Pittsburgh's North Side, North Shore packed with events Labor Day weekend

Pittsburgh’s North Shore and North Side will be bustling with activity for Labor Day weekend starting with the annual Kickoff and Rib Festival near Acrisure Stadium, which opens Thursday.

There’s also a University of Pittsburgh football game, TacoMania Super Fest and a Green Day concert this weekend.

Additionally, the USS LST 325, a landing ship tank that was involved in the invasion at Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944, in Normandy, France is available for tours Friday through Tuesday on the North Shore near Acrisure Stadium.

This is not the first time several events have been on the schedule in the same weekend — in the first weekend of June the city hosted Pittsburgh Pride with a march that passed directly by the crowds at the Three Rivers Arts Festival at the Allegheny Riverfront. Not far from there, Kenny Chesney was performing at Acrisure.

“It can be challenging and at times there are also roads closed, which creates additional challenges,” said Ralph Reetz, general manager for Alco Parking. “Extra patience is always a good option to help during these times.”

“The only thing that would complicate that more is if Paul Skenes is pitching for the Pirates,” Reetz said, citing the team’s phenom who has been attracting large crowds.

Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of Visit Pittsburgh, said via email that Labor Day weekend always presents an incredible opportunity for residents and visitors alike to experience authentic Pittsburgh.

“A full calendar is where our city thrives,” Bachar said.

Bachar said they don’t have specific projections for how many people will converge on the North Side. Most likely there will be thousands.

“Pittsburgh is very much an event-driven destination year-round, so a strong lineup on any given weekend helps to boost visitation economic impact and exposure of Pittsburgh as a vibrant must-visit city,” Bachar said.

Kickoff and Rib Festival

The Acrisure Stadium Kickoff and Rib Festival is from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and noon to 9 p.m. on Monday. It will feature national and local rib vendors as well as entertainment. The Clarks will perform at 9 p.m. on Friday.

The FedEx Great Hall inside Acrisure will be open for fans to view the team’s Super Bowl trophies, Hall of Fame Museum, Steelers memorabilia and the Terrible Towel Wall.

A Steelers run/walk event is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Monday. It is a fundraiser for the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund and features a 3.1-mile level course on the North Shore. Participants finish on the Acrisure Stadium warning track. Cost is $20-$55.

Admission to the Rib Festival is free.

Details: acrisurestadium.com

Weather/Parking

The weather this weekend looks to be a little unsettled, according to Jared Rackley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon. He said that Thursday and Friday look pretty good with a slight chance of rain. There is a greater chance of rain Saturday and Sunday. Thursday’s and Friday’s high will be near 90 with the rest of the days in the 80s.

“It could be kind of a stormy weekend Friday into Saturday and Saturday later in the day into Sunday,” Rackley said. “Temperatures will start to cool down from what we’ve been having early this week.”

Those who will be trying to find a place to park are advised to reserve a spot through apps such as parkwhiz or ParkMobile.

There are nearly 10,000 spots on the North Shore and about one-third are surface spaces that can be used for tailgating for Pitt and Green Day fans. Most of the Pitt parking is pre-sold, Reetz said. There will be some spots in the West General Robinson Street Garage and the North Shore Garage and on Fontella Street near Rivers Casino. Cost for those lots will be $25-$35.

Lots open at 7 a.m. for the Pitt game.

No tailgating is permitted in parking garages. Most of the surface lots and garages take credit cards only. The parking authority’s First Avenue Garage on the edge of Downtown is a way to avoid traffic. There are 1,200 spaces at the First Avenue Garage and those who park there can take a free light-rail ride on Pittsburgh Regional Transit.

Ride-share services are another option.

Pitt football

Pitt opens its 135th season by hosting Kent State at noon on Saturday at Acrisure.

Pitt has won each of the prior seven meetings with Kent State. The most recent encounter was a 43-3 decision on Sept. 6, 2003. This season marks Pat Narduzzi’s 10th as head coach of the Panthers.

Pitt is 88-44-2 all-time in openers and will have a new starting quarterback for the third consecutive year.

Tickets start at $28.

Details: pittsburghpanthers.com

TacoMania Super Fest

The taco festival will feature a dozen taco businesses as well as other food choices, margaritas and beer from local breweries from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Allegheny Commons Park.

Event coordinator Mark Turic said navigating the North Side “will be a blast with so many exciting events.”

He suggests people start their day at TacoMania and then head to the North Shore.

“You can easily walk, bike or drive over to the Rib Fest for more delicious bites and in the evening you can check out what we feel is the unofficial TacoMania after party at PNC Park with Green Day headlining,” he said. “It’s sure to be one of the best concerts in Pittsburgh this summer.”

Admission is free.

Details: beersoftheburgh.com

Concert

Green Day will be performing with Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and the Linda Lindas at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at PNC Park. The group is celebrating 30 years of “Dookie,” the band’s breakout album, and 20 years of “American Idiot” on the Saviors Tour.

“American Idiot” was released in 2004 and won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2005. Green Day’s 14th studio album, “Saviors,” was released in January.

The band played last played in Pittsburgh at PNC Park on Aug. 19, 2021.

Lots open at 1:30 p.m. for the concert, Reetz said. Most spots are $50. Fans can reserve spots on Parkwiz.

Tickets start at $29.50.

Details: mlb.com