Fans Gear Up For Game With Rally & Playoff Party
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Black & Gold fever is sweeping across Pittsburgh as fans get geared up for Saturday's much-anticipated AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.
There's plenty going on to get the atmosphere in town just right for a showdown with one of the Steelers most bitter rivals.
The fun kicked off at noon over at the Allegheny County Courthouse with the "Ruin the Ravens" Rally.
Fans, clad in black and gold, packed the courtyard there during the lunch hour for live music and food, all aimed at getting pumped up for the game.
And when it comes to the Steelers success, the fan base is awash with tradition and superstitions.
"Every year before the playoff games we always come up to the Strip and get our food, clothes and everything else," said Shawn Sanchez, of East Liverpool, Ohio.
Often times, if it's not what you're eating or wearing or imbibing in, it's what you eat.
"It's all about hot sausage. It's a tradition in the family," said KDKA's own Jennifer Antkowiak. "I don't even eat it, but I make it. It's my mother-in-law's recipe, she got it from way, way back, and before every playoff game, I've got to make this hot sausage."
But in the interest of full journalist disclosure and balance, it was also necessary to find out what Ravens' fans do before a big game.
"Just hang out," said R.C., a Ravens fan who is visiting Pittsburgh.
Whatever it is though that makes the Black and Gold rule the turf when it comes to the individual or collective efforts of the fans, the signs and the history point to success.
For fans still looking for more black-and-gold-themed fun, there's always the Pittsburgh Steelers Playoff Party over on the North Shore tonight.
The featured entertainment is Butler native and famous Steelers fan, Bret Michaels.
Former Steelers Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley will emcee the event, which will also include appearances by Steelers alumni.
The party gets underway at 3 p.m. when the doors open at Stage AE. The live music is set to start at 7 p.m. with performances by Tres Lads and Scotty Bratcher. Michaels is scheduled to take the stage at 10 p.m.
Tickets cost $20 and are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com.
