For the first time since 2019, Pirates fans walked through the gates of PNC Park Thursday to catch the team's home opener.
The team opened the park at 25 percent capacity, allowing for about 7,500 fans.
Fans were on the North Shore early Thursday morning, including Brian and Anita Smith, who say they rarely miss an opening day.
"We were coming every year before COVID, and we really missed it last year," Anita Smith said. "We're season ticket holders. Just to come back for a home opener just feels like a return to normalcy."
Fans also lined a closed Federal Street into the afternoon. With clear skies and temperatures in the upper 70's, some came down early for a drink or lunch at a North Shore restaurant.
Grant Tyman said it's a tradition for him and his friends to meet on Federal Street before a Pirate game for a drink.
"It's just great to be outside," he said. "To me, baseball is the start of summer. I just enjoy being out in the sun. I can't believe it's 80 degrees. That's shocking for how many times I've been here in a winter coat. I just like baseball in general and just being outside in the sun."
The biggest event on the North Shore in over a year, Thursday's home opener also provided a boost for restaurants near the stadium.
Mike Sukitch owns Mike's Beer Bar and North Shore Tavern on Federal Street. Both restaurants saw a busy lunch rush.
"It's great to see some people that we haven't seen since two baseball seasons ago," he said. "We have a lot of regulars who are baseball regulars, and so people are really excited."
The Pirates home opener coincided with relaxed bar and restaurant restrictions in Pennsylvania, which took effect Sunday. Restaurants can operate at 75 percent indoor capacity and serve alcohol without food.