Strawberries, ribs, arts, history, crafts, music, ribs, neighborhoods ... and more ribs. You can build a successful festival around any of them, as the following list shows.
 |
 |
|
Amanda Schneider, the "balloon woman," is attacked by a tattooed 5-year-old who thinks she is a giant raspberry at last year's Three Rivers Arts Festival. (Matt Freed, Post-Gazette) |
MAY
PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL: International children's performers, paddleboat rides, petting zoo and more. West Park/Allegheny Center, North Side (through May 18). 412-321-5520.
ELLSWORTH AVENUE STREET FAIR: Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside (May 16-18).
NATIONAL ROAD FESTIVAL: Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown (May 17-18). 724-329-5512.
FORT PITT MUSEUM COLONIAL FAIR: Military encampments, lectures and performances. Fort Pitt Museum, Point State Park (May 17-18). 412-281-9284.
BEDFORD 1776: Revolutionary War re-enactment. Old Bedford Village, Bedford (May 17-18). 800-238-4347.
PITTSBURGH FOLK FESTIVAL: Performances and cuisine by local and national ethnic groups. Heinz Field (May 23-25). 412-278-1267.
PENN'S COLONY MAY MARKET: 100 artists and craftsmen with an emphasis on new decorating ideas for the summer home and garden. St. Vincent College, near Latrobe (May 23-25). 412-487-6922.
PENNSYLVANIA ARTS & CRAFTS COUNTRY FESTIVAL: Fayette County Fairgrounds, Uniontown (May 23-26). 724-863-4577.
ANTIQUES ON THE SQUARE: Bedford (May 24).
THE BIG TRI-STATE AREA SWAP MEET: Washington County Fairgrounds (May 24-25). 724-225-7718.
BILL SELES' MEMORIAL DAY POLKA FESTIVAL: Featuring Fred Gregarich and the Del Fi's, George Staiduhar, Frank Stanger, Gaylord Klancnik, Bob Kravos, Bob Zolka and special guests Walter Ostanek and Hank Thunander. Seven Springs Mountain Resort (May 24-26). 800-797-5440.
COLONIAL MARKET FAIR: Crafts, food, re-enactments. Old Bedford Village, Bedford (May 24-26). 814-623-2233.
 |
|
| |
Hot Picks
HISTORY FAIRS
History jumps off the pages of the textbooks at a number of regional events and festivals. From historical re-enactments to festivals that celebrate the arts and crafts of bygone times, visitors come away with a deeper sense of our area's past and heritage. It's a way to learn about events that shaped the country and the region, including the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War and Civil War.
Things get under way this weekend with the Fort Pitt Museum Colonial Fair at Point State Park Saturday and Sunday. The Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival runs for six weekends, starting Aug. 16.
And there are regular history events throughout the summer at Fort Necessity National Battlefield near Uniontown and Old Bedford Village in Bedford.
HAPPY HOUR PARTIES
Music fans of several genres can wind down after the work week with the monthly T.G.I.F. Happy Hour Party at Chevrolet Amphitheatre, Station Square.
If you're a fan of tribute bands -- or the bands they're paying tribute to, there's a good lineup this year at Fake Fest III: Atomic Punks (Van Halen), Zoo Station (U2), Teen Spirit (Nirvana), Mr. Nice Guy (Alice Cooper) and others on June 13.
Or if you're feeling nostalgic for the disco era, Disco Inferno and Dancing Queen will be shaking things up on July 11. Jimmy Buffett fans can head for Margaritaville with Parrot Island Party III on Aug. 8.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and admission is $5.
BEAVER ARTS
The Three Rivers Arts Festival isn't the only one to celebrate the arts in a big way. Our neighbors in Beaver County have the Beaver Valley International Arts Festival. OK, so they only use one of their rivers -- the Ohio -- for the festival, but they have events spread over a six-week period, from May 25-July 5.
This year showcases artists from Japan and Ireland, including works by Akiko Kotani and Rosie McGurran. There's Literary Week (June 1-7), Film Week (June 8-13) and Visual Arts Week (June 14-21), plus ongoing exhibits and a series of American Wind Symphony concerts.
| | |
|
|
BEAVER VALLEY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL: Featuring performances by the American Wind Symphony, and weekly events devoted to literature, performing arts, visual arts, and film. Rochester Riverfront Park and other locations (May 25-July 5). 800-342-8192.
