Iconic giant ketchup bottle returns to Heinz Gate outside Acrisure Stadium
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- One of the iconic giant ketchup bottles from the scoreboard at Heinz Field is returning to Pittsburgh's North Shore and is being placed at the Heinz Gate outside Acrisure Stadium.
Early Tuesday morning outside Acrisure Stadium, workers began installing the giant ketchup bottle along Allegheny Avenue.
"To see the ketchup bottle back on the building here is going to be pretty awesome," said Nick Benevento, a refurbishing coordinator.
Strapped carefully to the back of a flat-bed truck, the beloved Heinz ketchup bottle made the trip from a secret location in Elizabeth Township to the North Shore.
"Love the fact that the bottles went away, and that Steeler nation just really demanded that they come back," added Sandy Steffan, Vice President of Steffan Industries.
The new, high-shine label stays true to the classic design. It is expertly-placed on the side of the now, flawless, crimson fiber glass shell.
The attention to detail put into restoring the 33-foot symbol makes hoisting it above its new location at Gate C, a very delicate process.
The two giant ketchup bottles were removed from the stadium's scoreboard last year when the naming rights changed hands and the venue's name was changed to Acrisure Stadium.
Following the name change, Heinz kept its presence at the stadium. And, with the venue's Gate C now called the Heinz Gate, it was announced that the bottles would be returning to the site in the near future.
"It's quite a feat and that's why there's so many contractors involved in this," added Steffan.
"It brings back the memories of all the games we've all been to and enjoyed at Heinz Field, said Benevento.
In a statement sent to KDKA, Heinz said, "As part of Heinz's continued partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and our evolved presence within the confines of the stadium, we're thrilled to unveil an Instagram-worthy, experiential photo opportunity with one of the iconic Heinz Field ketchup bottles. You can participate in the ketchup bottle photo op at Gate C. This is just one of many ways Heinz continues to support the Pittsburgh community and the Steelers stadium experience."
