"Red, White and You" was the theme of the opening party for this year's Three Rivers Regatta.

Board members including chairman John Bonassi mingled with major sponsors (Clear Channel, Equitable Resources, Heinz Field, PNC Park, Pearle Vision, Southwest Airlines, Geico and others), F1 boat drivers and guests in a tent erected on the River Walk behind PNC Park.

The rains came and left just as quickly on July 3 after a full day of regatta activities, failing to put a damper on the party or any of the events that preceded it.

Some 150 VIPs sampled fare from Yes We Cater and applauded the recipients of the Roddey Grants (named in honor of longtime board member Jim Roddey, who rehabilitated the regatta 10 years ago).

Honored were CleanWays, Venture Outdoors, Three Rivers Ecological Research Center and Three Rivers Rowing. The grants are awarded to nonprofits that do river- or stream-related events, clean-up, studies of ecology, education and river water quality improvement.

Making waves under the big top were Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson with Tami, Matt Drozd, George Dodworth of Lightwave International, Mike Schriefer, president of F1 ChampBoat Series, Bill Flanagan and Ann Devlin, Rhonda Zegrelli of Clear Channel, John Kirk, Mike Pihakis, John Brosky, Don Korb, Joe Kirk and ISM/USA president Mike Fetchko with Mary Beth.