The Pittsburgh Irish Festival celebrates its 20th Anniversary. This event is one of the finest Irish-American festivals, exhibiting Irish music, lore, food, and dance in the region. The Pittsburgh Irish Festival is held the weekend after Labor Day in September at Riverplex between Sandcastle and Waterfront, and draws over 25,000 visitors for the weekend gathering. Audiences will enjoy the performances of Irish music, dance and cultural craft persons, artisans and the Irish history and tradition that exist in Pittsburgh past and present.
Daily entertainment and events for all ages such as: Gaelic Sports, Irish Market Place, Blarney Bingo and an Irish dog area. No need to bring your dog… this area will introduce you to all of the Irish breeds
The young adults can join in for competitive and non-competitive activities in the activity area here there’ll be the “Cliffs of Moher” climbing wall along with trying your hand at the Irish cornhole game.
Get your Irish up and come experience a weekend of family fun.
Here’s King Henry and Queen Anne! They are coming back and will arrive at the castle August 21, 2010. and be here till the last weekend in September. Where’s the castle? Right here just a thirty minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh in Mt. Pleasant.
There lots of fun for everyone in the family from Irish Festivals to a children’s weekend. Then there’s the final weekend with an Oktoberfest!
Delight your palate and sample vintages from local Pennsylvania wineries. Join in for Grape Stomp Competitions to experience wine making from the good old days. Don’t like wine, then how about some good old German beer.
Plus they’ll be plenty of food with medieval rides, games and contests such the “Men in Kilts Contest”. I think there’ll be some real hearty laughs for that one. The Festival will entertain the kids, adults and of course the people that are a little bit of both.
Jousters will compete, the Children's Realm will occupy the young ones and all will enjoy the Crafts Marketplace.
Everyone will enjoy a weekend at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival!
Living Treasures Animal Park is the ultimate place to let your family's animal instincts run wild! The large petting zoo is the thrill of the day for young visitors, while the exotic animals fascinate young and old alike. Bring your camera for those once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities with your favorite animals.
You could spend an entire day learning about the park's 100 species, inlcuding an exotic white tiger. They even allow you to pet and feed some of the animals, which makes for a unique, interactive experience. \
Get up close and make friends with baby Lambs, baby Camels, Sheep, Goats, Pot Belly Pigs, Belted Galloway, Llamas, Yaks and of course Muffin, our miniature Cow with buck teeth! The Park is located in Donegal, about an hour from Pittsburgh.
You can also make arrangements to bring living treasures to you! Treasures Moraine offers a wide variety of traveling exhibits for events ranging from birthday parties to corporate events, parades, photo shoots, festivals, and school programs. Trained staff are supplied for every event. Some shows we commonly done are: Petting Zoos, Pony Rides, Camel Rides, Christmas Parades and Nativities with: Reindeer, Camels, and other desired animals. Photo shoots with reptiles or other animals are available or you can arrange to have staff bring a variety of animals for an educational talk.
Washington County lies in the southern part of Pennsylvania. From exciting professional sports played in an intimate, modern setting to the best locations for the outdoor enthusiast to run wild, adventure awaits you in Washington County.
Follow ribbons of country road to covered bridges, antique shops, restaurants, fairs and festivals, museums and more. Visit Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum of Rural Life in Avella, PA, which provides a glimpse into the lives of North America's prehistoric people. You can handle stone tools and discover ancient hunting techniques at the dig site. You can also learn early methods of wool spinning and weaving, play children's games and pick up some money-savings home restoration tips from a restored 19th century rural village.
Head to the David Bradford House. Built by David Bradford, infamous leader of The Whiskey Rebellion, in 1788, it is Washington County’s finest 18th century home. The house is open May-October for tours and features educational exhibitions and fine antique furniture.
LeMoyne House invites visitors to share a secrety journey. Francis LeMoyne practiced medicine by day and led the abolitionist movement by night. LeMoyne House is the first National Historic Landmark of the Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania.
The Meadows Racetrack and Casino offers a variety of entertainment in one venue. There's eight restaurants, more than 3,700 slots, harness racing, gaming and bowling. Great fun for everyone.
Washington County will "wow" you!
If you need a quiet getaway to a gentle countryside, head to Greene County,located 50 miles south of Pittsburgh in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania. Filled with secluded country roads, stately churches, scenic river trails and charming covered bridges, Greene County is rich in history and tradition. The rolling farmlands and small towns offer a slower, quieter pace in a peaceful setting.
