Some fans treated by EMS, taken to hospital at Kenny Chesney tailgate

Twenty-two people were taken to a hospital Saturday for issues stemming from tailgating on Pittsburgh’s North Shore before the Kenny Chesney concert, according to city police.

Paramedics treated 52 people. None of the patients were critical, according to public information officer Maurice Matthews. The reasons for hospitalizations and transports were unclear. He said he was not notified of any major incidents or arrests during the event outside Heinz Field.

Jubilant tailgaters returned to parking lots to celebrate the country music superstar’s return to Pittsburgh by drinking, dancing and playing cornhole. It was Chesney’s first time taking the stage in the city since 2018.

Fans expressed excitement over the concert’s return after two years of covid-19 restrictions. Many of the tailgaters noticed that parking lots remained clean several hours after fans descended on them. Each vehicle in at least one of the parking lots was provided with a garbage bag to clean up when they were done partying.

Police began cracking down on rowdy crowds after a 2013 Chesney concert when 70 people were arrested, 150 were treated by paramedics and 30 tons of garbage were removed from the area.

By 2016, officials touted improvements and fewer arrests and medical issues. Two years later, police said there were less unruly fans and it was a mostly safe and successful event.