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Hersheypark in Pennsylvania could be forced to close this summer

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Hersheypark in Pennsylvania could be forced to close this summer


Hersheypark in Pennsylvaniacould be forced to close this summer amid a dispute between the site’s operators and union employees, according to a report. ​

The amusement park is scheduled to open seven days a week starting May 21 in a shift from its weekend-only operation before the summer, despite a looming vote among employees about whether to go on strike. ​

Over 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey and Giant Center rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to Inside the Magic. The park’s operators described the proposal as their “last, best and final” offer.​

Over a three-day period this week, employees will vote on whether to strike after rejecting the offer, which is the third from the park’s operators. A strike could close the park just in time for the start of the busy summer season when families head on vacation.

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Hersheypark could be forced to close over the summer amid a dispute between the park’s operators and union maintenance workers
Hersheypark could be forced to close over the summer amid a dispute between the park’s operators and union maintenance workers (Getty/iStock)

​The list of employees considering going on strike includes ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, utilities technicians, carpenters, garage auto mechanics and sign artists. ​

In mid-March, the union and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts agreed to extend a former contract for 60 days to allow for continued negotiations. ​

According to Inside the Magic, union workers are seeking fair wage increases, more affordable care plans and higher pay premiums for less-desirable shifts. The union has also said that it will reject new contract offers that lower professional standards, devalue skilled trades or open the door to lower wages in maintenance roles in the future. ​

The Independent has contacted Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for comment about the possible strike.

Hersheypark, located 15 miles east of Harrisburg, is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the 121-acre site boasts more than 70 rides, a water park with 17 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park, according to Hersheypark’s website. ​

It’s named for and themed in conjunction with the popular candy company.

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Over 200 workers rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to a report
Over 200 workers rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to a report (Getty)

However, a different park in the Keystone State was named as the top amusement park in the U.S. on TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best list. ​

It was Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, 42 miles north-northeast of Harrisburg, that topped the list. In doing so, the little-known park was ranked higher than Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure that also made the top 5. ​

“It’s got it all: roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit.”​

Knoebels is the U.S.’s largest free-admission park, although tickets for individual rides cost a fee. ​



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Pennsylvania

Governor Josh Shapiro signs overdue Pennsylvania state budget with bipartisan support

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Governor Josh Shapiro signs overdue Pennsylvania state budget with bipartisan support


HARRISBURG, Pa. (WPVI) — Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed the state’s overdue 2026-2027 budget on Sunday.

The $50.8 billion spending plan was passed by state lawmakers with bipartisan support.

It is smaller than Shapiro’s initial $53 billion plan proposed back in February.

“We managed, as the math indicates, to find compromise without compromising our core values,” said Shapiro. “If you go back and look at the goals we all set together way back in 2023 – funding our schools, making our communities safer, growing our economy….four years later, this budget reflects those continued priorities.”

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Lawmakers say this spending plan expands workforce development initiatives, devotes significant new funding for basic education, and increases funding for special education and early intervention services.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Gov. Shapiro signs $50.8B Pa. budget with focus on education, public safety

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Gov. Shapiro signs .8B Pa. budget with focus on education, public safety


PENNSYLVANIA (WFMZ-TV) — Governor Josh Shapiro signed Pennsylvania’s $50.8 billion budget into law Sunday.

The largest part– $11.8 billion funding education. It also funds four more State Police classes. The budget comes with an additional $10 million for career and technical education.

“If you go back and look at the goals we all set together way back in 2023– funding our schools, making our communities safer, growing our economy, and four years later this budget reflects those continued priorities,” said Governor Shapiro.

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Republican State Senator Jarrett Coleman said he voted against the budget.

“The issue with the budget is that this wasn’t a really honest budget. This was pretty deceptive,” said Senator Coleman.

One thing in particular he said he is against– delays in $2.6 billion in Medicaid payments to managed care providers to the next fiscal year.

“So, that’s disappointing and I don’t really care to play that game. I think Pennsylvanians deserve to have an honest conversation and make no mistake; tax payers will ultimately pay the price for this charade,” said Senator Coleman.

Democratic State Rep. Mike Schlossberg said he is happy with this budget.

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“I think by and large it was an extremely solid product,” said Representative Schlossberg.

This marks the fifth year in a row the budget was not passed by the June 30th deadline. The signing of this one comes months ahead of when last year’s budget was approved.

“I think some lessons were learned. I think everybody realized we cannot do last year, we cannot do again what we did last year and also candidly election coming up in a few months, nobody wants to leave it hanging out there,” said Representative Schlossberg.



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3 dead in wrong-way crash on I-76 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, state police say

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3 dead in wrong-way crash on I-76 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, state police say


Three people died in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 76 in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Saturday morning, Pennsylvania State Police said. 

The crash happened just before 5 a.m. Saturday on I-76 westbound near mile marker 330, according to state police.

State police said a white Ford pickup truck was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-76 Saturday morning. 

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Troopers attempted to stop the truck twice, but the Ford pickup drove past them at a high rate of speed. 

The driver of the Ford then struck two vehicles head-on. According to state police, the occupants of the three vehicles involved in the crash died.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police.



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