From the unique shopping and dining in historic Waynesburg, to the natural beauty of the trails and woodlands surrounding the Monongahela River, Greene County offers something for everyone. Enjoy the great outdoors with scenic bike rides, hiking and golfing or enjoy the simple pleasure of relaxing at a peaceful bed & breakfast getaway. Tour one of many historic sites or visit a farm.
There are many attractions to discover in Greene County.The Green County Historical Museum is housed in a building that was constructed in the 1860s. There are many artifacts, photographs and historical papers within the museum, as well as picnic areas, trails, a reconstructed log cabin and a one-room schoolhouse on-site.
The Mason-Dixon Historical Park is a recreational facility located on the most famous boundary in America which was completed in 1767. The park commemorates the famous Mason-Dixon Line.
Adventure seekers will love to explore the Warrior and Catawba Trails, outdoor Indian trails that run through the County. The Catawba Trail was used by the Seneca Iroquois in wars against the southern Cherokee and Catawba tribes. The Warrior Trail is a 53-mile East-West trail running from the Monongahela River to the Ohio River, used by Native Americans to obtain necessary supplies for survival, like flint.
With its abundant festivals, events and activities, there is always something fun and interesting for the whole family to enjoy! Sometimes the grass is Greene-er!
Go back in time on an adventure to the past at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival going on weekends Sept. 19 through October 4.
Every weekend is a different theme! Sept. 19-20 is “Wine Revelry,” where visitors can participate in the legendary Grape Stomp Competitions for prizes and enjoy free sampling of some of the finest vintages from local Pennsylvania wineries. Sept. 26-27 is “Celtic Fling,” featuring traditional sounds of Celtic musicians, Scottish pipe bands and madrigal singers throughout the Realm. And don’t miss the “Oktoberfest: A Final Huzzah!” October 3-4, featuring an Oktoberfest celebration and a farewell to the Festival season with German music, dancing and a fun-filled taste of Bavaria.
The Renaissance Festival is great for kids too, providing a fantasy world of gallant knights and magical wizards. The “Children's Realm” offers storytelling, games, face painting, crafts, costumes and special treats.
There’s also a variety of entertainment, including fire-eaters, a hypnotist, jugglers, jousting competitions, musical performances and more. It is eclectic, fun, energizing and one of the most unique festivals you’ll ever go to.
The festival is just 40 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. From downtown follow I-376 East to the PA Turnpike East. Take Exit 75 at New Stanton. Get onto I-70 West to Exit 51A (old 24A) The Festival is 1/4 mile on the right.
September is a big month for festivals and fairs. There is a different festival almost every weekend. Head over the Mellon Park in Shadyside for A Fair in the Park going on September 11-13. Sponsored by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh, this contemporary craft show features more than 100 nationally known crafts artists, live entertainment, good food, glass-blowing demonstrations, hot air balloon rides and hands-on crafts and activities for children. This year is the 40th year for A Fair in the Park. In addition to the vast array of art and craft displays and demonstrations, A Fair in the Park features a concert weekend, a children’s activity and project area and a variety of Pittsburgh’s fabulous foods. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to interact with 105 American Craft artists, working in clay, fiber, wood, jewelry and beadwork, glass, metal and mixed media. A Fair in the Park is an opportunity for the whole family to be creatively involved with recognized local and national artists of all mediums. The event is free to the public.
Sample the culture, music and food of Ireland without needing a passport! Head to the Pittsburgh Irish Festival Sept. 11-13 at the Riverplex at Sandcastle in Homestead. The hours are 4pm-12 midnight on Sept. 11; 11am-12 midnight on Sept. 12 and 9am-6pm on Sept. 13. The festival features traditional/contemporary Irish entertainment, extensive children’s activities, Irish dogs, authentic marketplace and food, and a Gaelic mass. A variety of Irish bands will be performing, including the incredibly talented Gaelic Storm. There’s so much to do at the Irish Festival. Delight in music and dance performances; discover your Irish family tree; have fun with your kids at the children’s arts and crafts center; shop for Irish gifts; meet Pittsburgh’s Irish organizations; watch artisans and historians at work; watch Irish sports or feast on Irish cuisine. Don’t miss the 19th annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival. Get out your green!
Labor Day Weekend is upon us and for most young people the last summer vacation weekend, so below I've listed a few activities to wrap it up.Let's start with the things we have to put away until next year:
Swim and slide at SandCastles as the final weekend begins on September 5 & 6 & 7, they will be open from 10am to 6pm weather permitting on all three days. The city and county pools will also see their final summer weekend as well.
