Backdrop Collapses During Pennsylvania Governor's America250 Concert Announcement

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:54:00 +0200

During a Pennsylvania event announcing free concerts to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, a large 'America250PA' backdrop unexpectedly fell, nearly hitting Governor Josh Shapiro, a Benjamin Franklin reenactor, and a woman portraying Betsy Ross. The incident occurred as Shapiro announced the final concert in the Commonwealth Concert Series at Point State Park in Pittsburgh. Despite the scare, no one was hurt, and Shapiro continued with the announcement, revealing acts such as Third Eye Blind, Lady A, The Fray, Cole Swindell, and Gabby Barrett. The events are funded through Pennsylvania’s Marketing to Attract Marquis Events program, totaling $675,000. Shapiro and the reenactors handled the incident with humor, comparing it to a previous near-accident involving former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The concerts are part of broader celebrations leading up to America’s semiquincentennial on July 4, featuring performances across the commonwealth.