Exotic animals, Super Bowl team members will greet fans at Latrobe's Steelers Fest

Visitors to Friday’s annual Steelers Fest in Latrobe will have the opportunity for close encounters with members of past Super Bowl teams and with a few members of some exotic species.

A new feature at the free event, set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Legion Keener Park, will be a visit from denizens of Donegal Township’s Living Treasures Animal Park.

Another highlight: autograph signing by Steelers alumni John Banaszak, from 3 to 4 p.m., and Chris Hope, from 4 to 5 p.m.

The festival is a fun prelude to the popular Friday Night Lights Steelers practice that will follow at 7 p.m. in adjacent Memorial Stadium.

Festival attendees will be able to purchase digital tickets for the practice at the park’s Timken Pavilion, at the stadium Friday or in advance through Ticketmaster.

The price is $10, with proceeds from tickets and concessions benefiting programs at Greater Latrobe School District, owner of the stadium.

The “Steelers Legends” autograph booth is a perennial favorite with fans attending the family-friendly fest — according to Briana Tomack, president of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event.

“We’re really excited that John Banaszak, one of the original players from the Steel Curtain, is going to be here,” said Tomack.

Autograph-seekers may choose to get a copy of a 1970s photo of Banaszak and fellow team members for him to sign.

A defensive lineman with Pittsburgh from 1975 to 1981, Banaszak earned three Super Bowl rings with the Steelers. He later had head coaching stints with Washington & Jefferson College and Robert Morris University.

Hope was with the Steelers from 2002 to 2005 at defensive back and free safety. His three interceptions in the 2005 season helped the Steelers to their fifth Super Bowl win the following February. Hope played six more years with the Tennessee Titans — followed by his final full season in the NFL, with the Atlanta Falcons, in 2012.

Living Treasures is planning to bring a kangaroo, a wallaby and some reptiles for festival visitors to meet, according to staff member Savannah Mullin.

“We’ll have some furry animals and some scaly ones,” she said, adding attendees can pose for photos with the animals for a fee.

Living Treasures critters have appeared before at other community events in Latrobe.

“The baby kangaroo has been a huge hit,” Tomack said.

Though they’re not expected to bring any animals, representatives with the Pennsylvania Game Commission are slated to offer educational displays and information about wild game in the area.

The Steelers will bring interactive games, and visitors can try scaling a climbing wall. Musical entertainment will include performances by the Pittsburgh Steeline, beginning at 1 p.m.

After a string of days with sizzling temperatures, the National Weather Service is calling for a comfortable high of about 77 degrees on Friday.