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Third Eye Blind and Nelly will headline a free summer concert at Point State Park on June 27, closing out the five-stop America250PA Commonwealth Concert Series.

The big picture: The series joins a packed summer lineup of major events, headline acts and other free shows in the city.

Zoom in: Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the full concert slate in Hershey on Thursday.

'90s rockers Third Eye Blind, known for hits like "Semi-Charmed Life" and rapper Nelly, known for "Hot In Herre," and "Ride Wit Me," will headline the free show June 27 starting at 5pm, with signature beer and cocktails available.

Pennsylvania residents have first access to free tickets at america250pa.org starting at noon April 17, with priority through May 1 before tickets open to the general public.

By the numbers: Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA, told Axios last year she expects crowds at Point State Park's concert to be 20,000-30,000.

Zoom out: Cole Swindell and Gabby Barrett will play State College's Bryce Jordan Center on May 23.

The Fray will play the Erie Insurance Arena on June 6.

The Avett Brothers will play Hershey's Hersheypark Stadium on June 13.

Lady A and En Vogue will play Wilkes-Barre's Kirby Park on June 20.

Context: America's 250th marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Follow the money: Shapiro's 2025-26 budget included $50 million to prepare Pennsylvania for America250 and other major events, including $10 million for Pittsburgh's NFL Draft — aiming to capture an estimated $55 billion in visitor spending throughout the year.

Shapiro announced another $40 million last month to support execution, including $675,000 for the Commonwealth Concert Series through the Marketing to Attract Marquis Events program.

Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show

The show caps a statewide concert series marking America's 250th.

INDIO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Rapper Nelly performs on the Palomino Stage during day 2 of Stagecoach Festival on April 26, 2025 in Indio, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Stagecoach)


Rapper Nelly will play Point State Park this summer. Photo: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Third Eye Blind and Nelly will headline a free summer concert at Point State Park on June 27, closing out the five-stop <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America250PA Commonwealth Concert Series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.america250pa.org/Signature_Events" data-vars-content-id="1e99e61a-08c7-472d-af67-0d71eb8e3516" data-vars-headline="Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.america250pa.org/Signature_Events" target="_blank">America250PA Commonwealth Concert Series</a>.The big picture: The series joins a packed summer lineup of major events, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="headline acts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/nelly-2-chainz-to-headline-north-shore-plaza-shows" data-vars-content-id="1e99e61a-08c7-472d-af67-0d71eb8e3516" data-vars-headline="Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/26/nelly-2-chainz-to-headline-north-shore-plaza-shows" target="_self">headline acts</a> and other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="1e99e61a-08c7-472d-af67-0d71eb8e3516" data-vars-headline="Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-concerts-wiz-khalifa-kane-brown-pittsburgh" target="_self">free shows</a> in the city.

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Point State Park Fountain in full glory. Photo: Chrissy Suttles/Axios

Point State Park Fountain in full glory. GIF: Chrissy Suttles/Axios

Point State Park's iconic fountain is flowing a month early — fresh off the park's multimillion-dollar makeover — as Pittsburgh prepares to show off for NFL Draft crowds later this month.

Why it matters: The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' $3.4 million Point State Park renovation finished ahead of schedule late last year, readying the 36-acre site for a bevy of big events, including the draft and the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations in July.

Driving the news: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders on Tuesday to celebrate the improvements, ceremonially firing up the 51-year-old fountain for the season.

Zoom in: Point State Park operations manager Jake Weiland said the $3.4 million was used to modernize the fountain's electrical and mechanical systems, replacing switchboards and wiring, and to install 270 LED lights. The old system was last upgraded close to a decade ago, he said.

"Technology had passed us by, and we were having a difficult time managing that lighting system and making repairs because it was so outdated," he said.

That means the fountain will no longer have color options — only white, Weiland said.

Other upgrades include new hardscape along walkways; native plants, such as sumacs, throughout the lawn; and tweaks to the park's lighting, flag bastion and parking lot.

