In Pittsburgh, summer is spelled R-E-G-A-T-T-A.

That means boat racing, music, fireworks and more -- three days of free entertainment for all ages.

This year, the city continues its Independence Day tradition with the 32nd annual Three Rivers Regatta at Point State Park and the North Shore.

The festivities, Friday through Sunday, will include performances by bands such as Three Dog Night and Donora, a tightrope walk above the Allegheny River by Nik Wallenda and many water and boat shows.

"We really tried to beef it up with some spectacular entertainment," said Regatta spokesman Michael Dongilli, who expects more than 350,000 people to attend.

Since its inception in the late 1970s, the event has evolved into the largest inland regatta this country has ever seen, Dongilli said.

Also featured in this year's lineup is a freestyle motocross show, a climbing wall and kids zones, and the popular "Anything That Floats" race of homemade boats.

• Three Rivers Regatta Event Schedule

• Three Rivers Regatta Events Map

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From powerboat races to water ski stunts, year after year the main attractions at the Regatta are the water shows.

This year shouldn't be any different, said Dongilli. "Powerboats are a big draw here."

Professional powerboat drivers will race on the Allegheny River at speeds up to 120 mph. On Friday, practice rounds will be from 12:30 to 6 p.m. On Saturday, the time trials will be 12:30 p.m., qualifiers at 3:15 p.m. and finals at 6 p.m.

Jet ski performers such as eight-time world freestyle champion Eric Malone will take to the waves in water ski stunt shows Friday and Saturday. Fans can expect to see flips, underwater dives and other freestyle tricks. They will also have the opportunity to meet the riders and receive autographs and photos.

There will be nonstop music all three days onthe Point Park Stage.

Music legend Three Dog Night will headline at 8 p.m. Saturday. Fans can dance and sing along to the band's hits, including "Joy to the World," "Shambala" and "Black and White." The group, made up of Cory Wells, Danny Hutton, Jimmy Greenspoon, Michael Allsup and Pat Bautz, has been performing for nearly four decades.

Local groups will perform throughout the day at the Point starting at noon Friday, 1:15 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

On the North Shore, the Air Force National Guard Band will play at 8:30 p.m. Friday and the Army National Band at 8 p.m. Saturday.

It has never been done, but that's never stopped Nik Wallenda before. The high-wire world record holder will attempt a 1,000-foot-long tightrope walk 200 feet above the Allegheny River at 7 p.m. Friday.

Wallenda, who holds two Guinness World Records, comes from a family of world record holders made up of acrobats, jugglers and animal trainers, and is the descendant of the legendary Karl Wallenda, pioneer of the high-wire human pyramid.

Regatta organizers promise that this year's Fourth of July fireworks show will out-Ooh and out-Ahh all the rest.

"Flashes of Freedom" Fireworks Fantasia is produced by Pyrotecnico, a New Castle-based company with a 120-year history that is renowned for its innovation and award-winning fireworks shows. The show will start at 9:35 p.m., run for 25 minutes and feature 22,000 fireworks devices.

Between the water events, Regatta-goers can check out the Climbing Wall Challenge, interactive kids games and inflatables, and AAA "Rollover Crash Simulator" on Federal Street on the North Shore.

On the Clemente Bridge, the Army National Guard will man the Military Zone, where there will be dog tag designers and video games.

On the North Shore lawn area, strolling performers will entertain throughout the Regatta.