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Brian Butko, left, and Rick Sebak outside of Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville.
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A celebration takes a look back at Luna Park

Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette

A celebration takes a look back at Luna Park

#StepRightUp: There were no babies in incubators or live animal acts but a carnival atmosphere in front of the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville Friday night was part of a celebration for historian Brian Butko’s new tome: “Luna: Pittsburgh’s Original Lost Kennywood,” The event in conjunction with the Heinz History Center featured a tarot card reader, cotton candy, a flame throwing juggler, Isaly’s ice cream and a lecture by the author with Rick Sebak and Kennywood insider Andy Quinn. A book signing and post program party continued into the evening. One of Luna’s attractions was babies in incubators and sometimes deadly animal acts. It was Frederick Ingersoll, the roller coaster inventor and the builder of Kennywood’s early rides, who created Luna Park. “It was actually built on the very reclusive Annie Aspinwall’s estate lands in north Oakland,” said Mr. Butko. The park only lasted from 1905 to 1909. “It was really Forbes Field that killed it.”

“I am pretty overwhelmed to see all these people here for me,” acknowledged Mr. Butko, as they mingled outside and in the Bierport attached to the cinema. Among the fans were some of the artists who helped illustrate the book, including Kathy Rooney Marcel Walker, History Center director Andy Masich, Row House Cinema owner Brian Mendelssohn and Natalie Butko, the author’s daughter.

First Published: July 24, 2017, 4:00 a.m.

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Brian Butko, left, and Rick Sebak outside of Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville.  (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Bob Spisak juggles with fire  (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Andy Quinn.  (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Marcel Walker, left, and Brian Mendelssohn.  (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Ann Kelly, left, sprinkles lime crystals onto cherry cotton candy held by Hillary Lias at their Spun Sugars booth.  (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Andrew Masich and Kathy Rooney.  (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Natalie Butko laughs as she dons her ballon hat made by Mike Evans, also known as "Mike the Balloon Guy."  (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Author Brian Butko talks with attendees at his book signing event at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville.  (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette
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