Three Rivers Regatta Mixes New Attractions, Old Favorites

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
18 June 2014
By Kate Mishkin

Next month’s 37th annual Three Rivers Regatta will offer plenty of new events mixed in with old favorites to draw an expected half-million spectators July 2-4 at the Point.

Besides Pogopalooza — an international championship of extreme pogo-stick action — the regatta will play host to its first intercollegiate sailing competition.

From 3 to 6 p.m. July 3, the sailing event will include six boats with four teams, including those from University of Pittsburgh and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Officials held a news conference today to announce plans for the Three Rivers Regatta.

“What’‍s really neat is [IUP] and Pitt have brand new sailing clubs, so it’s new for them, and sailing on the river is an exciting venue,” said Joe Kirk, regatta vice chairman, Wednesday at a news conference announcing new details about the event.

A challenge was recruiting college athletes when school is out of session, but Mr. Kirk still is reaching out to various institutions, he said.

Jim Roddey, a former county executive and experienced sailor, will be commentator for the event.

Pogopalooza will draw 20 to 30 athletes from around the world for the international competition doing flips and tricks on extreme pogo sticks that can bounce as high as 10 feet. There also will be a designated area where Xpogo members will offer free pointers and people can give the pogo sticks a try.

“It’ll be the biggest event in the U.S.,” XPogo cofounder Nick McClintock said. “Crowds loved us last year.”

Steve Augeri, former lead vocalist for Journey, will perform at 8 p.m. July 3 on the main stage at Point State Park.

The regatta also will feature the F-2 North American Powerboat Championships for the fifth time and will close with “Flashes of Freedom Fireworks” by Zambelli Fireworks on July 4. Many other favorites — Frisbee dog shows, Anything That Floats and crew racing — also will return.

Sandsational, a group that creates sand sculptures using 150 tons of sand and water, will perform its magic for a fourth year.

“We have these fans. People are asking about us,” said Sandsational president Jill Harris, who with three other sculptors will build the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Fort McHenry, which inspired the writing of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

For a full schedule of regatta events and other information go to http://www.threeriversregatta.net.

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