Pittsburgh Finalizes Plans For Taylor Swift, Juneteenth Celebration

PITTSBURGH, PA — Pubic safety officials say they are anticipating "unprecedented crowds" Downtown and the North Shore this weekend. There will be two Taylor Swift concerts at Acrisure Stadium and the Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration in Point State Park and Market Square.

Swift will perform at two sold out shows Friday and Saturday. The Juneteenth celebration begins Friday with live performances and vendors, continues Saturday with a parade and concludes with fireworks on Monday.

"The Department of Public Safety has worked hard with organizers of both events to ensure the safety of everyone involved," city Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt said Wednesday. "We ask that anyone who is participating pay close attention to the planned security measures to ensure things run smoothly."

City officials said that in other cities, as many as 100,000 Swift fans, both with and without tickets, have crowded the venue areas to participate in the experience. Acrisure Stadium strongly discourages non-ticket holders to avoid coming to the stadium and the North Shore.

City officials are urging participants and spectators for the Juneteenth Grand Jubilee on Saturday to be aware of the route, parking restrictions and road closures. The parade forming area is on Crawford Street between Bedford Avenue and Centre Avenue in the lower Hill District; this area will be closed by 8 a.m. and the parade will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The route is as follows:

• Right on Centre Avenue.

• Left on Sixth Avenue.

• Right on Fifth Avenue.

• Left on Liberty Avenue to conclude at Commonwealth Place.

The Juneteenth fireworks display will occur Monday at 9:35 p.m. in Point State Park. Because of the large number of people expected, bag checks will be conducted at the park's five entry points. Prohibited items in the park include, but are not limited to, alcohol, narcotics, laser pointers, weapons, explosives, and ammunition. Grills also are prohibited.