EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta Announces Event Line-Up
"YOU GOTTA REGATTA"
PITTSBURGH, PA, Tuesday, May 12, 2015 – The largest inland regatta in the country – the EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta – is going full throttle in its preparations for Fourth of July weekend and promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Beginning Friday, July 3 and continuing through Sunday, July 5, the Regatta will showcase brand new attractions along with many of the old favorites – and more than half a million attendees are expected to enjoy the activities located around Point State Park, the North Shore, and the Clemente Bridge. This year's Regatta, now in its 38th year, is being directed by a brand new event management team – bringing a renewed level of energy and a refreshing, expanded vision for this Pittsburgh tradition."EQT Corporation, Peony Entertainment, and the Board of Directors of the EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta are looking forward to celebrating Pittsburgh's history, beginning with the return of the well-known phrase, ‘You Gotta Regatta!'" states Board Chairman, John R. Bonassi.
“This is the seventh year for EQT as the title sponsor of the Regatta, and we're very excited that this year's Regatta will have a whole new energy and vibe," said Natalie Cox, EQT's Corporate Director of Communications."There will be something for everyone throughout the Pittsburgh region and surrounding areas. EQT has a long-standing commitment to providing a positive impact on communities; and we couldn't be more proud to support the Regatta, a three rivers tradition!"
This year's expanded Regatta includes several major attractions, such as:
“Wheel of Lights" This nine-story tall Ferris Wheel will give riders an amazing view of the three rivers, and after dusk, its musical LED light show will transform the sky into a mesmerizing sight. The Heinz History Center will have an exhibit about the invention of the Ferris Wheel by Pittsburgh North Side native George Ferris in 1893.
Formula One Power Boats make a return to the three rivers for the first time in seven years! In 1982, the Pittsburgh Regatta was the first racing venue in the United States for Formula One Power Boats – and this year, you will once again hear their ear-piercing roar as they speed down the Allegheny River.
Live music on five stages! There will be an abundance of musical entertainment on OneMain Financial Stage, the Barge Stage, The Clemente Bridge, Heinz Field Coors Light Stage, and Rivers Casino Amphitheater.
On July 5, and headlining the Regatta's musical entertainment, is Grammy nominated Chris Young. At only 29, Young has six chart-toppers and eight Gold/Platinum singles including"Lonely Eyes." He's recently been named by Country Weekly as"Country's Sexiest Man" and Taste of Country's"sexiest voice" as"…one of the most gifted singers in Nashville…" Young is preparing to release his new single,"I'm coming Over." Also featured on July 5 is the Sunday Oldies Concert Series, presented by the PA Lottery, on the Barge Stage. Details, dates, and times for all Regatta entertainment activities will continue to be updated on the website: www.yougottaregatta.com
Entertainment on the water!! Adding a special glow to Friday evening, the Lighted Boat Parade invites the local boating community to decorate their boats to add sparkle and shine to the rivers. And back by popular demand, the Anything That Floats Race will capture the imagination of anyone who ever tried to build a boat. Spectators will eagerly watch as contestants raise hope as they attempt to keep their boats afloat. Also, Jet-skiers will demonstrate meticulous timing and balance skills as they surprise the audience with their precision routes; and charged by the beat of the drums, the Dragon Boaters from Three Rivers Rowing Association will speed toward the finish line.
Family friendly activities and lots of them!! Our partners, The Carnegie Science Center, The Children's Museum will provide"make and take" activities and demonstrations. Kids will love the bigger-than-ever"Cool Off Kids Zone" and SandSational Sand Sculpture, both presented by the Colcom Foundation; or stop by for helmet fittings and giveaways, sponsored by Kohl's Hard Head Helmet Program of UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. There will be a colonial village produced by the Fort Pitt Museum, and a self-guided Regatta History Crawl that highlights educational stops within the Regatta's footprint, telling the history of the Regatta, Pittsburgh, and our place within our country's history. And of course there will also be various kids' activities including inflatables, face painters and a kids' beach.
EQT Flashes of Freedom Fireworks produced by Pyrotecnico, an international, award-winning fireworks and special effects company based in New Castle, PA. The fireworks display begins at 9:36 pm on July 4; and media sponsors CBS Radio and WPXI-TV will broadcast live from the event.
Peony Entertainment's Director Derek Weber and Senior Event Coordinator Darcy Kucenic are excited to take this Pittsburgh tradition to the next level, embracing Pittsburgh history while also building new traditions and relationships within the entire Western Pennsylvania region."Our mission," states Kucenic,"is for the Regatta to be the premier summer festival that exposes Pittsburgh's beauty to visitors with the rivers and its surrounding land and to make the Regatta a place where memories from years past are sparked and new ones are created. There is something here for everyone, and everyone contributes to Pittsburgh's history."
The Clemente Bridge, symbolic of Pittsburgh sports history, will play a major role in connecting the entertainment found at Point State Park with that of the North Shore for this year's Regatta. The Bridge will host vendors and artists at the ever-popular"I Made it! Market" and will be joined by some of Pittsburgh's favorite food trucks on Food Truck Row.
The North Shore will be the home base for BMX shows and the Vintage Power Boat exhibit outside the Rivers Casino.
Bike riders can pick a map, designed by Bike Pittsburgh, and secure their bikes at Bike Pittsburgh's Bike Valet, sponsored by Kohl's Hard Head Helmet Program of UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
A highlight of this year's Fourth of July celebration is a musical tribute by The United States Air Force Heritage of America Concert Band. Earlier in the day, will be a special 70th World War II anniversary military salute and recognition ceremony for the men and women who so bravely served our country. The USAF Heritage Band Program"Let Freedom Ring," with featured soprano Dr. Rachel Holland, will also showcase a reading of"Lincoln Portrait" to mark the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War.
Primary sponsors for the Regatta are: EQT Corporation (title sponsor), Colcom Foundation, Rivers Casino, and OneMain Financial. For more information about sponsor opportunities and a compressive list of scheduled events and musical performances for the 2015 EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, please visit www.yougottaregatta.com.
About Peony Entertainment:
Peony Entertainment is a subsidiary of Pyrotecnico (the New Castle, PA international award winning fireworks company where owner Stephen Vitale is the 4th generation in his family to run it). In addition to being the creator and producer of the local favorite event PyroFest (America's Largest Fireworks Festival), Pyrotecnico has been a part of various production aspects at some of the biggest festivals and tours in the world including Lollapalooza, Coachella Valley Music Festival, Electric Daisy Carnival, Nicki Minaj, and the Justin Timberlake tour.Peony Entertainment's mission is to be the recognized leader as a full service Entertainment & Production Company in the United States, leveraging their cutting edge innovation, the highest quality standards, and superior customer service.
About The Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, Inc.:
The Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, Inc, is organized for the purpose of developing and maintaining programs and projects devoted to water safety, recreation and enhancing public usage of the rivers and waterways of Western Pennsylvania, including, but not limited to, the three rivers of the City of Pittsburgh, PA. The target audience is the tri-state region, but extends throughout the United States. The base financial support is through sponsorships of both corporations and foundations, and vendor fees. The Board also distributes annual grants to nonprofit causes that promote clean rivers and recreational use by the public on the rivers.
