Slide the City Pittsburgh sells out in South Park
For Devon Danka, 14, and Suzy Kunst, 12, their 30-second slide down the 1,000-foot water slide at the Sunny Slopes area of South Park was fun and too short.
“But it was really fun,” said both girls, who reside in Natrona Heights.
The quick ride did not seem to deter the 5,000 people who waited in line for an hour or more June 6 and 7 to ride the massive water slide, which is as long as three football fields. They also didn’t seem bothered by the time it took to find a parking place, or to shell out $15 for a single ride $30 for three rides, or $50 for unlimited rides for a chance to ride an inflatable tube down the slide.
There was also a lane where parents could go down the slide with their children.
“I lived in Texas in October, and we were talking about the slide even then,” said Devon’s mother, Tracey Danka, who enjoyed the slide, too. “How can you not do this with your kids?’
When not lining up for a turn at the slide, many of the sliders simply sat on towels and lawn chairs and enjoyed the day. There was music and food, including pulled pork sandwiches, shaved ice, pizza, egg rolls, hit dogs and ice cream.
The sold-out event attracted non sliders, too.
Mike and Anita Doyle live within walking distance of the slide. They said people were already lined up three hours before they were allowed to slide. They said they would not miss the opportunity to people watch.
“This is pretty cool,” Mike Doyle said.
“It’s a great idea,” added Anita Doyle.
The next two Slide the City events, which are taking place all over the country, are scheduled for June 13 in Baltimore and June 14 in South Berd, Ind. Organizers said they hope to return to Pittsburgh next year.