The New Bites & Pints Food Festival at Kennywood

A taste of the world is coming to Kennywood Park on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in June.

by Janet Jonus Image by L Petrilla Kennywood Park

Kennywood Park is debuting the Bites & Pints Festival this year. Head on out to Kennywood to sample delicacies from around the world paired with unique specialty drinks, beers, and wines. The chef-inspired food features dishes from Italy, China, Germany, Japan, the Caribbean, France, and Mexico. Wander over the the Lagoon Stage and enjoy your food and drink while listening to the live entertainment.

Kennywood worked with local chef Brian Pekarcik from Spoon and BRGR to develop the menu and drink pairings. “Chef Pekarcik developed a dynamic menu celebrating cuisines of various cultures that will pair perfectly with a day of fun,” said Mark Pauls, Kennywood Park’s new(ish) General Manager.

If you are familiar with EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival, Bites & Pints is a Pittsburgher’s smaller version. Food is served up as “small plates” so you can try out different flavors from different countries.

Guests can try three specialties at Italy – Greens and Beans for $4.99, Whipped Fresh Ricotta Cheese for $3.99, and a Porchatta Sandwich for $7.99. Beverages include a Bellini, a Hard Seltzer, and three wines. You can also have a Dark Caramel Sea Salt Candy Bar for dessert for $3.25.

The China stand will be offering Crispy Pot Stickers for $3.99, Pork Bao Buns for $4.99, and Scallion Pancakes for $3.99. There are two Beer pairings to taste too.

Japan will have a Soba Noodle Salad for $3.99, Chicken Karage for $4.99, and Beef Yakitori for $5.99. Chef Perkarcik has paired two Beers and a Wine with the food.

Flavorful Caribbean specialties include Shrimp Skewers for $6.99, Beef Empanadas for $4.99, and Jamaican Jerk Chicken for $4.99. Adults can get a Hurricane or a Pineapple-Coconut Seltzer Splash or a Beer.

If you like German food, you can eat Pretzel Sticks with a Cheese Dip for $3.99, Spaetzle with Beef Stew for $4.99, and Grilled Bratwurst for $4.99. You can also get Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods for $3.25 for dessert. Drink pairings include a Hopped Cider, a Wine, and two Beers.

Mexican food features Grilled Elote (street corn) for $3.99, Carne Asada for $4.99, and Al Pastor (pork belly) for $4.99. Available beverages are a Frozen Margarita, a Mojito, and two Beers.

The French stand has Sweet (Nutella) Crepes for $4.99, Cassoulet for $7.99, and a Croque Monsieur for $5.99. You can also try out the Nutella stuffed pretzel twist for dessert for $3.25. The Beverage Parings are a Fruit Slushi, a Beer, and two Wines.

Kennywood is offering a Bites & Pints Bite Card Passport. For $39.99 you can try out eight Bites or Pints (sample drink sizes are smaller than the purchased drinks). For $48.99 you can try out twelve Bites or Pints.

The Bites & Pints Festival runs through the end of June. The Festival tastings are open on Fridays from 400-900PM, Saturdays 100-900PM, and Sundays 100-700PM.

Bites & Pints also features Live entertainment on the Lagoon Stage every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The line-up can be found here: https://www.kennywood.com/sites/kennywood.com/files/Bites%20and%20Pints%20Food%20%26%20Drink%20Festival%20-%20%202021%20Entertainment.pdf

The Bites & Pints Festival is included in admission to Kennywood Park.

The Basics

Kennywood is open Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1030AM-700PM. It is open Saturdays and Sundays from 1030AM- 900PM. Kennywood is closed on Tuesdays and on June 7 and 14. It is open on Weekends Only starting on august 21st through September.

Kennywood is following CDC Guidelines. Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals.

Kennywood has a new Chaperone Policy. Guests under 17 MUST have a guest over the age of 21 after 400PM.

Tickets to Kennywood are $49.99 for weekdays and $54.99 ln weekends for guests taller than 46″. Tickets for guests under 46″ are $32.99 for weekdays and $34.99 for weekends. Senior tickets are $24.99 on all days. There are numerous discounts here: https://www.kennywood.com/discounts Kennywood also has Season Passes from $85.99 to $169.99. More information can be found here: https://www.kennywood.com/season-passes

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