What they're saying: "I do have to emphasize it's not just for the tourists; it's for all of us," said County Executive Sara Innamorato. "When I talk about Downtown revitalization and investments we're making … I always say 'yinzers deserve nice things.'"

Context: The fountain was off last season during construction, which also relocated events such as the city's 4th of July celebration. Park staff typically turn on the fountain each May in time for the Pittsburgh Marathon.

The big picture: The facelift is part of Gov. Josh Shapiro's broader 10-year, $600 million plan to revitalize Downtown.

Shapiro has pledged $33 million more for long-term upgrades at Point State Park. Plans are still early, but construction could begin in 2028, said DCNR secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.

If you go: The fountain is open through fall — typically from around 8am to 10pm — with extended hours for big events like the NFL Draft, Weiland said.

Point State Park fountain roars back after renovation

Point State Park's iconic fountain is flowing again — fresh off a makeover.

City fountain shoots a tall jet into a reflective pond, spraying mist that forms a rainbow. A downtown skyline with tall buildings and a bright blue sky looms in the background.

<figure><img alt="Point State Park Fountain in full glory. Photo: Chrissy Suttles/Axios" height="449" id="dba8500d-0def-415c-a9a5-99306f5dbd9f" src="https://images.axios.com/keCmfKKMutW1UpN9TzRNW8s2VNI=/2026/04/07/1775598300349.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Point State Park Fountain in full glory. GIF: Chrissy Suttles/Axios</figcaption></figure>Point State Park&#x27;s iconic fountain is flowing a month early — fresh off the park&#x27;s multimillion-dollar makeover — as Pittsburgh prepares to show off for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NFL Draft" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/18/pittsburgh-ready-nfl-draft-2026-crowds-logistics" data-vars-content-id="3b8c75ad-4c6b-4da1-ac8e-c362359adf31" data-vars-headline="Point State Park fountain roars back after renovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/18/pittsburgh-ready-nfl-draft-2026-crowds-logistics" target="_self">NFL Draft</a> crowds later this month.Why it matters: The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources&#x27; $3.4 million Point State Park renovation finished ahead of schedule late last year, readying the 36-acre site for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bevy of big events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/05/pittsburgh-2026-nfl-draft-world-cup-arts" data-vars-content-id="3b8c75ad-4c6b-4da1-ac8e-c362359adf31" data-vars-headline="Point State Park fountain roars back after renovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/05/pittsburgh-2026-nfl-draft-world-cup-arts" target="_self">bevy of big events</a>, including the draft and the nation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/whats-on/commemorating-americas-250th/" data-vars-content-id="3b8c75ad-4c6b-4da1-ac8e-c362359adf31" data-vars-headline="Point State Park fountain roars back after renovation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/whats-on/commemorating-americas-250th/" target="_blank">250th anniversary</a> celebrations in July.

Development

Draft week traffic gridlock is coming, but Bike Pittsburgh's "Bike the Draft" guide has tips to beat it.

Why it matters: Crowds, road closures and pricey parking will hit Downtown and the North Shore later this month.

Bike Pittsburgh and some city leaders say skipping the car will save time and headaches.

Map of Pittsburgh with red boundary closures by Point State Park, red Xs for closed roads, and many green bike icons along routes near the Warhol Museum and David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

BikePGH's interactive map charts routes, detours, bike parking and more. Screenshot: Courtesy of BikePGH

Zoom in: The nonprofit (BikePGH), with support from Visit Pittsburgh, launched a resource guide mapping routes, detours, bike parking and safety tips.

The guide connects regional trails to safer on-street routes and points riders to convenient places to park nearby.

It maps routes to and around the North Shore, with clear detours and navigation tips for closures and busy areas.

It highlights secure, easy-to-find bike parking and explains how to lock up properly.

It also covers biking basics, trip planning, and how to access Pittsburgh's bikeshare program.

Case in point: Don't use the Penn Avenue bike lane between 9th and Stanwix — it's closed during the draft. Instead, use the Riverfront Trail.