NEW ORLEANS RIVER FESTIVAL: Buckwheat Zydeco, Mon Gumbo, Terrance Simien, Entrain and others. Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square (May 30-31). 412-690-2460.
BELLEVILLE: Re-enactment of daily life in Bedford in 1764. Old Bedford Village, Bedford (May 31, June 8). 800-238-4347.
JUNE
SUPER FUN DAY: Mammoth Park, near Greensburg (June 1). 724-830-3950.
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Rachel Carson Park, Cheswick (June 4). 724-274-6110.
WILMERDING GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE DAYS: Towne Square, Wilmerding (June 4-7).
RIB AMERICA: Rib cook-off featuring vendors from around the country, plus live music: Jefferson Airplane (June 5), Machine, Pink Floyd tribute band (June 6), Donnie Iris (June 7) and Eddie Money (June 8). Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square. (June 5-8). 412-690-2460.
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Westminster Place, Shadyside (June 6). 412-682-4300.
THREE RIVERS ARTS FESTIVAL: Annual visual arts exhibition, craft market and live music (see Free Concerts Series section). Point State Park and Downtown (June 6-22).
PENN BREWERY MICROBREWERS FEST: Three 3-hour beer sampling sessions. Penn Brewery, Troy Hill (June 7). 412-237-9400.
OAK FESTIVAL IN THE PARK: Riverside Park, Third Street, Oakmont (June 7). 412-828-2442.
SAXONBURG FIREMEN'S CARNIVAL: Pittsburgh Street, Saxonburg (June 9-14). 724-352-3300.
GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY: Fifth Avenue, McKeesport (June 12). 412-678-1727.
T.G.I.F. HAPPY HOUR PARTY: Fake Fest III, with tribute bands Atomic Punks, Zoo Station, Teen Spirit and Mr. Nice Guy. Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square (June 13). 412-690-2460.
WAMO's JUNETEENTH: Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square (June 14-15).
CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS FAIR: West Park, North Side (June 14-15).
GREEK FOOD FAIR: Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, Mt. Lebanon (June 18-20). 412-833-3355.
COORS LIGHT PENNSYLVANIA RIB, WING AND MUSIC FESTIVAL: With performances by Dreaming Tree, Starship, Chandler and more. Westmoreland Fairgrounds, Greensburg (June 20-22).724-863-4577.
BURTNER HOMESTEAD STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Burtner Homestead, Harrison Township (June 21). 724-224-7999.
CAR SHOW WEEKEND: Antique and vintage vehicles. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington (June 21-22). 724-228-9256.
CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT: Old Bedford Village, Bedford (June 21-22). 800-238-4347.
AMERICAN FLEADH FESTIVAL: Saw Doctors, Eileen Ivers, Black 47 and Hothouse Flowers. Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square (June 27). 412-690-2460.
BIG BUTLER FAIR: Rt. 422, Prospect 6.5 miles east of I-79 (June 27-July 5). 724-865-2400.
CARIBBEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL: Riverfront Park, McKeesport (June 28). 412-678-1727.
GREAT EUROPEAN BEERFEST: Beer sampling sessions. Sharp Edge, East Liberty (June 28-29). 412-661-3537.
AMERICAN FOLKWAYS FESTIVAL: Arts and crafts festival. Clintonville (June 28-29, Aug. 30-Sept. 1). 814-385-6040.
PUNXSUTAWNEY GROUNDHOG FESTIVAL: Punxsutawney (June 29 -July 5). 1-800-752-PHIL.
JULY
249TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF FORT NECESSITY: Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown (July 3). 724-329-5512.
WESTMORELAND ARTS AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL: Twin Lakes Park, east of Greensburg (July 3-6). 724-834-7474.
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: Performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony and fireworks. Point State Park (July 4).
ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION: Arsenal Park, Lawrenceville (July 4).
CRANBERRY COMMUNITY DAY: Rt. 19, Cranberry (July 4). 724-776-4806.
COORS LIGHT GREATER PITTSBURGH RIB, WING AND MUSIC SPECTACULAR: Washington County Fairgrounds, Washington (July 4-6). 724-863-4577.
|
 |
|
Django, right, takes a shine to Diane Reiness of North Huntingdon at the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival. (Bill Wade, Post-Gazette) |
EARLY PATRIOTISM: Living history display. Old Bedford Village, Bedford (July 4-6). 800-238-4347.
