The three rivers will be the backdrop for thousands of people flocking to big events in Pittsburgh this weekend — from big-name concerts to holiday fireworks.
“It's incredible. It always is,” boater Jim Roemer said. “I love it. I mean, look at our back yard. A lot of people in Pittsburgh take it for granted, though, until you're down on the water and then you really appreciate it.”
From Thursday through July 7, the action will be on, near or above the city's Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers.
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center, where Anthrocon — the convention of the “furries” — is being held through Sunday, looks out over the Allegheny River. Billy Joel and Kenny Chesney will perform Friday and Saturday at PNC Park and Heinz Field, respectively. Both venues overlook the water. And fireworks will light the sky at Point State Park on Monday night.
“Twenty years ago, it would have been hard to believe,” said boater Ronald Gdovic, 55, of Harrison City. His boat, the Sea Vu Play, has been docked along the North Shore for two weeks in anticipation of the Chesney concert and the Fourth of July fireworks.
He said he is “thrilled” with the riverfronts because development has opened options to boaters that did not exist 20 years ago.
The annual Pittsburgh Regatta “was really the main event for boaters,” he said. “There were very few destinations, but now you have the river trails, you have this fountain down here with people swimming, all that didn't really exist before. This just demonstrates that kind of commitment to a fun lifestyle that I think people like.”
Jim Roemer, 47, and his wife, Lisa, 49, of Reserve have been docked at the North Shore since Memorial Day. They came for the Chesney concert but plan on staying for the July 4 activities.
“I love his music, I love the way he reaches out to people. He seems like a regular guy,” Lisa Roemer said.
Katie O'Malley, a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill Peduto, said the city expects “a lot of visitors, city residents and also people coming into the city to visit and celebrate.”
“We welcome that and hope everybody has a great time,” she said.
A few water-related businesses hope to benefit from the crowds.
Just Ducky Tours added a tour each day from Friday to Sunday because of the expected increased holiday traffic, and the Gateway Clipper Fleet will offer $1 boat rides for children 12 and younger on the Good Ship Lollipop or on a one-hour evening sightseeing cruise Saturday to Monday. Kayak Pittsburgh will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 4 and will run a special, guided kayak trip during the fireworks, which are scheduled for 9:36 p.m. Monday.
Just Ducky Tours general manager Christina Robertson said the holiday weekend is an exciting time for her business.
“It's funny because the holidays to us mean working longer hours than normal, but because the people are excited for the tours, it just makes us excited,” she said.
Commercial water travel is not likely to be affected by the revelry, said Michael Brinza, transportation analyst with the Port of Pittsburgh Commission. He said barge lines normally are informed of events in advance so they can plan their trips accordingly.
“They would be well aware of these things, especially things that happen every year and around the same time,” he said.
The almost-annual Chesney shows, which attract about 50,000 fans, have posed issues in Pittsburgh before, but O'Malley said the city has “staffed up appropriately.”
In 2013, Chesney concertgoers left North Shore parking lots buried under 30 tons of garbage. Police arrested more than 70 people and paramedics treated about 150 people for mostly alcohol- and heat-related illnesses and injuries.
In 2014, only 10 people were arrested and 25 people were cited — 17 for underage drinking. Officials opened the parking lots only four hours before the show and plan to do the same on Saturday. Lots will open at 1 p.m.
Chesney fans are encouraged to park at public lots, a news release from Heinz Field said. Fans who park Downtown can use the North Shore Connector to get to the stadium.
Madasyn Czebiniak is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Staff writers Phillip Poupore and Michael Walton contributed.