What they're saying: "Major events like this can overwhelm our streets with cars fast," said BikePGH executive director Scott Bricker. "Many neighborhoods are just a short ride away using our extensive bike network and trails, so this is a great time to give car-free transportation a try."

New guide helps fans bike the NFL Draft

Routes, parking and safety tips make biking to draft events easier.

Draft week traffic gridlock is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="coming" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/25/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-transportation-tips-road-closures-parking" data-vars-content-id="a8a70f7d-ceff-4381-b9bf-d4e54641df8d" data-vars-headline="New guide helps fans bike the NFL Draft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/25/nfl-draft-pittsburgh-transportation-tips-road-closures-parking" target="_self">coming</a>, but Bike Pittsburgh&#x27;s &quot;Bike the Draft&quot; guide has tips to beat it.Why it matters: Crowds, road closures and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pricey parking" data-vars-click-url="https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/hundreds-of-parking-spaces-open-in-pittsburgh-for-nfl-draft-averaging-87-a-day/" data-vars-content-id="a8a70f7d-ceff-4381-b9bf-d4e54641df8d" data-vars-headline="New guide helps fans bike the NFL Draft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/hundreds-of-parking-spaces-open-in-pittsburgh-for-nfl-draft-averaging-87-a-day/" target="_blank">pricey parking</a> will hit Downtown and the North Shore later this month.

Transit

An immigrants' rights group is leading a 130-mile trek from Pittsburgh to the Northeast's largest ICE detention center.

Why it matters: Organizers are taking their message by foot into Central Pennsylvania, through rural and often conservative areas where immigration debates play out differently than in cities.

Driving the news: Frontline Dignity kicked off an eight-day walk Sunday from the South Side ICE office to Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Clearfield County. The route spans shoulders, sidewalks, backroads and more.

Walkers will at times hit nearly 30 miles a day, culminating in an April 12 vigil outside the ICE facility.

Context: Founded last year by Pittsburgher Jaime Martinez, Frontline Dignity is building a rapid-response network of legal observers to document ICE activity and support immigrant families.

It now has more than 1,000 volunteers across six counties and has trained roughly 2,500 people.

Zoom in: Martinez tells Axios his own 1,000-mile, two-month Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, alongside historic civil rights marches, planted the seed for the journey.

He says residents along the route have already stepped up.

What they're saying: "I had people coming up to me saying, 'I'll open my restaurant to you,' 'I have an Airbnb you guys can stay at,' 'I have a barn.' I think it's important to amplify that. Too often, people feel like no one wants to help. It's a very individualistic society, but, in reality, people do want to help," he says.

By the numbers: The walk, dubbed "Frontline on Foot," also serves as a fundraiser to expand Frontline Dignity's network and services, with a goal of  $133,000. It had raised $25,000 as of Monday afternoon.

How it works: Participants will sleep in homes, churches, community spaces, camps and more along the way. Anyone can join for portions of the trip.

They're accompanied by a friend traveling by car, helping map out the route and offering snacks, water, and other essentials during rests.

State of play: The privately run Moshannon Valley Processing Center, which holds about 1,900 detainees, has faced criticism over complaints of civil rights abuses and detainee deaths, Spotlight PA and WHYY report.

ICE in previous statements has said it's "committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments."

Clearfield County will make $1 million over five years as ICE's intermediary with the facility's private operator, but it faces growing pressure not to renew its contract as it rounds out its final year, per Spotlight PA.

ICE detainees in the Pittsburgh region are often transferred to Moshannon to await immigration hearings.

The bottom line: The walk aims to connect with people beyond the usual advocacy circles and take moments for personal reflection, Martinez says.

Advocates trek 130 miles to ICE facility

Frontline Dignity is trekking 130 miles to raise awareness and funds.

Two young protesters walk along a street, one in a blue jacket with a reflective vest, smiling with a cup, the other holding a sign about dignity; others and cars in the background.

