Swifties gather on Pittsburgh's North Shore for pre-concert 'Tay-gating' parties
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Jun. 16—The day has finally arrived.
The day that Swifties have been waiting months for — Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" comes to Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh's North Shore.
Fans began arriving early, even thought the parking lots weren't scheduled to open until 1:30 p.m.
And most gates opened at 4:30 p.m.
Yet, Swifties will not be denied.
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Fans showed off their Taylor-themed outfits while Tay-gating Friday in Pittsburgh before the concert.
Maggie Bland, 18, and Ollie Dietrich, 18 of Fairfax, Virginia inspired their outfits from Swift's Folklore and Lover Eras.
Tay-gators Mikey Knochel of Brighton Heights and Dan Fiori of Plum mingled in their Taylor-themed outfits between rain showers Friday before the Taylor Swift concert.
"We're shooting for 1989-that Era. I've been a fan since high school," Knochel said.
Ashley Aiello, 27, of Bethel Park also wore a Taylor-themed outfit Friday on her way to Tay-gating. Aiello is attending both shows.
Chelsey Daugherty of Muncie, Indiana displayed a pair of shoes she made for the concert while Tay-gating in Lot 5 outside of Acrisure Stadium Friday.
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Fans came prepared to exchange friendship braceletes on the North Shore, which has been a common theme throughout Swift's tour. Brooke Patridge, 16 of Nashua, New Hamphsire and Emily Schick, 16 of Fairfax, Virginia explained just how important this moment is to them.
"We've been planning this for months," Patridge said. "I made 150 friendship bracelets."
Doug and Celeste Lisko of Colombus, Ohio exhanged their frienship braceletes with Nick Pulinski and Rachel Jennetti of Buffalo, New York outside of Acrisure Stadium as well.
Olivia Hill, 12, of West Leechburg traded friendship bracelets and showed off her glitter heart-shaped eye while Tay-gating Friday in Pittsburgh.
Sisters Frankie, 9, and Gabi, 8, Yuko of Cleveland braved the late afternoon rainstorms Friday as they traded friendship bracelets.
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After a morning of rainfall, the sun started shining and Swifties started flooding the streets surrounding Acrisure Stadium.
The sidewalks were crowded with fans as early as 12:00 p.m. on General Robinson Street at Champions Garage.
"Parking (425 spaces) has been sold out for months," said John Collins, Champions Garage director of parking operations.
As of 4:15 p.m. Friday, traffic heading towards Acrisure Stadium was backed up beyond the Etna exit off of Route 28.
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Merchandise trucks opened to fans just before 11:30 a.m. outside of the stadium along Art Rooney Avenue, and at Gates A and C.
Fans started lining up as early as 4:30 a.m. Friday to get their hands on some merchandise.
"It was literally 'midnight rain' for us," said Mercedes Maurer, waiting in line with her childhood friend Melanie Moye of North Canton.
The rain didn't stop Swifties from getting their gear.
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Among the early birds, sisters Lucia Bennett, 15, Grace Bennett, 17 and Taylor Bennett, 25, made the trip down from Erie.
On Friday morning, they were "bejeweled" outside the stadium.
"This is my childhood dream coming true," said Taylor Bennett. "Taylor Swift is who we jam to together in the car."
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Related:
—Taylor Swift fans seeing red over Eras Tour ticket prices
—Here's how to score Taylor Swift merchandise at Acrisure Stadium
—Taylor Swift fans seeing red over Eras Tour ticket prices
—Taylor Swift concert: What to know before you go
—How rare are Taylor Swift's 2 sellouts? Promoter Rich Engler has never seen it before
—There's something about Taylor Swift: Fans explain singer's mass appeal
—A lavender haze: Businesses anticipate Taylor Swift windfall that could 'blow Kenny Chesney out of the water'
—Taylor Swift's early show in Western Pa. recalled by Pittsburgh singer
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Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce by email at jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .
