An unprecedented wave of wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada has caused widespread disruption at amusement parks across the United States, forcing several parks to close entirely while others reduced operations or cancelled entertainment.
The smoke, which spread across much of the Great Lakes, Midwest and Northeast, created hazardous air quality conditions that prompted operators to make difficult decisions in the interest of guest and employee safety. The disruptions come as hundreds of wildfires continue to burn across Canada, sending smoke thousands of kilometres across North America.
Kennywood Among Parks Forced to Close
One of the hardest-hit parks was Kennywood near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After closing early on Thursday as conditions worsened, the historic amusement park remained closed throughout Friday due to hazardous air quality before reopening at noon on Saturday as conditions improved.
Kennywood was not alone. Other Pennsylvania attractions, including Idlewild & SoakZone, Dutch Wonderland, Sandcastle, Waldameer & Water World and DelGrosso’s Park, also suspended operations during the height of the smoke event.
In Illinois, Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor Chicago also temporarily closed after the Chicago area experienced some of the worst air quality levels in the world. More than 100 million Americans were affected by air quality alerts as smoke spread across multiple states.
Cedar Point Remained Open
Despite speculation online, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, did not fully close because of the wildfire smoke.
Instead, the park adjusted its operations as air quality deteriorated. On Thursday, Cedar Point announced an early closure, while on Friday several outdoor entertainment offerings, including Boardwalk Nights performances, were cancelled due to the poor air quality. Roller coasters, restaurants and the majority of attractions continued operating, although guests reported unusually quiet midways and limited visibility across the park.
Visitors described the smoke as some of the worst they had ever experienced at the Lake Erie resort, with landmarks across the park disappearing into the haze.
Sporting Events Also Affected
The impact extended well beyond the amusement industry. Major League Baseball postponed the scheduled game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians after air quality in Cleveland reached “very unhealthy” levels. Other professional sporting events across the region also adjusted schedules because of the smoke.
A New Operational Challenge for Theme Parks
Theme parks have long been accustomed to managing thunderstorms, extreme heat and high winds, but wildfire smoke is becoming an increasingly significant operational concern. As Canadian wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense, parks across North America are facing a new type of weather-related disruption that can affect guest health even when skies appear only slightly hazy.
This week’s closures and operational changes demonstrate how environmental events occurring hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away can now have a direct impact on daily park operations. While some destinations, such as Kennywood and Six Flags Great America, chose to close entirely, others like Cedar Point opted to remain open while reducing certain outdoor offerings and closely monitoring conditions as the smoke continued to move across the region.
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