The first fans lined up on Pittsburgh’s North Shore at 4:45 a.m. Thursday for an opportunity to board the Gateway Clipper’s Empress boat and join the “Good Morning America” live broadcast with Ginger Zee, T.J. Holmes and Tory Johnson.
Friends Patty Kolesar of West Mifflin and Marlene Ordonez of McKeesport were the first in line. They work together at Costco in Homestead.
“This is exciting,” an overjoyed Kolesar said. “We love the ‘Deals and Steals’ segment. They always have great stuff and I buy those products. I’ve even bought some socks. I’m wearing them right now.”
Good Morning America bus @GMA pic.twitter.com/ex700m2mIl
— JoAnne Harrop (@JHarrop_Trib) July 25, 2019
Ordonez carried a tray of cookies from Pastries A-La-Carte in Pleasant Hills with the “GMA” emblem and capital Pirates “P.”
“These are to feed the celebrities,” she said.
Good morning. Pittsburgh. #GMARoadTrip pic.twitter.com/bAAvJkUqV5
— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) July 25, 2019
More than 250 people cheered as they lined up on the steps from Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 to the North Shore Riverwalk as anticipation built for the 7 a.m. start time. Security guards said some fans arrived as early as 2 a.m. and waited in their cars until a line was formed.
As the show’s brigtly painted motorhome pulled up to the raucous crowd they were greeted by cheerleaders from the University of Pittsburgh and mascots from the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and Riverhounds.
At 7:40 a.m., GMA meteorologist Ginger Zee left the boat and greeted cheering fans on the river walk.
“I love the spirit, definitely the spirit,” she said, when asked about the Pittsburgh reception. “We couldn’t have had a better morning,” she said. “I could feel the energy from the people of Pittsburgh. It was so nice to meet the people in person who we ‘talk’ to every morning (on television).”
Ginger Zee in the Pittsburgh Parking Chair during the live broadcast of Good Morning America in the city of champions #GMAroadtrip pic.twitter.com/EP8OjHRX6P
— JoAnne Harrop (@JHarrop_Trib) July 25, 2019
Zee said the road tour of various cities has been a great experience.
“Usually when we travel it is for something horrific,” she said. “It is so nice to be in Pittsburgh and to celebrate Picklesburgh. Thank you Pittsburgh for having us.”
Fans boarding the Gateway Clipper’s Empress for live broadcast of Good Morning America @GMA pic.twitter.com/5emgsOQ4Og
— JoAnne Harrop (@JHarrop_Trib) July 25, 2019
The line for audience members for Good Morning America @GMA @vstpgh pic.twitter.com/j3ASeL9f8L
— JoAnne Harrop (@JHarrop_Trib) July 25, 2019
Mike McVay, his sister Kate McVay and her friend Annamarie Pacione – all students at Hempfield High School – joined the audience on the North Shore dock. The three stayed up all night so they could make it in time for Pacione’s birthday.
“We went to three different spots before we found it,” Mike McVay said. “When my sister, asked me, I thought, ‘Why not? Let’s do it.’”
It’s almost time to board the Empress for Good Morning America @GMA pic.twitter.com/RqOvsRX70C
— JoAnne Harrop (@JHarrop_Trib) July 25, 2019
Friends and co workers Marlene Ordonez of McKeesport and Patty Kolesar we’re first in line for Good Morning America @GMA pic.twitter.com/WxI9DcLzQX
— JoAnne Harrop (@JHarrop_Trib) July 25, 2019
The Good Morning America team reached out to the Pittsburgh Passion women’s professional football team and invited them to come aboard.
“This was super cool to be on a live talk show,” said Plum resident Lauren Ferragonio, a guard who played on two championship teams and the 2017 U.S. Women’s National Team. “It’s not every day you get to do that.”
Ferragonio is a Plum High School graduate.
Good Morning Pittsburgh to Good Morning America @GMA pic.twitter.com/rPa7ILFbsc
— JoAnne Harrop (@JHarrop_Trib) July 25, 2019
Nothing like starting your Thursday with @GMA on the North Shore!#H2P | #GoodMorningAmerica pic.twitter.com/9CbeoOcjaI
— Pitt Athletics (@Pitt_ATHLETICS) July 25, 2019
The show featured a video segment on local charity Beverly’s Birthdays, which provides birthdays for needy children.
The organization’s founder, Megs Yunn, was on hand to receive a $10,000 check from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to help fund future parties.
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald also read a proclamation on behalf of the county and the City of Pittsburgh declaring July 25 “Beverly’s Birthday Day.”
“This is surreal,” Yunn said after the show. “I couldn’t believe it was really Good Morning America when they called me. This money can help so many children have birthday parties.”
Leanne Natale of Munhall made a sign with her daughter Gina Natale that said “Yinzers (heart) GMA.”
“I really wanted to do this for the experience,” Leanne Natale said. “I watch the show all the time. We wanted them to feel welcome here so that’s why we made the sign.”
PITTSBURGH! You were wonderful! #GMARoadTrip @toryjohnson @Ginger_Zee @tjholmes https://t.co/GaVZzg7kJN pic.twitter.com/tUWqkWvlkp
— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 25, 2019
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop and Tony LaRussa are Tribune-Review staff writers. Contact JoAnne at 412-320-7889, jharrop@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JHarrop_Trib. Reach Tony at 724-772-6368, tlarussa@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TonyLaRussaTrib.
