EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta 2018: What You Need To Know

PITTSBURGH, PA - Formula One powerboat races, national music acts, frisbee dogs, the USA Jet Ski Freestyle Championships, a beer garden and fireworks. Those are just some of the highlights announced Tuesday of the 41st annual EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta taking place August 3-5.

The land, air and water festival, which is the largest inland regatta in the nation and one of the tristate region’s largest summer events, offers three days of free, family entertainment. Here’s what you can expect:

Water events

• NGK F1 Powerboat Tour Speeds into Pittsburgh. Aug. 3-5: This year’s F-1 champion will be crowned Aug. 5 after trials Aug. 3 and 4. Racers will reach speeds of up to 150 mph.

• USA Jet-Ski Freestyle Championships Soar Above the Water, Aug. 3-5r. Watch daily and evening shows as daredevils use a variety of freestyle jet-skis and hydro-flight jet-board devices that allow them to perform spectacular jumps, backflips, corkscrew spins, flips and rolls into the air.

• ALCOSAN 3 Rivers Proud Anything That Floats Race Sets Sail, Aug. 4 This regatta favorite returns to test teams’ nautical know-how as they build homemade boats that they hope will stay afloat and sail down the Allegheny. There’s still time to enter the race by clicking on yougottaregatta.org

• Pittsburgh Paddlesports Championships Debut, Aug.5. This 6-mile course will take place on the Allegheny River. This event is open to all ages and all experience levels so bring your kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddle boards to join in the fun. To register visit main.acsevents.org/2018pghpaddlesport.

Land events

• Yuengling Beer Garden. Featuring Yuengling and Barefoot Wine products, the garden offers views of the powerboat races, jet ski competition and fireworks.

• All Aboard the Sandsational Sand Sculpture. This year’s sand sculpture theme pays tribute to the Pennsylvania Railroad. Made of 150 tons of sand, this detailed structure, will feature the tracks, rails and trains that have contributed to Pennsylvania’s rich history.

• Catch the Frisbee Dog Stunt Shows. These daily shows are performed by the “K9 Crew Trick Dog Show” will feature high-flying tricks.

• Shop the Regatta Marketplace. Browse all the goods for sale at the marketplace, open all three days at a new location at Liberty Avenue between Stanwix Street & Commonwealth Place. In addition, the kids zone will be open each day for families looking to take a break from all the action.

Air events

• The Red Bull Air Force Sky Dive Team, Aug. 4 and 5. Catch the amazing stunts of these aerial daredevils.

• “Regatta Thunder” Fireworks, Aug. 4.

Live Music

• Sugar Ray, Aug. 3: Fans can look forward to jamming to some of the bands biggest 90s hits including “Every Morning,” “Someday” and “When It’s Over.”

• The Commonheart, Aug. 4: Fans can expect to hear songs from the group’s new album “Grown,” which interlaces heavy blues, soul and gospel influences across trumpet, saxophone, keys, guitar and singers.

• Randy Houser, Aug. 5: Fans can expect to hear all of Houser’s hits including, “How Country Feels,” “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “Goodnight Kiss.”

Image via YouTube.

Subscribe to Pittsburgh Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.