Jaime Martinez (right) leads a small group from Monroeville United Methodist Church to Armstrong County on Day 2 of a 130-mile trek. Photo: Chrissy Suttles/Axios

An immigrants&#x27; rights group is leading a 130-mile trek from Pittsburgh to the Northeast&#x27;s largest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE detention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/09/trump-immigration-shift-ice-detentions-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="bd19ac59-c89d-48c8-9eab-9ac24764f30e" data-vars-headline="Advocates trek 130 miles to ICE facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/09/trump-immigration-shift-ice-detentions-pittsburgh" target="_self">ICE detention</a> center.Why it matters: Organizers are taking their message by foot into Central Pennsylvania, through rural and often conservative areas where immigration debates play out differently than in cities.

Kennywood is leaning into its history this year with fresh spins on old favorites, including a limited-time Potato Patch-inspired menu, plus two new dining spots.

Dig in: Celebrate Kennywood Weekends — a new festival running each weekend from April 18-May 10 — will feature sweet and savory offerings such as pulled-pork–topped Potato Patch fries, rosemary truffle fries, and maple-cinnamon sweet-potato waffle fries with cinnamon sugar, mallow cream and maple glaze.

Try the Irish nachos piled with corned beef, beer cheese and pickled red onions, or the white-chocolate sweet-potato cupcakes with pie spice and brown sugar butter cream.

Yes, but: Classic Potato Patch fries aren't going anywhere.

Visitors will find two new eateries at the park.

Centennial Grill will replace Primanti's in Lost Kennywood, returning cheesesteaks to the menu. 

The Big Dipper ice cream stand, near Noah's Ark, pays tribute to the park's Dipper coaster that ran until 1984 and will serve ice cream, banana splits and other treats.

Side-by-side food collage: left is a pulled pork sandwich with crispy fries and melted cheese sauce in branded paper, right is a cupcake with white swirled frosting topped with bacon bits.

Pulled-pork–topped Potato Patch fries and white-chocolate sweet-potato cupcakes. Photos: Chrissy Suttles/Axios

Zoom out: You'll see nostalgic photo ops across the park, pairing today's views with bygone scenes, plus a historic walkthrough at Kennywood Junction and competitive park trivia at Kennyville Stage.

"We're looking back on our history to inform what we're doing in the future," says Taylor Bulischeck, Kennywood's director of marketing.

State of play: It's the attraction's first full season under Herschend, the world's largest family-run theme park operator and Dollywood co-owner, which purchased Palace Entertainment's parks last year.

If you go: The park opens weekends April 18, then daily starting May 22.

Kennywood gets creative with Potato Patch fries

New toppings like pulled pork and truffle reinvent the classic fries.

Triptych of Kennywood-wrapped foods. Left: crispy orange fried chicken bites with white sauce and marshmallows. Center: sandwich with pale sauce and pink onion rings. Right: meat-filled sandwich in a bun.

Try the maple-cinnamon sweet-potato waffle fries, Irish nachos, or cheesesteaks. Photos: Chrissy Suttles/Axios

Kennywood is leaning into its history this year with fresh spins on old favorites, including a limited-time Potato Patch-inspired menu, plus two new dining spots.Dig in: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Celebrate Kennywood Weekends" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kennywood.com/press/kennywood-to-kick-off-2026-season-with-all-new-event-celebrate-kennywood-weekends/" data-vars-content-id="d8a61bd1-6ab1-429a-b557-3379f52850bd" data-vars-headline="Kennywood gets creative with Potato Patch fries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kennywood.com/press/kennywood-to-kick-off-2026-season-with-all-new-event-celebrate-kennywood-weekends/" target="_blank">Celebrate Kennywood Weekends</a> — a new festival running each weekend from April 18-May 10 — will feature sweet and savory offerings such as pulled-pork–topped Potato Patch fries, rosemary truffle fries, and maple-cinnamon sweet-potato waffle fries with cinnamon sugar, mallow cream and maple glaze.

Chrissy Suttles

Featured stories

New guide helps fans bike the NFL Draft

Third Eye Blind, Nelly to headline free Point State Park show

Kennywood gets creative with Potato Patch fries

Point State Park fountain roars back after renovation

Advocates trek 130 miles to ICE facility