Pens Fans Open Up Their Wallets At Parade Celebration
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- "Beautiful day, beautiful day in Pittsburgh," shouted one vendor, selling Pittsburgh Penguins pennants near the parade route.
City officials could not have picked a better day to attract a crowd of Pens fans -- and an enthusiastic crowd.
"Let's go Pens. Let's go Pens," was the chant heard repeatedly.
It was a crowd certain to attract vendors with all kinds of merchandise for sale.
"Get your Stanley Cup championship shirts here," yelled another vendor.
Anything that brings 400,000 people into downtown Pittsburgh is bound to have an economic impact, and there's no doubt that this Pens parade is doing just that.
This was a common refrain.
"I'm actually spending a lot more money than I anticipated," says Natalie Kazmierszak of Dormont.
Former Sto-Rox teacher Mike Pettinato came back from Phoenix and just for food and souvenirs, he's spending "probably two hundred dollars."
Seems to be a popular number.
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"Probably close to two hundred dollars or more, when you eat and stuff, and we're going to have a great time," Shelly Spidle of Altoona told KDKA money editor Jon Delano.
And there was a lot to spend money on like this Pens hat for five bucks -- and, of course, T-shirts galore.
Yinzers in the Strip relocated to Market Square for parade day.
"We figured we'd bring it down to Market Square," said Jimmy Coen of Yinzers.
Delano: "How's it going today? Are you selling?"
Coen: "Oh, tremendous. You know everybody is in a good mood. Everybody's happy. What a beautiful day we have."
Vendors were making money -- like this man selling those pens hats.
"I did about fourteen hundred dollars so far," said Robert Burlett, a local vendor from Mt. Washington.
No surprise.
Lots of people like Harry Zabetakis of Kilbuck Township admit to being suckers for souvenirs.
"I'm a hoarder for that stuff. My wife tells me all the time," says Zabetakis.
And it's not just souvenirs -- the restaurants downtown were booming -- with plenty of long lines at the old favorites.
Fortunately, not everything has a price.
Darrell Leeper of Chartiers City was playing his saxophone, hoping for a few bucks in his music case.
And after a hot day on the parade route, these kids found a great way to keep cool – jumping in the fountain at PPG Plaza -- all for free.