Maybe it’s because the weather was absolutely perfect for an outdoor tailgate on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.

Or maybe it’s because the music of country superstar Kenny Chesney brings people together.

Or maybe it’s because so much of the world shut down over the last two years because of covid-19.

Whatever the reason, the mood outside Heinz Field on Saturday was joyful and celebratory as the crowd spent their days drinking, dancing and playing cornhole while they waited for Chesney to take the stage for the first time in Pittsburgh since 2018.

Crystal Kisner of Shaler has been to six Kenny Chesney concerts. She loves the vibe they bring.

“It’s just a community,” she said. “Everybody is so kind. We’re all here together. We’re all family.

“It’s like Steelers Nation.”

Kisner’s friend, Natalie Vallecorsa, of Franklin Park, said it was especially nice to be out without mask restrictions.

Vallecorsa, who has been to 10 Chesney shows starting when she was in eighth grade, said she thought the lot they were in — Gold Lot 2 along West General Robinson Street — was busier than in years past.

One of the things she enjoys about tailgating is making friends with neighbors. This year, she helped set up a 30th birthday party for the people parked next to them.

In the parking lot across the street, Hudson Speck and his fiance, Madison Troha, both of Brentwood, had befriended a brother and sister from Belle Vernon and spent the afternoon playing cornhole.

Logan Seliga, who is home from college in North Carolina, and his sister, Kenzi, had paired up and were dominating the game.

Speck and Troha didn’t mind, though. Speck, 24, said he loves Chesney’s music and couldn’t wait for the show to start.

“I adore him,” he said.”After being out because of covid, it’s nice to see people together without masks and hugging.

“It’s good to be back to normal.”

Nick Rodi, who lives Downtown, said the Chesney concert is like an escape after two years of covid-19 restrictions.

“It’s nice having the atmosphere back,” he said. “Everybody is so friendly from the time you pull up.”

Better behaved crowd, cleaner parking lot

Kisner observed, too, that several hours into their tailgate, the parking lot was still clean — and not strewn with trash or packed with people fighting — like had occurred in the past.

“It’s probably the best crowd I’ve seen for such a large event,” said David Presuitti, who has been working as a parking lot attendant for 20 years. “Five stars.”

Presuitti was working one of the booths in Gold Lot 1 on Saturday afternoon. For each car that pulled in, the staff provided a garbage bag to the driver to get rid of trash when they were done partying.

“We’ve handed out thousands and thousands,” he said. “This technique of handing out a bag has solved a lot of problems. It sends a message to the people.”

Presuitti said it felt like the groups on Saturday were less rambunctious than in the past.

“It seems like a different crowd. They’re not loud and rowdy and crazy,” he said. “I think everybody’s been cooped up — they’re overdue for a good time.”

Kinsner agreed.

“Everyone is being really respectful,” she said. “We’re happy to be here. The lockdown made us all realize life is short.

“When you have the opportunity to do something awesome, do it and be respectful.”

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