries while surrounded by the sounds of laughter and the whirring of roller coasters.

After our fry feast, we ventured into the cocktail scene—because what’s an Over 21 Night without some adult beverages? One drink that caught my eye was the infamous “Blood Bag.” Yes, you read that right—a giant Jell-O shot served in a blood bag! It was equal parts hilarious and delicious, and I felt like a vampire as I sipped from it. Adam and I exchanged amused glances, both wondering if we were too old for Jell-O shots—spoiler alert: we definitely weren’t.

As the night progressed, we made our way through Steelers Country, which was open until midnight for voucher holders. This area was buzzing with energy! We jumped into the foam party, where we were greeted by a cascade of bubbles. Picture two adults trying to dance in foam while not slipping and falling—it was a comedy show waiting to happen! Adam and I laughed so hard that I’m pretty sure we burned off those potato patch fries in no time.

In addition to the foam party, we enjoyed a dance party, games, and a beer and wine tasting cocktail bar. It was like an adult playground, and we were here for it! The thrill didn’t stop there; we also made time for rides. We braved the Aero 360, soared on the Sky Rocket, enjoyed a nostalgic ride on the Old Mill, raced each other on the Racers, and relived our childhood memories on the Kangaroo. But the cherry on top was our favorite—the Jack Rabbit! The rush of that classic coaster’s double dip brought back all the feels, and we screamed (and laughed) our way through the twists and turns.

As we left the park that night, I couldn’t help but reflect on what a fantastic experience it was. Kennywood’s first Over 21 Night was a delightful blend of nostalgia, excitement, and a splash of Halloween fun. Adam and I had a blast reminiscing about our childhood while creating new memories together. Who knew that our childhood amusement park could still hold so much magic, even as adults? I think I can confidently say we’ll be back for more—after all, there are plenty more potato patch fries to devour and cocktails to sip. Here’s to more adventures at Kennywood—because whether you’re a kid or an adult, the magic of this place never truly fades!

Do you have a favorite childhood amusement park?? Let’s chat about it in the comments below!

Xx, Bree

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📣 Take Me Out to the Ball Game! 🎵

Last Saturday was a day of firsts for me! As a lifelong Pittsburgher, stepping into PNC Park for the first time was a moment I'll never forget. But here's the twist – my loyalty wasn't with the home team. Nope, I was proudly donning my Cubs gear. As a proud Pittsburgher, it might come as a surprise to my local readers that I was rooting for the Cubs. But there's a sentimental reason behind it that connects me to the team.

You see, my dear grandfather was a man of dreams and steel. Back in the day, he teetered on the precipice of becoming a bona fide pitcher for those illustrious Cubs. But life had other plans for him, nudging him toward a different career path at J&L Steel. Talk about a curveball! However, his love for the game never wavered, and his stories of near-glory on the pitching mound ignited a fire within me, starting an unconventional allegiance to the Cubs. So, there I was, a proud Pittsburgher, sporting my Cubs cap and ready to shout from the rooftops, "Go Cubs, go!" Being at the game, I felt a connection to him and his unwavering spirit.

To make the outing even more special, it was a double date with one of my best friends, her boyfriend, and my fiancé, Adam. We were all eager to soak in the atmosphere of the ball game and create lasting memories together. The excitement in the air was palpable as we entered the stadium, the anticipation building with every step.

As we settled into our seats, the stadium pulsated with an electric energy, infused with the fervor and enthusiasm of ardent fans. The ambiance was alive with the harmonious symphony of cheers, chants, and the collective heartbeat of the crowd. The resonant crack of the bat, the soul-stirring roar of the spectators, and the tantalizing aroma of freshly popped popcorn permeated the air, forming a delightful sensory overload that I will never forget.

Throughout the game, we cheered, laughed, and bonded over our shared love for the sport. It was a perfect blend of camaraderie and friendly rivalry, with fans from both sides engaging in good-natured banter. The innings ticked by, each one bringing a new wave of excitement and anticipation.

As the game reached its climax, tensions ran high. The Pirates and the Cubs battled fiercely, each team vying for victory. Every play, every pitch, held us in suspense, and we couldn't help but get caught up in the drama unfolding before our eyes.

In the end, even though the Cubs didn't clinch the win that night, the memories we made will last a lifetime. And beyond the final score, what truly mattered was the experience itself. The joy of being surrounded by friends, loved ones, and fellow baseball enthusiasts created a sense of belonging and community that transcended the game itself.

