The 2005 Hyundai Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta will open in 15 days with powerboat races back on the rivers, classic rock shows on land and, for the finale, a Fourth of July fireworks display that will rock the sky.

Yesterday, regatta officials announced details of the event, running July 1-4, as well as the addition of Hyundai as the new corporate sponsor.

This will be the second year that the Three Rivers Regatta, traditionally held in early August, will take over Point State Park on the Fourth of July weekend. Last year, its producer, U.S. Events and Marketing, moved the event to July in part to help out the financially strapped city, which was trying to find a vendor for its fireworks display.

In 2004, there was no title sponsor; there also were no powerboat races.

In the current scheme, Hyundai is putting up an unspecified amount, the state is chipping in $500,000 and there is no cost to the city, which will be paid for its police, fire and river rescue services.

Allen Kukovich, who runs Gov. Ed Rendell's Western Pennsylvania office, where the news conference was held, said it further benefits the city because "when someone comes to the city for the regatta, odds are better they'll come for other events in the region."

Once again, there will be a $1 charge to enter the park; however, children in strollers and backpacks will get in free.

Robert Petrelli, chairman of the regatta board, said the event drew a total of 300,000 people last summer. The return of the Grand Prix races, long a regatta staple, could bring those numbers up.

"We looked to the folks out there," Petrelli said. "You asked us to bring them back. The powerboats are back."

The regatta race is the third of four in the 2005 ChampBoat Grand Prix Series.

Along with the powerboats, there will be concerts by alternative rock band Everclear (July 1), classic rockers Foreigner (July 2), country singer Joe Nichols (July 3) and the Pittsburgh Symphony, preceding the fireworks (July 4).

New to the regatta is the Bass Team Tournament launching from South Side Riverfront Park on July 2 -- register a two-person boat team on the Web site by June 30. Other highlights include the second annual Fishing Derby and Anything That Floats Race (July 3) and the Flying Scot Sailing Tournament (July 4).

For more details on the Hyundai Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, go to www.threeriversregatta.com or call 412-875-4841.