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Busy Regatta Weekend Promises Powerboats, Music, Food, Fun And Fireworks

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Downtown Pittsburgh is going to be packed this weekend as the Three Rivers Regatta gets underway and the Pittsburgh Pirates come back to town.

There's a little something for everyone – baseball, powerboat races, music, food, and, of course, fireworks.

The Regatta has returned to August after conditions forced last year's river activates to be canceled in July. Organizers say they want "no debris in the river."

So the boats that we've enjoyed racing and echoing offing the downtown buildings for years are making their way into town for some warm-ups on Friday ahead of the races.

"Saturday is a full day of the F1s, which is 160 mile an hour vessel and the F-Lights, which go 120 miles an hour," said Three Rivers Regatta Board Chairman John Bonassi.

The finals will come on Sunday. Also on the river Friday will be the dragon boats and kayak races; and on Saturday, the Anything That Floats race moves to early afternoon to draw a bigger crowd.

"We're looking at 12 to 14, call them vessels, because we can't call them boats because most of them don't float," says Bonassi.

The Regatta will make sure Pirates fans on the Gateway Clipper Fleet can get to PNC Park for the games all weekend with the Cincinnati Reds.

Big crowds are expected on the North Shore as well.

"There is a demand for the Pirates; we expect big crowds all weekend," says Ralph Reetz, of Alco Parking.

So, except for the lot behind Burgatory, the North Shore lots between the stadiums won't open until four hours before game time.

The Regatta suggests you park downtown.

There certainly won't be a shortage of entertainment, music from the main stage, and the Kids Zone where the beach has been moved this year to the Mon side of the park in the shadow of the Fort Pitt Bridge.

"We have face painting, we have crafts, entertainment, as well as on the North Shore, we have Pogo Xtreme over there, the BMX activities," Bonassi says.

There's also the huge Ferris Wheel in Point State Park.

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(Photo Credit: KDKA)
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(Photo Credit: KDKA)

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The sand sculpture folks are back for their sixth year.

"We have these fans who stop by from the minute the sand is dumped to the minute we put down our last tool," said Jill Harris, of Sandsational Sand Sculpting.

This year it's a salute to Pittsburgh's Bicentennial.

There is also an abundance of food throughout the park, the top food trucks will line the Clemente Bridge, and of course, there will be fireworks.

The fireworks display will be different this year.

"It's a special Prince tribute which is actually the whole theme and the soundtrack for the show," said Derek Weber from Peony Entertainment.

The show will also have more displays that don't go as high into the air.

"It's actually going to be a little more intimate show," said Weber.

And instead of being fired from the regular spot in the Ohio River near the tip of the Point, they'll be set off on the Allegheny River between Point State Park and the North Shore. As a result, a viewing spot on the South Side, for instance, might not work so well.

"To see it good, you really have to come down to the event. River Walk or the Point, the Great Lawn on the North Shore are the best places to see it," said Weber.

The fireworks are Sunday at 9:30 p.m.

For all the events at this year's Three Rivers Regatta, click here!

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