From Steeler Nation to Raising the Jolly Roger to our Pen’s bringing home the Stanley Cup, Pittsburgh is a family of black and gold. We are a tight-knit community that supports our sports teams like no other city in the nation. PNC Park, Heinz Field and CONSOL Energy Center all have seats full of yinzers when it comes to home games. Terrible Towels turn the atmosphere yellow in Heinz Field. Sydney Crosby jerseys jump up and down every time the Pens score a goal. Jolly Roger flags wave in PNC Park when the Pirates take the field. Tailgating is just part of the occasion as the lots outside of the stadiums go from empty to full within minutes, and it all begins hours before the first pitch, kick off or face off. From concerts to games to fundraisers to festivals, the people of Pittsburgh and everywhere else fill the lots and streets of downtown to come out and enjoy a fun day in our city.
A year ago, was the Garth Brooks concert at CONSOL Energy Center. He came out on stage and explained how after the countless places he’s toured; Pittsburgh was by far his favorite. Towards the end of his show, he surprised his wife on her birthday by bringing out Mike Tomlin and multiple, well-known Steelers. The audience went absolutely insane. Similarly, Kenny Chesney makes his annual appearance at Heinz Field every year, talking on stage about Pittsburgh being one of his favorite venues to come too. Even though Kenny in the city leaves trails of garbage from the massive tail gating, he brings in countless people for the night. Pittsburgh is mentioned in countless songs, especially those of our own native, Wiz Khalifa. His concert in Burgettstown is a huge hit among high school and college students living out the last few weeks of summer. Wiz stays true to his roots and was sure to give the steel city a shout out in his hit song “Black and Gold."
Along with the concerts, sports games are a huge phenomenon in Pittsburgh. During the summer months, Latrobe, Pennsylvania becomes the hot spot for Steeler fans as they come to Saint Vincent College to watch their favorite boys practice on the Bearcat’s field. Fans from all over, including Toronto, California, West Virginia, Arizona and even Hawaii come to support the Steelers as they prepare for the new season. During the first preseason game, which took place in Heinz Stadium, fans came to watch from all over. The big screen flashed with images of Mr. Rooney and scenes of past Steelers from Mean Joe Greene to Troy Polamalu and Heinz Ward. The crowd went crazy every time the Steelers scored a touchdown; waving their Terrible Towels like there was no tomorrow. Although the black and gold didn’t come out on top to the Detroit Lions, fireworks exploded behind the huge ketchup bottles on the mega screen once the clock ran out to kickoff the 2016 Season.
Regardless of what day of the week it is, it’s easy to find something exciting and fun to do in Pittsburgh. From attending a game, to going to see the city from the most perfect view up on Mount Washington, Pittsburgh is a city of greatness. From athletics, to movies to radio stations to concerts and artists, the Steel City is the best place to be part of. #ProudToBeAYinzer
