Festival, practice draw thousands to Latrobe for annual Steelers Nation gathering

John and Bree Tedesco brought their family from across the country Friday to Latrobe’s Legion Keener Park.

Victor Desport brought his grandson, 8-year-old Liam Desport, from just across town.

They were among thousands of members of Steelers Nation who converged on the park for a free daylong festival devoted to their favorite team and then filed into Memorial Stadium next door for the players’ annual Friday Night Lights ticketed summer practice.

A native of Erie, John Tedesco brought his wife into the Steelers fold when they tied the knot and started to raise three children in her home state of Oklahoma.

“That was part of the deal when we first started dating,” she said. “I needed to be a Steelers fan. I didn’t follow any team originally.”

They’ve since joined the Steelers Nation Club of Tulsa and have been on a Legends of Pittsburgh sports-themed cruise.

As a result, John said, “We’ve made a ton of lifelong friends.”

“We have friends that we meet in Pittsburgh that we only see at the games,” Bree said, noting they attend at least one Steelers game each year.

Friday was their first time attending the Steelers evening practice in Latrobe, and they dressed for the occasion in matching gold, black and white-striped garb — pants for him and overalls refashioned into a summer skirt for her.

The event also provided a festive occasion to meet up with John’s parents from Erie.

“It’s been awesome,” said John. “We got to meet (Steelers alum) Tim Worley and get his autograph, and our kids got to throw a football into a hoop.”

Though he’s a Steelers fan and has lived in Latrobe all his life, this was the first year Victor Desport attended Steelers Fest, Friday Night Lights or the team’s daytime camp practices open to the public at nearby Saint Vincent College.

Being able to share the experience with his grandson gave him an extra incentive to attend the events.

“He’s old enough now that he’s into sports big time, and he loves going to see the Steelers play,” the elder Desport said.

Liam, who has played youth football, signed up for a series of football skills stations for kids at Steelers Fest.

“I liked the tackling one the best because it shows how strong we are,” Liam said. “It makes us better at tackling.

“The cornerback one was hard. We had to run routes.”

He was hoping to meet Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt during the Friday Night Lights practice.

After they scored autographs from Worley, the Taylor brothers from Girard in Erie County — Ben, 6, and Owen, 8 — were looking to gather more from current Steelers at the evening practice, including Watt’s signature.

“They’re just learning football, but they’re pretty big fans,” said mom Heather.

She herself has remained a steadfast devotee of the Black and Gold, despite growing up in a household oriented toward the Buffalo Bills and living in Baltimore for a decade with her husband, Seth.

“We went to Ravens games, but I wore my Steelers shirt underneath,” she said.

The Taylor brothers came prepared with items to adorn with as many Steelers signatures as they could collect.

“They have cards, footballs and their jerseys, so we’re hoping for some autographs,” said their mom. “We’ll see how lucky we are.”

Traves Williams and his sister, Nicole, traveled from separate Missouri cities — he from Sedalia and she from Kansas City — to spend some time with family in their childhood home in Carnegie while also attending the Steelers events in Latrobe and camp sessions at Saint Vincent.

“We come back every year,” said Nicole. “We grew up with our parents watching the Steelers. I’m living in the (Kansas City) Chiefs city, but I’m Black and Gold all the way.”

The siblings waited patiently in line for former Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix to arrive at the festival so they could add his autograph to those they’d picked up at Saint Vincent.

“The wait is worth if if you’re a fan,” said Nicole. “It was worth the 13-hour drive from Kansas City.”

Traves said he was anxious to see how this season’s Steelers quarterbacks will perform.

“It looks like an exciting team, but we have a tough schedule,” he said.

While he always roots for the Steelers, he’ll be particularly happy if they defeat Kansas City on Christmas Day.

“If they beat the Chiefs, I won’t have to hear about it for the next 20 years,” he said.

In addition to seeking autographs, fans attending Friday’s festival could take part in Steelers-themed games and listen to performances by the Pittsburgh Steeline drumline.

There were plenty of menu items to sample from food trucks on hand, including the Scottdale-based Bundridge Bussin’ BBQ. Hungry attendees made a run on owner Adam Bundridge’s brisket meals, which were getting in short supply.

“I didn’t really know what to expect since it’s our first time here,” said Bundridge, who started the business in July 2023. “It seems like we’re doing pretty well. There’s a good turnout.

“I love the Steelers. I’d love to get to serve them barbecue one day.”