What to know about the City of Pittsburgh's Fourth of July celebration
Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July celebration will look a little different this year.
Because of ongoing construction by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at Point State Park, there won’t be any programming there, said Brandon D’Alimonte, the city’s Parks and Recreation program manager.
Friday’s festivities will take place at the PNC Great Lawn in the North Shore Riverfront Park and at Emerald View Park’s Grandview Bandstand on Mt. Washington.
With limited access to Point State Park, D’Alimonte said the Fourth of July event, which usually draws 30,000 to 40,000 people to the park, might bring fewer people this year because of the adjusted footprint.
The celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. with musical performances by Tuesday Nite, Jukebox and NASH.V.ILL on the main stage on the North Shore. Additional entertainment will be at the Sargent Electric Solar Stage nearby on the riverwalk with Jay Constable and DJ Supa C. There will be a children’s fun zone and food trucks.
At Emerald View Park, there will be performances by Ansel Brown, the Nied’s Hotel Band and the Billy Price Band. Food will be available along with children’s activities. Parking is suggested at the Bottlerocket Social Hall in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood, with free shuttle rides to Emerald View Park.
Details: pittsburghpa.gov
Parking/street closures
Look for street closures along North Shore Drive starting at 3 p.m. Friday.
Emerald View Park area closures include Shiloh Street between Grandview and Virginia avenues on Mt. Washington. Any other closures are at police discretion, D’Alimonte said. Anyone entering the event is subject to a bag check.
The city will release more information this week about public safety and street closings.
Just like any major event in the city, finding parking requires some planning. Available spaces in Downtown and the North Shore and North Side lots can be found here. If you park at Station Square on the South Side, you can ride Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s light rail to the North Shore. Pittsburgh Regional Transit will operate on a modified service Friday with buses on a Sunday schedule. The light rail system is operating on a holiday schedule. PRT encourages riders to allow for additional travel time. Check schedules here before heading out.
Ralph Reetz, Alco Parking general manager, said the company will staff outdoor lots and garages on the North Shore opening at 1 p.m.
Cost to park is $20 and credit or debit only; no cash will be accepted.
“People should plan to arrive early or they might have a hard time getting in,” Reetz said. “We will be prepared.”
Animals and facial hair
The city is also hosting the annual Anthrocon convention Thursday through Sunday. In addition, the World Beard and Moustache championships is being held Thursday through Saturday in Downtown.
Anthrocon is taking place with the furries at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Programming includes workshops and seminars in acting, costume-building, animation, writing and art and design.
The Mad Viking Beard Club Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing together facial hair enthusiasts, and the World Beard and Moustache Association have joined forces to put on the World Beard and Moustache championships. It takes place at Heinz Hall. Contestants from more than 28 countries will compete across 37 facial hair categories.
Details: anthrocon.org or worldbeardchampionships.com
Fourth at the Fort
Despite the construction in Point State Park, the annual Fourth at the Fort will take place at the Fort Pitt Museum. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, the museum hosts Scouts, veterans and other guests to help raise a 36-foot American flag.
The ceremony commences in the Fort Pitt Block House yard through an ongoing partnership with the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, owners of the Fort Pitt Block House.
Following the flag-raising ceremony, there will be living history demonstrations. People can visit the museum’s featured exhibition, “Homelands: Native Nations of Allegheny.”
Admission to the Fourth at the Fort event is free. Regular admission applies to enter the Fort Pitt Museum.
Details: heinzhistorycenter.org
Weather
TribLive’s news partner WTAE meteorologists Jill Szwed and Jeff Verszyla said the weather forecast looks great. Verszyla said the forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and mid-80s during the day with temperatures in the 70s for fireworks and mainly clear skies.
“The forecast looks fantastic for Independence Day, both during the day and for fireworks,” Szwed said. “We are forecasting mostly sunny and 84 degrees. The humidity level will almost feel refreshing, especially after a sweltering end to June. Mostly clear and in the 70s around fireworks time. The lower humidity also bodes well for more vibrant firework displays.”
Fireworks
Speaking of fireworks, Vince Terrizzi Jr., vice president at Starfire Corp., the Cambria County company producing the show, said Pittsburgh is one of his favorite cities because of the location. The barges will be 1,000 feet from the Point on the water.
”It is such a great setting,” Terrizzi said. “When you look out from the barge and you see people at the Point, on the North Shore, the South Side, up in Mt. Washington — people are everywhere, and you hold your breath until the performance is over and hear them cheer. “
For this year’s show, he said, Starfire plans to turn the barge a few degrees toward the North Shore.
In addition to the PNC Great Lawn and Emerald View Park, the city suggests viewing the fireworks at scenic spots such as the West End Overlook, Mount Washington Overlook and the North Shore River Trail.
The show begins just after 9:35 p.m.
There will be several patterns of fireworks, photo flashes and some that change colors. The grand finale has 8,000 salutes, which is a type of firework. Terrizzi said they will use more than 12,000 devices and “it will be loud.”
“Pittsburgh loves the noise,” Terrizzi said. “And we will bring it.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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