From the crack of the bat to the roar of the crowd, every moment felt like a piece of history unfolding before my eyes. Attending my first baseball game was a milestone in my life, a cherished memory that I will carry with me forever. It reminded me of the power of sports to bring people together, to unite us in a shared passion and create bonds that defy boundaries.

Sharing this experience with my fiancé Adam, and our friends on a double date, made it even more special. There's something about the camaraderie of a ball game that brings people together, regardless of the team they're rooting for.

So here's to the magic of baseball, to the thrill of the game, and to the treasured moments spent with loved ones. Take me out to the ball game, indeed!

What’s your favorite pastime? And any particular team you root for? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!!

Xx, Bree

Hollywood Cafe: St. Paddy's Day Celebration

For anyone who doesn't like in the 'Burgh, you may not know that St. Patrick's Day is a huge deal for us Pittsburghers. Every year, we actually have a "St. Patrick's Day Week" which is filled with various celebrations, parties, parades, and admittedly a ton of alcohol, personally, I think the holiday is an absolute blast. As I've mentioned here before, my heritage is predominately Russian, but I actually do have a little touch of Irish in my family tree too, so any reason to celebrate, right? With that being said, in celebration of the holiday, last Friday I decided not to venture out into the city, but instead headed to where I was born and raised, and celebrated at a little hole in the wall pub in Beaver County.

Beaver County?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the area, Beaver County is made up of a bunch of old mill towns, the most prominent ones being Aliquippa, Monaca, and Ambridge, the last one being where I am from. And though these towns do seem a bit run down and not much to look at, in recent years the cities, Ambridge specifically, have been working hard on a gentrification project, to bring life and culture back into the town, and I have to say thus far, the community has done a knock out at bringing back businesses, specifically restaurants. Though I may be biased because I am from this area, I have to say the some of my absolute favorite pubs and eateries are in Ambridge, and one of them being Hollywood Cafe.

Hollywood Cafe

That little hole in the wall pub I mentioned earlier? Yep this is the one. Hollywood Cafe is hands down one of my favorite places to eat as well as to just stop by on my way home from to unwind after a fraught day at work. And though I do not remember the first place Hollywood Cafe called home, my mum does and that was no other than the main street of Aliquippa, back in the 1930s. 

Though Hollywood Cafe moved from Aliquippa to Ambridge back in the mid 2000's for location and spacing reasons, the interior, recipes, and ownership are all still the same. Though the original owner has since gotten out of the restaurant biz, his son, Chip, has kept the family business booming for the past 8 years after the move from Aliquippa. The place itself is laid out and much how you would expect a mum and pop type bar to be, but the thing that makes Hollywood Cafe stand out is their absolutely excellent food.

Though Hollywood's menu is small compared to other places in the Pittsburgh area, they still have quite the variety. From appetizers and pizza, to burgers and salads, it's a guarantee that you'll find at least one thing you'll love, and in my case, my absolute favorite thing on their menu is actually what they are most known for, and that is their wings. However, since this isn't a restaurant review and I am far from being a foodie, just take my word for it, and give them a try for yourself! Hollywood is open 12PM-2AM (Food is served from 3PM-12AM) 7 days a week and is located at 2917 Duss Ave, Ambridge, PA 15003.

The Green Scene

And of course since this was a party type occasion, I took the opportunity to dress up in one of my favorite dresses from the Pittsburgh local boutique, Terry Jolo. The reason I chose this swing dress for the occasion, was due to it's festive green pockets as well as its laid back look. To style this look, I simply paired it with some simple opal earrings along with my green and navy, plaid flats.

Sláinte! 

And last but not least, here are a few of my favorite outtakes from Hollywood Cafe's St. Patrick's Day Celebration!

Though I am not normally one to drink beer, I did have to get in on the fun for this party.

Patron at the St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Hollywood Cafe also was all dressed up in green to celebrate the big day.

Patrons playing pool during the party.

Bartender, Niece, went all out for the affair.

One Last Look

Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? If so how did you spend it this year? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Love my dress? Be sure to check out my article on Terry Jolo Brand here, and be sure to visit Terry's website here!
 

And lastly, remember if you wanna check out Hollywood Cafe for yourself, their hours are 12PM-2AM (With food being served from 3PM-12AM) and they are located at 2917 Duss Ave, Ambridge, PA 15003. Later babes!

Xx, Bree