Don't let the naysayers ruin NFL draft week, local leaders tell Axios.

Why it matters: The massive sporting event — estimated to attract 500,000+ tourists and locals over three days — is dividing Pittsburghers and many are wary of disruptions to their daily routines.

Context: Some locals are opting out of draft week, proudly vowing to skip town or hunker down from April 23–25, when the North Shore and Downtown host the event.

• They fear that gridlock, road closures and packed streets will snarl the region's roads.
• "Why would anyone want to attend the NFL Draft? What's the appeal? It sounds like a logistical nightmare. … What's the payoff?" Pens reporter Josh Yohe wrote on X.

What they're saying: Allegheny County Councilwoman at-large Bethany Hallam hears the complaints, but wants yinzers to break out of their doom loop to enjoy all the free events the draft has to offer.

• "This is the coolest free thing you are going to see in your lifetime here in Pittsburgh," she said.

Zoom in: Hallam is a diehard sports fan, but is most looking forward to the free concert (Wiz Khalifa and Bret Michaels) at the draft campus and the paid shows (Nelly, 2 Chainz and DJ Steve Aoki) at PNC Plaza.

Friction point: While traffic appears to be the chief concern of skeptics, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato sought to ease anxieties.

• She said major arteries coming into Downtown will see congestion and suggests taking light rail and special draft buses for free.
• She expects traffic to be worse late at night when crowds leave at once, but doesn't expect congestion to spill very far.
• "If you live in the suburbs and you're trying to get to the grocery store, it'll probably be fine."

Flashback: The Three Rivers Regatta brought a record 850,000 people to Point State Park and the North Shore over three days in 2017.

• No major disruptions were documented from that event.

The bottom line: Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor acknowledged travel to the draft will take some extra time, but said the experience will be worth it.

• "There are so many activities that we should be celebrating in our city and you are part of it. This is for us."

We want to hear from you. Reply to this email with your draft takes!

Go deeper

The NFL draft will pack the North Shore and Downtown with activity, but there's plenty to do this week beyond the football frenzy.

Zoom in: From a Pop-Tart sacrifice to a giant rubber duck and art, music and food festivals, here's what fans and tagalongs can expect outside the draft campus.

• Official Draft Watch Party | Thursday | 5pm | Pittsburgh Brewing Co. | $15
• Pitt Block Party | Thursday-Saturday | 9am-6pm | Arts Landing | Free
• PicksBURGH Music Crawl | Days, times, locations and prices vary
• Nelly, 2 Chainz and Steve Aoki | Days, times and prices vary | Plaza at North Shore
• World's Largest Rubber Duck | Tuesday-Wednesday | 10 Foster Plaza, Green Tree | Free
• Terry Bradshaw Bottle Signing | Wednesday | 5-7pm | Fine Wine & Good Spirits, Strip District | $80 bottle purchase, limited availability
• Draft Kickoff Party | Wednesday | 4-7pm | Bakery Square | $10
• Woofles Pup Draft | Wednesday | 4-9pm | AHN Montour Sports Complex | $12.50
• Cocoapreneur Market | Thursday-Saturday | 9am-4pm | Greenwood Plan | Free
• Pop-Tarts Edible Mascot Sacrifice | Friday | Doors at 1pm | Nova Place | Free
• Women Who Rock Draft Pop-Up | Tuesday-Saturday | Times vary | Piatt Place | Free

Pro tip: To take home an off-the-beaten-path Pittsburgh story, visit Andy Warhol's grave at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Bethel Park, or see some of the original "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" puppets at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.

Four more events

🏛️ Pittsburgh City Council approved budget changes that included cuts to a food justice program among about $30 million spending shifts. Changes came after the budget was reopened to address a shortfall. (WESA)

🎥 "Hall of Fame High," a documentary about the storied Aliquippa High School football program, will premiere on Wednesday from 6pm-8:30pm at the Heinz History Center.

• Aliquippa native and Hall of Famer Ty Law will attend. Watch the trailer here.

🥶 A freeze watch was issued for yesterday, with temperatures expected to threaten plants and early blooms. (TribLive)

📺 Season 2 of "The Pitt" has averaged 15.4 million viewers to date across all episodes. That's a 50% improvement compared to last season. (Variety)

The NFL draft will crown a mascot champion.

The intrigue: The "Great Pennsylvania Mascot Race" will pit Steely McBeam, Swoop the Philadelphia Eagles mascot, Roc the Pitt Panther and the Penn State Nittany Lion in a 40-yard dash for eternal glory.

Zoom in: Punxsutawney Phil, the real-life groundhog, will be on hand to predict a winner before the race, according to a press release.

Between the lines: It's all part of Visit PA's marketing push to hype up the state's massive sports year.

• "This is our chance to introduce the Steel City to a global audience and turn first-time visitors into lifelong fans," said Pennsylvania tourism secretary Anne Ryan.

If you go: Point State Park in the draft campus.

• Thursday at 4pm.
• Register with the NFL One Pass app beforehand to gain free entry into the draft.

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