EQT Three Rivers Regatta draws thousands to Point State Park

PITTSBURGH — The annual EQT Three Rivers Regatta kicked off Friday, and organizers said fans could expect excitement on water and land throughout the three day event.

The packed schedule included fan favorites like the Formula 1 power boats, jet ski stunt shows and the “Anything that Floats” race. There was also a lighted boat parade of recreational boats and, new this year, the Gateway Clipper boat races.

A couple hundred thousand people are expected to attend the Regatta, and organizers are working with police to ensure safety.

“We will have some checkpoints to get into Point State Park, bag checks. We are working with public safety on those things,” event coordinator Darcy Kucenic said.

The U.S. Coast Guard will close part of the rivers as needed for the events, and restrictions are in place regarding where boaters can dock.

A no docking zone was established Friday from the west edge of the Rivers Casino on the Ohio River to the Roberto Clemente Bridge on the Allegheny River, and to the pump house along the Monongahela River.

The following full river closures are in effect Sunday to accommodate river events:

Sunday: 

• Full closure from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Powerboats
• Full closure from 9:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. - Fireworks

The Regatta isn’t just about boat races. There is a stage on a barge with plenty of local and regional music, including:

• Friday – The Delaneys, 100.7 Star, Good Brother Earl, Better Than Ezra, Gin Blossoms
• Saturday – Lovebettie Acoustic Duet, The Brighton Boys, Turnpike Gardens, The Defibulators, American Authors, Beauty Slap
• Sunday – "Country Day" – The Dorals PA Lottery Oldies, Kardasz Brothers PA Lottery Oldies, The Andy Davis Band, Sydney Hutchko, NOMaD, Rodney Atkins

On land, the Wheel of Lights Ferris Wheel returned, along with a rock-climbing wall, sand sculpture, various artists and food vendors. Fans could also check out BMX bike shows and a skydiving team. The Allegheny Health Network had a 40-foot beach ball near the Mr. Rogers statue on the North Shore, and organizers gave out small beach balls.

A Pittsburgh-themed sand sculpture required more than 160 tons of sand and took two weeks to create.

“We have a lot of people who come by the sculpture and they look forward to it,” Jill Harris, of Sandsational Sand Sculpting, said. “We have George Washington, the big city crest is right in the middle and historic figures from Pittsburgh.”

And no big Pittsburgh event would be complete without fireworks. This year, the Regatta fireworks will feature a tribute to the late musician Prince.

“The Regatta is really a fun event. It takes up the entire park. The whole city comes down to participate,” Jill Harris, of Sandsational Sand Sculpting, said.

This year, the Regatta was not tied in with the Fourth of July.

“We wanted to make the Regatta about the Regatta, not about the Fourth -- that has its own celebration, so we wanted to separate it a little bit so people can enjoy what the Regatta is all about,” Kucenic said.

For more information on the EQT Three Rivers Regatta, CLICK HERE.

Cox Media Group