Latrobe's Steelers Fest attracts fans from all over the country

A sea of black and gold filled the green grass of Legion Keener Park on Friday in Latrobe.

Football fans from across the country turned out for Steelers Fest, the prelude to Friday Night Lights, the annual practice session held at the park by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As visitors made their way to the park, they were welcomed with organized chaos. From food trucks to rock wall climbing, there was something to do on every spot of the field.

Rich Stoughton, his wife, Sue, and their three children, Will, Emily and Steve, stumbled upon Steelers Fest when they decided to follow the crowd.

“We actually didn’t know that this was going on,” Rich said. “We came to buy tickets and saw everybody headed this way and thought we should check it out.”

Tickets selling for $5 — cash only — went on sale at 11 a.m. for the evening practice session.

The Stoughton family has attended Steelers training camp since 2014, and Sue made the executive decision that they would finally attend the Friday Night Lights practice this year.

The Central New Yorkers set aside three or four days each year to make the five-hour drive to Latrobe for training camp. They said they enjoy seeing the players up close, and Emily said she particularly enjoys the free memorabilia that the camp staff hands out.

“Everybody in our area are (Buffalo) Bills fans,” Rich said. “When we come here, it’s neat to be around everybody that’s all black and gold.”

Like the Stoughtons, many other fans made getting tickets for the Friday Night Lights practice a priority. A line began to form in front of the sales table almost an hour before the booth opened.

The air was buzzing with excitement as fans discussed when they would head to the stadium and which players they were hoping to meet. Latrobe police Chief Richard Bosco was handing out junior deputy badges to young fans waiting patiently with their parents to get tickets.

“I am very excited to be here today,” Bosco said. “To be able to reunite with the energy and enthusiasm of the Steelers fans and to be a part of such a great organization — you can feel it. There’s just such an energy. It’s amazing to be here today, enjoying the sunshine and enjoying the people.”

Lee Bowman and his family drove from the Allentown area to attend the practice.

“My son and daughter are huge Steelers fans,” Bowman said. “I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, and I just wanted to come back. And this is the first time we’ve been able to make it to training camp.”

Bowman said he was most excited to get to see some of the Steelers up close and for his son to get some autographs.

Eleven-year-old Kiran Coryen loves football and loves the Pittsburgh Steelers even more. He and his family came from Virginia to be a part of the festivities.

“We want to watch (the Steelers) play and get some autographs,” Coryen said. “It’s just really fun to watch football.”

He had his eye set on getting an autograph from his favorite player, Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Friday’s practice marked a return after three years of canceled practices: two times during the pandemic and once last year when damaging thunderstorms rolled through the region.