Labor Day weekend on Pittsburgh's North Shore will feature football, baseball and ribs
If you are heading to the North Shore this Labor Day weekend it is best to have a game plan, especially on Saturday.
The University of Pittsburgh football opens its season hosting cross-town rival Duquesne University at noon Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
The Banana Ball World Tour, featuring the entertaining Savannah Bananas, are playing at 7 p.m. at PNC Park on Friday and Saturday. Activities around the ballpark begin at 2 p.m. each day. Federal Street from General Robinson Street, through the Roberto Clemente Bridge, will close to vehicular traffic beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday and will reopen at 6 a.m. Sunday.
And the annual Acrisure Stadium Kickoff and Rib Fest presented by I.C. Light will take place Thursday through Monday.
Just across the river, the Soul Food Festival is happening Friday through Sunday in Downtown Pittsburgh.
“Although it’s obvious, arrive early,” said Mike Sukitch, owner of Mike’s Beer Bar and the North Shore Tavern across from PNC Park on Federal Street.
Outside his establishments, the Savannah Bananas will have events beginning mid-afternoon until game time. The Clemente Bridge will be closed as a fun zone only for ticket holders.
As a Duquesne alum, he is having a pre-game football event starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.
“All are welcome,” Sukitch said. “Go, Dukes! Traffic congestion will be heavy. Saturday, the Pitt and Duquesne game will add an additional traffic challenge as the post-game football and pregame (Savannah) Banana crowds will intersect.”
Going bananas
The popular barnstorming baseball event originally from Savannah, Ga., is in town for two exhibition games featuring the Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters on Friday and Saturday. Crowds of more than 30,000 guests are expected at each event.
Pedestrian traffic on Federal Street outside PNC Park will be available only on the east side of the walkway. A plaza on Federal Street will be open for ticketed guests only. Gates to PNC Park will open at 4:30 p.m. each day. On-street parking is prohibited on the North Shore during events.
From 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Saturday there will be limited access to the North Shore, as roads will be blocked off to exit football fans. The only access to the North Shore during this time will be from Interstate 279.
After 4:45 p.m. Saturday, the remainder of the North Shore parking lots and garages will become available. Fans can utilize Pittsburgh Regional Transit and park Downtown and ride to the North Shore. The Gateway Clipper Fleet will have boats bringing fans from Station Square on Pittsburgh’s South Side to PNC Park.
Details: thesavannahbananas.com
Parking
Because multiple events are happening at the same time, parking will be challenging, said Ralph Reetz, general manager for Alco Parking.
He said they have been told to expect 35,000 to 40,000 for the football game, and some of the traffic from that game and the Savannah Bananas will overlap. There are two games Friday and Saturday, with more than 30,000 fans expected at each game.
Parking lots will open at 7 a.m. Saturday. Most of the lots for the Pitt and Duquesne game have been pre-sold, Reetz said.
People heading to the North Shore should download the ParkPGH app or visit m.parkpgh.org to check for available parking. There may be spaces available in the West General Robinson Garage or North Shore Garage for $35 — credit or debit only. No cash will be accepted.
The Waze traffic and navigation app can provide the most efficient routes to and from the game.
“Give yourself time,” Reetz said.
He recommends the best time to arrive for the Savannah Bananas game is around 5 p.m. That way, most of the Pitt and Duquesne traffic should be gone, he said.
“It is not uncommon for multiple events to be happening on the same day on the North Shore,” Reetz said. “Somehow it all works out, no matter how bad it seems. I do suggest packing patience and allowing extra time.”
Pittsburgh Soul Food Festival
Not far from the North Shore, the Pittsburgh Soul Food Festival is taking place on Stanwix Street and Liberty Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh. This is a new location this year. There will be more than 100 small-business vendors and food service proprietors, as well as live entertainment and other activities. Entertainers include Yung Joc performing Friday, Styles P on Saturday and Beanie Sigel on Sunday.
The sixth annual event is a celebration of the city’s Black culinary, butchery and food businesses.
Admission is free.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Details: facebook.com
Weather
The best news of the weekend is the weather.
According to Jill Szwed, a meteorologist for TribLive news partner WTAE-TV, the North Shore is the place to be this weekend.
“The weekend forecast looks fantastic for all of the events on the North Shore,” she said. “Perfect weather for football. Pitt and Duquesne will kick off in the upper 60s under sunny skies. The Savannah Bananas will play in that ‘football weather,’ too. It will be clear and cool for both games. Temperatures will inch closer to 80 degrees on Sunday and Monday.”
Cross-town matchup
This is Pitt’s 136th season and the 98th for Duquesne.
Pitt and Duquesne will meet for the first time in 86 years and seventh time overall. The Panthers hold a 5-2 series edge. Duquesne won the most recent encounter, 21-13, in 1939 at the former Pitt Stadium. Pitt was the No. 1 ranked team that year. Pitt leads the all-time series 5-2.
The Dukes’ defensive coordinator, Mickey Jacobs, spent four seasons on the coaching staff at Pitt.
Details: pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/football or goduquesne.com/sports/football
Ribs
The Kickoff and Rib Festival started in 1990 at Three Rivers Stadium. It features concerts by national artists, a dozen rib vendors and games.
There will be post-game street party from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, noon to 11 p.m. Sunday and noon to 9 p.m. Monday.
Details: acrisurestadium.com
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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