Idlewild and SoakZone are back in time for Memorial Day. This weekend marks the start of the 149th season for the third-oldest operating theme park in America.“We’re adding a lot of little touches that make a big difference to the families that visit,” Idlewild spokesman Jeff Croushore said. “We’re proud to honor military members over Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, all active-duty veterans and retirees get free admission to the park when they visit, as well as discounted entry for family and friends.”Opening day is also 1-4-3 day in the state of Pennsylvania. It celebrates the legacy of Fred Rogers. To commemorate that, we will have special meet and greets with Daniel Tiger and a lot of his neighborhood friends.”All of the rides, attractions, and Daniel Tiger and friends are back for another summer. However, some classics are getting a new spin.The former “Tilt-a-Whirl” has been rebranded as the “Tilt-n-Twister.” A new pirate-themed food stand called Parrot’s Perch is coming soon to SoakZone. New sweet and savory waffle combinations are coming as well.On top of that, fun that will be had later this year is starting early in June.“We kick off with a new event featuring Spookly, the square pumpkin, in June,” Croushore said. “We’ll have pumpkin planting with the kids, story time, and a square dance time with the square pumpkin. All of these new features are coming under the first full season of new ownership with Herschend Family Entertainment. “They focus on family experiences,” Croushore said. “That aligns with what Idlewild and Soak Zone has been about for nearly 150 years.”Those with the oldest theme park in Pennsylvania knew those experiences had to align with America’s 250 celebration. “We’ll be having special story times with patriotic themes,” the Marketing Director said. “We’ll have red, white, and blue foam parties for kids of all ages. We will celebrate America 250 for a couple weekends in June and July. Then, we’ll roll into our kids’ fest, our neighbor days, and our longest Hallowboo season ever. Hallowboo is a fun event for kids, and it’s grown to be very popular. The last two years, we’ve set attendance records for that event.” Whether it’s Daniel Tiger and his friends that bring the families back, or the new takes on classic features, Idlewild remains timeless in Ligonier Township. “Altogether, it’s just a very unique experience to the families who visit from Western Pennsylvania and beyond,” Croushore said. “Families come here year after year. It becomes a tradition with them. The grandparents bring the parents, and the parents bring the grandkids. It’s a generational park. Generation after generation has come to visit Idlewild and create those special family memories.”For all information about Idlewild and SoakZone’s 2026 slate, click here.

LIGONIER, Pa. —

Idlewild and SoakZone are back in time for Memorial Day. This weekend marks the start of the 149th season for the third-oldest operating theme park in America.

“We’re adding a lot of little touches that make a big difference to the families that visit,” Idlewild spokesman Jeff Croushore said. “We’re proud to honor military members over Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, all active-duty veterans and retirees get free admission to the park when they visit, as well as discounted entry for family and friends.

“Opening day is also 1-4-3 day in the state of Pennsylvania. It celebrates the legacy of Fred Rogers. To commemorate that, we will have special meet and greets with Daniel Tiger and a lot of his neighborhood friends.”

All of the rides, attractions, and Daniel Tiger and friends are back for another summer. However, some classics are getting a new spin.

The former “Tilt-a-Whirl” has been rebranded as the “Tilt-n-Twister.”

A new pirate-themed food stand called Parrot’s Perch is coming soon to SoakZone. New sweet and savory waffle combinations are coming as well.

On top of that, fun that will be had later this year is starting early in June.

“We kick off with a new event featuring Spookly, the square pumpkin, in June,” Croushore said. “We’ll have pumpkin planting with the kids, story time, and a square dance time with the square pumpkin.

All of these new features are coming under the first full season of new ownership with Herschend Family Entertainment.

“They focus on family experiences,” Croushore said. “That aligns with what Idlewild and Soak Zone has been about for nearly 150 years.”

Those with the oldest theme park in Pennsylvania knew those experiences had to align with America’s 250 celebration.

“We’ll be having special story times with patriotic themes,” the Marketing Director said. “We’ll have red, white, and blue foam parties for kids of all ages. We will celebrate America 250 for a couple weekends in June and July. Then, we’ll roll into our kids’ fest, our neighbor days, and our longest Hallowboo season ever. Hallowboo is a fun event for kids, and it’s grown to be very popular. The last two years, we’ve set attendance records for that event.”

Whether it’s Daniel Tiger and his friends that bring the families back, or the new takes on classic features, Idlewild remains timeless in Ligonier Township.

“Altogether, it’s just a very unique experience to the families who visit from Western Pennsylvania and beyond,” Croushore said. “Families come here year after year. It becomes a tradition with them. The grandparents bring the parents, and the parents bring the grandkids. It’s a generational park. Generation after generation has come to visit Idlewild and create those special family memories.”

For all information about Idlewild and SoakZone’s 2026 slate, click here.