Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Regatta: Five Things You Need To Know

PITTSBURGH, PA - Expected to draw as many as a half-million people, the 2017 EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta will be held the weekend of Aug. 4-6. The regatta is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Here are five things you should know about the event:

1. New and traditional water events are scheduled.

New this year will be the Red Bull Flugtag, in which homemade flying machines are launched off a 22-foot deck...and usually plunge instantly into the river below. Returning will be the U.S. F1 Powerboat Tour Races in which boats can reach speeds of 150 mph; the Anything That Floats Race without which no Pittsburgh regatta would be complete; the Pitt Ohio lighted boat parade and the traditional jet ski stunt shows.

2. Not all of the action takes place on the three rivers.
In Point State Park, you’ll again find the Wheel of Lights 90-foot Ferris wheel; 150 tons of sand that will be turned into sand sculptures; the Rachael Ray Nutrish frisbee dogs and a kids play zone. On the Roberto Clemente Bridge, the regatta marketplace will be open daily.

3. There’s also cool stuff taking place in the sky.
On Friday, the Red Bull Air Force Sky Dive Team will attempt some amazing skydiving stunts above the Allegheny River.

4. There will be live music as well.
Country star Easton Corbin performs at 8 p.m. Friday; 1990s leftovers Smash Mouth will pay at 8 p.m. Saturday; The Defibulators bring their blend of bluegrass, country, rockabilly and punk at 8 p.m. Sunday. Opening act The Raelyn Nelson Band takes the stage at 6:30 p.m.

5. It’s Pittsburgh. Of course there will be a firework display.
“Regatta Thunder” concludes the weekend’s festivities at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. Be there or be square.

Photo by Ken Sutton via Creative Commons.