WEST ELIZABETH COMMUNITY DAYS: Firemen's Fairground, Fourth Street (July 4-6).
ARTS, CRAFTS AND FOOD FESTIVAL: Ewing Park, Ellwood City (July 4-6). 724-758-5630.
SOUTH SIDE SUMMER STREET SPECTACULAR: East Carson Street, South Side (July 10-13).
T.G.I.F. HAPPY HOUR PARTY: Featuring Disco Inferno. Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square (July 11).
MERIWETHER LEWIS HEADS WEST: Re-enactor portrays Lewis, in conjunction with 200th anniversary of Lewis and Clark expedition. Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown (July 11-12). 724-329-5512.
SLOVENEFEST: SNPJ Recreation Center, North Beaver Township (July 11-13). 724-336-5180.
DOLLAR BANK JAMBOREE: Vince Gill is the headliner, along with Rebecca Lynn Howard, Corbin-Hanner Band, Povertyneck Hillbillies and more. Point State Park (July 12). 1-800-242-BANK.
THREE STOOGES FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL: McKeesport Riverfront Park (July 12). 412-678-1727.
FIREWORKS CAPITAL OF THE WORLD FIREWORKS FESTIVAL: New Castle (July 12). 724-656-3510.
E-FEST: Penn and Highland avenues, East Liberty (July 12-13). 412-661-2315.
MOTORCYCLE RENDEZVOUS: Rally, music, games. Old Bedford Village, Bedford (July 12-13). 800-238-4347.
FORT MCINTOSH GARRISON DAY CRAFT FESTIVAL: Crafts, Sweet Adelines, fife and drum corps. Beaver center parks. (June 14).
JACKTOWN FAIR: Jacktown (July 15-19). 724-627-8263.
PITTSBURGH BLUES FESTIVAL: Annual fund-raiser for Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Los Straitjackets and Walter Trout (July 18), Debbie Davies, Charlie Musselwhite and Lonnie Brooks (July 19), Anthony Gomes, Tony Castro and Marcia Ball (July 20). Pittsburgh Brewing Co., Lawrenceville. (July 18-20). 412-460-BLUE.
PINE COMMUNITY DAY: Pine Community Park, Pine (July 19). 724-625-1591.
PITTSBURGH VINTAGE GRAND PRIX: Annual classic car races and show. Schenley Park (July 19-20). 412-471-7847.
FAYETTE COUNTY FAIR: Fayette County Fairgrounds (July 24-Aug. 2). 724-438-0502.
OAKMONT YACHT CLUB REGATTA: Washington Avenue, Oakmont (July 26). 412-828-9847.
DUQUESNE ANNEX VFD: Live music, rides and games (July 29-Aug. 2).
FORT ARMSTRONG FOLK FESTIVAL: Riverfront Park, Kittanning (July 30-Aug. 3). 724-543-6363.
PITTSBURGH THREE RIVERS REGATTA: Powerboat races, hot air balloon races, concerts, kids' entertainment and more. Point State Park. (July 31-Aug. 3).
AUGUST
GREENE COUNTY FAIR: Greene County Fairgrounds. (Aug. 1-9.) 724-852-5323.
NORTH BRADDOCK COMMUNITY DAY: Wolf and Sheraden avenues (Aug. 2).
TRAIN RIDES TO THE TROLLEY MUSEUM: Rides on vintage 1950s diesel train. Trip departs from Carnegie and goes to Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, with stop on Aug. 9 and 10 at Washington County Fair (Aug. 2-3, 9-10). Also Murder Mystery Train Ride from Canonsburg (Aug. 1) Information/tickets: 1-866-850-4676.
ARMSTRONG COUNTY 4-H HORSE ROUNDUP: Crooked Creek Horse Park. (Aug. 3). 724-548-3447.
BEDFORD COUNTY FAIR: (Aug. 3-9). 800-765-3331.
SUMMERFEST '03: St. Irenaeus Church, Maryland Avenue, Oakmont (Aug. 6-9)
T.G.I.F. HAPPY HOUR PARTY: Featuring Parrot Island Party III. Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square (Aug. 8).
