Kenny Chesney concert, Pride and the Arts Festival will make for a busy weekend in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- With three major events all taking place in different parts of town, it's going to be a very busy weekend throughout the city of Pittsburgh.
With Kenny Chesney in town for a summer concert stop at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh Pride kicking off its annual festival, and the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival getting underway, tens of thousands of people will be packing into numerous parts of the city.
Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival gets underway Friday morning
The annual Three Rivers Arts Festival will be getting underway this morning at 11:00. The festival will last through the end of next weekend in the city's Cultural District.
Around 300,000 people are expected to attend the festival over the next ten days with more than 400 artists and vendors are expected to be on hand.
The Rachel Carson Bridge was closed to traffic earlier this week and will add even more space for the festival. The bridge will be full of artists, a music stage, and more.
The festival starts this morning and runs through next Sunday with hours from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day.
Pittsburgh Pride begins Friday ahead of Saturday march and parade
Starting today at 2 p.m., Pittsburgh Pride will be getting underway and kicking off the start of Pride Month.
The multi-day celebration will start Friday with Pride in the Park at Allegheny Commons Park West on the city's North Side.
Tomorrow, lineup will begin for the Pittsburgh Pride March and Parade at 10:00 a.m. along Liberty Avenue between 11th Street and 16th Street. The march and parade will get underway at noon. Anyone wishing to march in support of LGBTQIA+ rights is welcome to participate.
The march and parade will travel down Liberty Avenue, turn right onto 7th Street, across the Andy Warhol Bridge, and through the North Side to Allegheny Commons Park.
After the march and parade, there will be performances with more than 40 LGBTQIA+ artists starting at 2 p.m.., headlined by Tamar Braxton.
The festival's closing block party will take place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Bloomfield.
The music festival Pride on the Shore is also happening at Stage AE on May 31 and June 2, with headliners like Chappell Roan, Jess Glynne, Slayyyter, Natasha Bedingfield and Keke Palmer.
Kenny Chesney returns to Acrisure Stadium on Saturday
The Sun Goes Down Tour is making a stop here in Pittsburgh and it's going to be a packed house on the North Shore tomorrow as Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney, and Uncle Kracker are getting ready to play Acrisure Stadium.
This will be Kenny Chesney's 12th time playing the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Parking lots open at 1 p.m. tomorrow. People attending the concert are encouraged to park in Downtown Pittsburgh and ride the light rail to the North Shore The ride on the light rail is free.
Gates open at 4 p.m. and the opening acts will start at 5 p.m.
If a bag is necessary, fans can use two types: a clear plastic bag the size of a 1-gallon Ziploc bag or a small handheld purse clutch.
Acrisure Stadium is a cashless venue.
Pittsburgh officials talk safety ahead of busy weekend
Pittsburgh police will be working with the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office and state police mounted units. Their advice is to figure out where you're parking before you arrive.
"It's probably best you carpool or find other transport, so you don't have to get caught up in all that," Pittsburgh Police Assistant Chief Richard Ford said.
River rescue and the Fish and Boat Commission will be out in the water.
EMS is urging people to hydrate properly. While there will be plenty of drinking, the weather added with that can lead to not feeling well. And watch before you cross the street. It sounds simple, but there are going to be people who don't wait for the 37 crossing guards to give them the green light.
"We do not want anybody to get hit on a very glorious day celebrating all the events in the city of Pittsburgh," crossing guard supervisor Donna McManus said.
While it's beautiful Friday, we all know it will rain at least one time during arts fest. Unless there are high winds or lightning, the headliners will go on as planned.
"I think it's going to be a great weekend. Lot of people and a good time to come Downtown," J.P. Diroll said while getting his booth ready.
"It's fun to be in Pittsburgh these next 10 days," said Sarah Aziz with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
While this is all going on, police said they will keep plenty of resources around the city to handle the calls of residents. They added if you have any problems getting around tomorrow, don't hesitate to come up and ask anyone for assistance.
