Fourth of July Fireworks Set to Light Up Downtown Pittsburgh

Your daily guide to firework shows, powerboat races, flying dogs, burger-eating contests and more.

July 1, 2013

PM Staff,

Photo by Jacob Caddy

There’s much more to Three Rivers Regatta week than the nationally ranked fireworks displays and thrilling powerboat races. There are also flying pups, a gourmet burger-eating contest, great tunes, and a life-sized sand sculpture of Lewis and Clark (Instagram it).

In fact, there’s so much cool stuff to do along the river this week that we thought it was only right to provide you with a daily game plan. Where should you watch the July Fourth fireworks? When do the powerboat championship races start? And is that a … beach?! (Yes.) We've got you covered. Be sure to fill in any gaps with shameless indulgence of food, riverside Facebook selfies and/or adult beverages.

Tuesday

Sandsational Exhibit
All day
Watch in utter amazement as the master sculptors of Sandsational mold 150 tons of sand into an art masterpiece displaying America’s pioneering spirit. Someone please take a time-lapse Vine of this going down.
Point State Park; River side by Fort Pitt Block House

Beach 'Burgh
All day, starting at noon
Just like your favorite beach, but with a much better view. Relax with 200 feet of sand, palm trees and children's toys. (Please, please don’t rain.)
Point State Park; Allegheny River Steps

EnviroMural Painting
3 p.m.
Stop by Point State Park Tuesday at 3 p.m. to do a little painting. The Moving the Lives of Kids (MLK) Community Mural Project is crowdsourcing the creation of its new 120-foot EnviroMural. Each participant will get a 6-inch square of canvas to decorate. Stay inside the lines!
Point State Park; Back wall area to the right of the portal bridge, lawn side

The Jersey Four
8 p.m.
An explosive tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons that recaptures many of the group’s original hits. Bring your Brylcreem.
OneMain Financial Main Stage, Point State Park

Wednesday

BMX Bike Stunt Show
2:30 p.m.
Don't miss this 20-minute exhibition of two-wheel trickery. You're guaranteed to utter this at least once: Did he just do that?!
City-Side Lawn, Point State Park

XPOGO “Extreme Pogo” Show
3:30 p.m.
It’s electrifying tricks on high-powered sticks capable of soaring 10 feet in the air. What's not to love?
Point State Park

F-3 Powerboat North American Championship
7 p.m.
The Regatta flexes its muscle as the largest venue on the powerboat circuit. Don't miss the championship round at 7 p.m.
Allegheny River

Wonder-Falls of Light Fireworks Show
9:35 p.m.
Shot from atop the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown, a vibrant spectacle of “close proximity” and cascading-style pyrotechnics.
City-Side Lawn, Point State Park

Thursday

Dragon Boat Races
11 a.m.
Watch 44-foot boats with signature dragon heads race on the strength of human muscle, teamwork and precise timing.
Allegheny River

Marvelous Mutts Dock Dogs
2 p.m.
Champion canines perform four-legged feats, including dives into a 14,000-gallon pool. They deserve the treats. ALL of the treats.
City-Side Lawn, Point State Park

BRGR Eating Contest
5:30 p.m.
Need we say more?
OneMain Financial Main Stage, Point State Park

VIP Fireworks at the Carnegie Science Center
Doors open at 6 p.m.; Fireworks show at 9:35 p.m.
Don’t just watch the fireworks. Watch the fireworks like a boss. The “Flashes of Freedom” Fireworks Fantasia show begins at 9:35 p.m., and you can catch it from many vantage points around the city, but the best seat in the house might be at the Carnegie Science Center. For $39, the science center’s fireworks blowout gets you lawn seating for the show, plus four floors of hands-on exhibits, a live show on the science of fireworks and special patriotic laser show in the Buhl Planetarium. You even get a free popcorn and soda.
Carnegie Science Center