The Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta Splashes Into Its 34th Anniversary

The 2011 EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta kicks off it 34th anniversary Saturday. The event, which is considered the premier Fourth of July celebration in the tri-state area, runs through Monday.

Michael Dongilli, senior vice president of ISM/USA—the firm that has produced the Regatta since 2008—said the event attracts more than a half million people to the city.

“Every year, we want to exceed their expectations and deliver new, often never-before-seen entertainment that leaves them shaking their heads in amazement and appreciation,” he said.

World Champion Sand Sculptor Thomas Koet, of Florida-based Sandsational, will attempt to etch, fashion and form Pittsburgh’s largest sand sculpture. Officials are keeping the ultimate image crafted a secret, but Koet and his team—including wife Jill— are hoping to transform a faceless mountain of sand into an astonishingly detailed mound of art in time for the Regatta’s opening day.

This year, Canada’s own Circus Orange will "wow" visitors with their astounding acrobatic and pyrotechnic feats. “Circus Spectacle,” an adrenaline-filled, intense show—custom-designed by the troupe for their first appearance in western Pennsylvania and at Regatta—happens every night on the Point State Park Main Stage at 8:45 p.m.

For the second consecutive year, the extreme skydivers of the Red Bull Air Force will free-fall in and out of Fourth of July weekend events. World Champion Jon Devore and B.A.S.E. jumping record-holder Miles Daisher take to the air, and then precariously fall to the ground on Sunday and Monday.
 
In some jumps, the two will don their infamous squirrel suits, but Daisher also has another unique prop that will have spectators doing a double-take at what’s torpedoing toward them. He’ll be inside the world’s only Skyak–a skydiving kayak–executing a maneuver that he has only done before in Abu Dhabi, California, Florida and Mexico. His Regatta dive will be his first ever in the North East.

To provide high-speed, high-intensity action on the water, the Regatta will once again host the Powerboat Superleague North American Championships, one of the premier races on the circuit. Both F-2 and F-3 classifications will compete as the top drivers from around the country head to Pittsburgh.

The Mad-City Ski Team of Wisconsin will perform a variety of acts and water ski stunts, including human pyramids with anywhere from between 12 and 24 people in them, girls dance lines, bare-footing, wakeboarding, and
hydrofoil, Sunday and Monday.

Rivers Casino Amphitheatre will be featuring two top flight tribute bands. "Beatlemania Magic's" tribute to the Beatles will go on at 6 p.m. on July 3. "Asbury Fever," recreating Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Little Steven and more will go on at 6 p.m. July 4.

The “Anything that Floats” race is back, along with the colorful Dragon Boat Challenge and the lucrative “Regatta Cup” Bass Fishing Tournament—where anglers will compete for a $3,000 grand prize.

The Mr. Rooter “Calling all Kids” Zone will feature America’s Best Frisbee Dogs, face painters, balloon artists, games and more. For extreme thrills on the ground, the Regatta welcomes the OneUp Skateboard Team and mainstay performer—nine-time national freestyle bike champion Mike Steidley’s “Over the Mountain” bike stunt show.

To celebrate the Fourth of July, the Regatta annually presents the EQT “Flashes of Freedom” Fireworks Fantasia, starting at approximately 9:35 p.m. on July 4. 

The 25-minute display will be produced by New Castle-based Pyrotecnico. Known for their custom platform design innovations, Pyrotecnico’s shows skillfully incorporate aerial shells with low-level and nautical ones. The collective effect produces vivid explosions of kaleidoscopic intensity.

Now customary, the “Flashes of Freedom” display pays tribute to men and women in uniform—military, Coast Guard, fire, police, EMS and all those who guard our nation. 

“This year’s show line-up is one of the strongest we’ve ever produced,” said Regatta Board Chairman John Bonassi. “The EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta continues to be one of our city’s signature attractions, one of western Pennsylvania’s most prestigious events and the state’s largest festival in terms of overall spectatorship."

For a complete schedule of this year’s events and activities, please visit www.threeriversregatta.net.

Boater Safety Information

Sunday

Powerboat, Water Ski, and Anything That Floats Safety Zone: The Coast Guard has established a temporary safety zone from mile marker 0.3 (West edge of Heinz Field) on the Ohio River to mile marker 0.0 (Point State Park) to mile marker 0.4 (6th Street Bridge) on the Allegheny River, extending the entire width of the river from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; 1:55 to 3:30; 3:55 to 6:30; and 6:55 to 8:30. The brief breaks are for vessels to pass through the area (no docking).

Monday

Dragonboat Race Safety Zone: The Coast Guard has established a temporary safety zone from mile marker 0.0 (Heinz Quay) to mile marker 0.5 (Mazeroski Way/Statue) on the Allegheny River, extending 400 feet from the right descending bank from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Powerboat and Water Ski Safety Zone: The Coast Guard has established a temporary safety zone from mile marker 0.3 (West edge of Heinz Field) on the Ohio River to mile marker 0.0 (Point State Park) to mile marker 0.4 (6th Street Bridge) on the Allegheny River, extending the entire width of the river from 1:55 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 4:25 to 6:30; and 6:55 to 8:30. The brief breaks are for marine traffic to pass through the area (no docking).

Fireworks Safety Zone: The Coast Guard has established a temporary safety zone on the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers from mile marker 0.5 on the Ohio River (West edge of Rivers Casino) to mile marker 0.05 on the Allegheny River (Restroom, 330 feet from the Point up-river) and to mile marker 0.05 on the Monongahela River (Pumphouse, 330 feet from the Point up-river), extending the entire width of the rivers from 9:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.