5 Hersheypark Rides Celebrate Anniversaries in 2025

Date: May 13, 2025

During its 119th operating year in 2025, Hersheypark amusement park will celebrate milestone anniversaries of five of its family-friendly rides and thrilling roller coasters. Read on to learn about 50 years of Kissing Tower and Twin Turnpike, 25 years of Lightning Racer, 10 years of Laff Trakk and 5 years since the historic Hershey’s Chocolatetown expansion with Candymonium hyper coaster.

50 Years of Kissing Tower

An iconic landmark and the tallest point in The Sweetest Place On Earth, Kissing Tower opened 50 years ago in the former “Minetown” region of Hersheypark with an official dedication ceremony on May 18, 1975. In 2014, the region was renamed to Kissing Tower Hill after the popular attraction.

Guests of all height categories from Hershey's Miniatures to Jolly Rancher board an enclosed circular gondola and sit on benches as they ascend high above Hersheypark while learning about the history of the town rooted in chocolate. The gentle cabin ride offers panoramic views of the 121-acre amusement park and downtown Hershey, Pa., from up to 250 feet in the air through Hershey's Kisses-shaped windows. 

Kissing Tower is open for all four seasons at Hersheypark, weather permitting. During Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, the family-friendly attraction provides a sweet aerial view of the more than 5 million lights decking the amusement park. Plus, a lighted Christmas tree is placed atop the Kissing Tower to add to the merry and bright ambiance. Throughout the holiday season, guests can also see a Kissing Tower light display at Hershey Sweet Lights drive-through holiday light attraction. 

Fun fact: there is a replica Kissing Tower in the center of Hersheypark Supply Co., a 10,000-square-foot flagship store located in the Hershey's Chocolatetown region.

50 Years of Turnpike

Beep, beep! Twin Turnpike presented by Sunoco turns 50 this year! The mid-thrill ride opened to the public on May 18, 1975, according to the Times Tribune. 

Guests of all Hershey’s height categories can choose from two tracks - Classic Cars with antique autos or Speedway with sports cars. Both tracks are open for all four seasons, weather permitting, in the Kissing Tower Hill region of Hersheypark. The ride envelope is specially decorated for Hersheypark Halloween and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane.

25 Years of Lightning Racer

This year marks a quarter of a century since the race between thunder and lightning began in Hershey, Pa. On May, 13, 2000, Lightning Racer opened in the Midway America region at Hersheypark as the first racing, dueling wooden coaster in the United States.

The double-track coaster built by Great Coasters International (GCI) features two staggered lifts along 3,400 feet of track on each side. This unique ride element creates a thrilling level of competition for riders of Hershey's height category (48-54") and above.

Throughout the 1-minute, 20-second ride, Lightning Racer reaches a height of 90 feet and a maximum speed of 50 mph. Although you see lightning before you hear thunder, the winner of Lightning Racer is primarily based on the weight of each Millenium Flyer train.

Lightning Racer is open during spring weekends, summer and Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Lightning Racer was profiled in a behind-the-scenes off-season maintenance feature story. 

10 Years of Laff Trakk

Laff Trakk opened on May 23, 2015, as the first indoor, spinning, glow-coaster in the United States. The family-friendly house of laughs spins riders of Reese’s height category (42-48”) and above through an exciting adventure of sights and sounds during the 1-minute, 10-second ride. 

Those brave enough to conquer the fun house of the 21st century will catch a glimpse of colorful characters, a dizzying hall of mirrors and more. Laff Trakk reaches a maximum height of 51 feet and a maximum speed of 40 mph. 

Given its indoor location, Laff Trakk is open for all four seasons at Hersheypark. During Hersheypark Halloween and Dark Nights, the lights are turned off inside Laff Trakk for a completely unique and thrilling experience. For the holidays, riders will find the indoor coaster decorated with a large Christmas tree in the center.

5 Years of Candymonium

It’s hard to believe that 2025 marks five years since Hersheypark unlocked an all-new chapter Where Fun Meets Chocolate with the opening of its $150 million Hershey’s Chocolatetown region. The 23-acre development celebrates the life and legacy of Milton S. Hershey by bringing people together for happiness, fun and, of course, chocolate. 

Over the last five years, guests entering Hersheypark have been welcomed by the sound of Hersheypark Happy screams from riders on Candymonium, a hyper coaster that opened on July 3, 2020, as the tallest, fastest, longest and sweetest coaster at the amusement park. The one-of-a-kind Bolliger & Mabillard attraction features a 4,636-foot milk chocolate track spanning seven acres in Hershey's Chocolatetown. 

Riders of Twizzlers height category (54-60”) and above embark on a heart-pounding, 210-foot ascent up the tallest hill in Hersheypark, then dip into thrilling drops reaching a max speed of 76 mph. Seven camelback hills and a 123-degree hammerhead curve serve up the ultimate feeling of freedom with a ton of airtime. The finishing touch is an impressive panoramic banked curve that wraps around the iconic Kisses Fountain. The World’s Sweetest Coaster merges fun and iconic Hershey brands to provide a thrilling roller coaster experience only found in The Sweetest Place On Earth.

Celebrate at Hersheypark

During your visit to Hersheypark, why not grab some special anniversary swag to mark the occasion? Now available in Hersheypark Supply Co. and Coaster Collectibles, you can find unique anniversary designs celebrating Kissing Tower and Lightning Racer. Select anniversary items, along with other great Hersheypark merchandise, can be found on our online store.

Now is the perfect time to plan a visit to Hersheypark and take a ride on these attractions during their anniversary year. In addition to tickets and Season Passes, guests can also purchase a Summer Fun Card, which includes unlimited Summer visits through September 7 for just $99 per person.

We can’t wait to celebrate these sweet birthdays in 2025 - we’ll see you soon at The Sweetest Place On Earth!