After or before your final dip in the water, head east to the 16th Annual Arts & Crafts Colonial Festival taking place in Greensburg at the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds on September 4, 5, 6, 7. This is one of the highest rated craft show in Pennsylvania, where you'll find indoor and outdoor exhibits, a childrens area and artisans donning period clothing touting their finest wares. Plus a military encampment, musical performances and living history demonstrations.
Then wrap up your weekend by attending the Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade, it takes place Monday @ 10 a.m. starting at Freedom Corner.
Then on Tuesday morning most of us will start working towards our next Labor Day. So everybody get up! It's time to go to school, work, _______. You fill in the blank and have a safe, fun Labor Day Weekend!
**All the city, county,state and federal government offices will be closed on Monday (Labor Day) as well as banks, post offices, and state liquor stores.
For benefit of the Pittsburgh Food Bank, First Commonwealth presents the 15th Annual Blues Festival at Hartwood Acres. Some of the headliners will be Los LoBos, Robert Cray, Cyril Neville & Tribe 13 and more. Bring a bag of non-perishable food on Friday and enjoy the evenings music for free. There is a charge for Saturday and Sunday, but parking is free as well as kids under 12.
The kidZone for family fun and music features face painting, arts & crafts and weekend visits from local mascots. "Blues in the tent" is new this year and will include a history of blues, story telling, and singin' the blues with interactive music presentations. 412.460.blue
Come one, come all...sounds like it's going to be a pretty good benefit.
Good morning! This past weekend, my husband and I ventured to the Three Rivers Arts Festival and had a blast! It was great to see so many people in downtown Pittsburgh enjoying the weather on a warm Saturday. We started at Point State Park, visiting tent after tent of talented artist selling his/her wares, then made a stop at the Fort Pitt Blockhouse to learn a little bit of history. We traveled across the point where Fort Pitt once stood, and made it to the fountain as the wind blew a mist of water our way (thank goodness... It was so hot out!!!)
After taking some photos and stopping just to enjoy the view, we headed back. Grabbed a HUGE snow cone at one of the many food vendor tents to help curb the heat. We crossed the street and spent the rest of the afternoon browsing more and more tents filled with everything from pottery, modern art, country crafts, jewelry... the list goes on!
Afterward, we made our way to Market Square and sat outside sipping coffee, watching the world go by. What a great Saturday in downtown Pittsburgh!
Wow. 50 years of the Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh! Today is the start of the annual arts festival and as always, the clouds are gathering in the sky and threatening rain. But that has never stopped the festival before! 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of this Pittsburgh tradition –a free festival that brings art, crafts, food and music to downtown.
The 2009 festival, which runs June 5-14, brings more than 100 individual events and performances, over 500 artists, fun and entertainment to the city.
Wander to the Point where you can grab a bite to eat in one of the many food vendor tents (chicken fajitas are a yummy recommendation!); enjoy a free concert; explore the artists market; buy special gifts for someone you love; it’s all at the Three Rivers Arts Festival.
The Three Rivers Arts Festival is always a sign of summer. The breezes are cool and soft. Music from one of the daily concerts thrums in the distance. The air has a fresh grilled smoky aroma from the many culinary treats cooking at Point State Park.
So put on your walking shoes, invite your pals and take a stroll to the festival for lunch. Sit for a spell and take in a mini-concert. Buy a hand-made craft that will always remind you of the breezy day you bought it at the Arts Festival.
It’s all good!
This year's Three Rivers Arts Festival has 10 exciting headlining acts each night during the Festival. Starting June 5, downtown is going to rock! Don't miss it.
http://www.artsfestival.net/2009/04/music-headliners.html
Three Rivers Arts Festival is a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
If it's April it must be time for Art All Night 2009. That's right... the 24-hour art marathon is now in its 12 year. The art extravaganza takes place the last weekend in April -- this year April 25-26 at the New Red Warehouse on Smallman and 35th Street in Lawrenceville. The location changes every year, which is half the fun, too.
Everyone is invited to submit one (and only one) piece of art. Last year we had over 800 pieces of art exhibited. Art lovers can actually submit bids to purchase the art that they like -- and make arrangements with the artist to purchase art after the show. And there is some incredibly great art!
And, the annual art show is a "no fee, no censorship, no jury" show, just so you know.
There will also be free beer, live music ALL NIGHT LONG and free food. Did I mention free beer? There will be plenty of kids activities on Saturday, so come early with the little ones. Later, it gets pretty, let's say interesting.
If your bringing art, stop by on Saturday, April 25 from noon to 4 pm to drop off art. You can register online at www.artallnight.org.
The show opens at 6 pm Saturday and runs through 2 pm on Sunday. We're still looking for volunteers so if'n you're interested, go to http://www.artallnight.org/volunteers.html