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ARCHIVE: Star Lake opens in June 1990

Billy Joel performed for a sold-out crowd at the new Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater in Burgettstown, Pa.

ARCHIVE: Star Lake opens in June 1990

Billy Joel performed for a sold-out crowd at the new Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater in Burgettstown, Pa.

by most accounts, the music was great and everyone seemed to be having a good time. That is everyone, except the hundreds of motorists caught in this traffic nightmare. Traffic was so congested on route 22 the main route from Pittsburgh and route 18 that many of these folks never made it to the new Star Lake amphitheater and consequently never got to see the show. We want folks to come here and we, we wanted to be an enjoyable situation, but it was anything but an enjoyable situation for many motorists. At one point, state police say traffic was backed up all the way to the Mcdonald's interchange nearly eight miles away. I believe they were collecting for parking too close to the roadway and things like that. A lot of the people didn't realize that they were going to collect for parking. That was a little problem and now they're trying to get some information out that have your money ready when you pay for parking. That according to police will decrease delays in the parking lots and hopefully get people off the road sooner. In addition, those who run this outdoor amphitheaters say other steps including opening the facility earlier will be taken to ensure those who want to see the show won't be left out in the cold. We're going to allow the people to tailgate. I guess the biggest single thing is HIV HIV high occupancy vehicles of four or more people part free Star Lake will lose $5 on every driver who isn't charged, but officials say it's a small price to pay to help clear up the roads and give the people what they want Tom Medals. W. T. 84 News.
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ARCHIVE: Star Lake opens in June 1990

Billy Joel performed for a sold-out crowd at the new Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater in Burgettstown, Pa.

This month marks 31 years since Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater opened with Billy Joel as its first national act in June 1990.The "Piano Man" opens Star Lake: Watch the report from our WTAE archives in the video player above.Despite multiple name changes, it's always just been "Star Lake" to many Pittsburghers with great memories of nights spent on the lawn watching their favorite artists perform.Anyone who's been there also knows about the traffic. And as you'll see in our report from 1990, those notorious backups have been an issue dating back to the first show.The original Star Lake name remained throughout the 1990s. A series of changes would take place over the next 20 years — from Post-Gazette Pavilion to First Niagara Pavilion to KeyBank Pavilion and S&T Bank Music Park.With the venue now in its fourth decade, the Star Lake name is officially back again — even though, for most people, it never really left.The newly renamed Pavilion at Star Lake will kick off its summer concert season in July, with national touring acts set to rock the amphitheater once again. Here's a list of who's playing Star Lake this year.

This month marks 31 years since Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater opened with Billy Joel as its first national act in June 1990.

The "Piano Man" opens Star Lake: Watch the report from our WTAE archives in the video player above.

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Despite multiple name changes, it's always just been "Star Lake" to many Pittsburghers with great memories of nights spent on the lawn watching their favorite artists perform.

A concert at Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater in 1990
WTAE
A concert at Star Lake in 1990

Anyone who's been there also knows about the traffic. And as you'll see in our report from 1990, those notorious backups have been an issue dating back to the first show.

Star Lake concert traffic in 1990
WTAE
Star Lake concert traffic in 1990

The original Star Lake name remained throughout the 1990s. A series of changes would take place over the next 20 years — from Post-Gazette Pavilion to First Niagara Pavilion to KeyBank Pavilion and S&T Bank Music Park.

With the venue now in its fourth decade, the Star Lake name is officially back again — even though, for most people, it never really left.

The Pavilion at Star Lake
Sky 4
The Pavilion at Star Lake

The newly renamed Pavilion at Star Lake will kick off its summer concert season in July, with national touring acts set to rock the amphitheater once again. Here's a list of who's playing Star Lake this year.