SHADYSIDE -- THE ARTS FESTIVAL ON WALNUT STREET: Walnut Street, Shadyside (Aug. 8-10).
ARTS ON ELLSWORTH: Ellsworth Avenue, Shadyside (Aug. 8-10).
BRADDOCK COMMUNITY DAY: UPMC Braddock Parking Lot (Aug. 9).
RICHLAND COMMUNITY DAY: Richland Community Park, Bakerstown (Aug. 9). 724-443-5921.
WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR: Washington County Fairgrounds, Washington (Aug. 9-16). 724-225-7718.
AUGUST FUN FEST: Arts and crafts, music, flea market. Cedar Creek Park (Aug. 10). 724-830-3950.
LAWRENCE COUNTY FAIR: Route 108 east of New Castle (Aug. 11-16). 724-654-7745.
McKEESPORT INTERNATIONAL VILLAGE FESTIVAL: Renzie Park, McKeesport (Aug. 12-15). 412-675-5020.
WESTMORELAND FAIR: Westmoreland Fairgrounds (Aug. 15-23). 724-423-5005.
RANKIN COMMUNITY DAY: Fourth and Church, Rankin (Aug. 16).
JEFFERSON HILLS COMMUNITY DAY: Andrew Riley Memorial Park, Route 885 (Aug. 16).
 | |
The E in E-Fest stands for East Liberty, but during the Masters of Ceremonies it stands for Emcee. This shot from the 2001 fest shows WAR on the mike, Spydaman, left, and D.J. Finesse, far right. (Franka Bruns, Post-Gazette) | |
DRAVOSBURG CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: Rt. 837, Dravosburg (Aug. 16).
SOMERSET COUNTY FAIR: Meyersdale Fairgrounds (Aug. 16-23). 814-445-6431.
GREATER PITTSBURGH RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: Off I-70, 7 miles west of New Stanton (Saturdays and Sundays from Aug. 16-Sept. 21, plus Sept. 1). 724-872-1670.
HOOKSTOWN FAIR: Hookstown Fairgrounds (Aug. 19-23). 724-573-4512.
HOT IMPORT DAZE: Car show. Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square (Aug. 23). 412-690-2460.
BRADLEY FEST: Benefit for the Bradley Center, with Rosanne Cash. Hartwood Acres (Aug. 23).
ICE CREAM SUNDAY: Pressley Ridge School, North Side (Aug. 24). 412-231-1662.
INDIANA COUNTY FAIR: J.S. Mack Community Center, Indiana (Aug. 24-30) 724-465-6703.
BIG KNOB GRANGE FAIR: Big Knob Road, east of Rochester (Aug. 26-30). 724-843-7863.
JOHNSTOWN FOLK FESTIVAL: Johnstown (Aug. 29-31). 814-539-1889.
ITALIAN FESTIVAL: Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square (Aug. 29-31). 412-690-2460.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY RIB COOK-OFF: South Park Fairgrounds (Aug. 29-Sept. 1).
PENNSYLVANIA ARTS & CRAFTS COLONIAL FESTIVAL: Westmoreland County Fairgrounds, Greensburg (Aug. 29-Sept. 1). 724-863-4577.
LABOR UNITED CELEBRATION: Northmoreland Park, Allegheny Township (Aug. 31-Sept. 1). 724-830-3950.
SEPTEMBER
LABOR DAY PARADE: Downtown (Sept. 1).
A FAIR IN THE PARK: Mellon Park, Shadyside (Sept. 5-7).
PITTSBURGH IRISH FESTIVAL: Chevrolet Amphitheater, Station Square (Sept. 5-7). 412-690-2460.
MOUNTAIN CRAFT DAYS: Somerset Historical Center, Somerset (Sept. 5-7). 814-445-6077.
FAMILY HOUSE POLO: Hartwood Acres (Sept. 6).
PITTSBURGH DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL: South Side Riverfront Park (Sept. 6).
NORTH PARK'S COLONIAL ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL: North Park (Sept. 12-14). 724-863-4577.
WINE AND STYLE FESTIVAL: Hartwood Acres (Sept. 13-14).
PENN'S COLONY FESTIVAL: Saxonburg (Sept. 19-21, 27-28). 412-487-6922.
Adrian McCoy can be reached atamccoy@post-gazette.com .
E-mail this story 
