The late Fred Rogers would have turned 80 on March 20. Combine that with events designed to put the spotlight on Pittsburgh as a destination during its 250th anniversary year and you get "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Days -- a full slate of family activities and events, along with free and reduced admissions at many local cultural attractions.

Capping off the festivities that will run Saturday through the following Thursday is the groundbreaking for the Fred Rogers statue, slated for the North Shore along the waterfront walkway near Heinz Field.

The events are designed to celebrate and reinforce the values that Rogers communicated through his long-running children's TV show, and to promote neighborliness in the region. The concept was developed by Family Communications Inc., the production company Rogers founded.

More than 30 organizations are taking part. Here are some of the local highlights. For a complete listing, go to: www.fci.org/NeighborDays/index.asp.

• The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh is hosting a Fred Rogers birthday celebration March 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Activities include an appearance by Mr. McFeely and Purple Panda of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood"; a performance by Pittsburgh Symphony timpanist Tim Adams at 1 p.m.; and a performance by a string quartet of Pittsburgh Symphony musicians at 2:30 p.m.

• Senator John Heinz History Center, March 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free admissions for ages 10 and under to "Cardigans and Cupcakes!," a program with trivia games, arts and crafts, and cupcake decorating.

• National Aviary, free admission March 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special events include encounters with X the Owl; Little Peepers story time at 11:30 a.m.; a chance to hand-feed the birds; and, at 11 a.m., the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf will present the Mini SignShine kids and a program of story and song in sign language.

• The Andy Warhol Museum, half-price admission March 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with art activities.

• The Mattress Factory, free admission March 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with puppet-making and other activities.

• Frick Art & Historical Center, visitors wearing sweaters March 20 receive a $6 discount on Clayton tours. Reservations recommended: 412-371-0600.

• Carnegie Science Center, half-price admission March 20.

• Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., ages 12 and under admitted free.

• Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Saturday through March 22, $2 off admission for up to four people.

• Westmoreland Museum of Art in Greensburg, March 20, free admission, family activities.

• New Hazlett Theater, North Side, Saturday, 3:30 p.m., $8/adults, $6/kids 2 and older. Kelsey Friday: CD Release, a concert for children & adults of all ages, with former Brownie Mary singer Kelsey Friday.

• Benedum, March 29-April 6, tickets discounted $5 to Pittsburgh Opera's "Aida." To qualify for the discount, ticket buyers need to make reservations between Saturday and March 20, and request the "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" discount. Information: 412-456-6666.

• Dianne Reeves at the Byham Theater, Sunday, 7 p.m., $5 ticket discount. Information: 412-456-6666.

• Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, next Wednesday, 5 to 7:30 p.m. 1450 Maple Drive, Prospect Park, Whitehall, "Won't You Be My Prospect Park Neighbor" Party.

• Gilda's Club of Western Pa., next Wednesday, 4 to 6 p.m. Cancer support community will celebrate with sing-alongs, Kids in the Kitchen activities and more. Registration: 412-338-1919.

• Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington, March 29-31, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trolley rides.

• Robinson Township Library, 1000 Church Hill Road, Robinson, Saturday, 1 p.m. Renee and Her Roving Puppets perform a show honoring Mister Rogers .

• Starting Early Together, 500-502 Brownsville Road, Mount Oliver, March 22, 10 a.m. to noon, the cost is $5. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny -- a breakfast for fathers and their kids. Reservations: Sheila McCall at 412-481-2760, ext. 300, by March 19.

• Reading is FUNdamental and Beginning With Books, March 15-20, distributing books at sites throughout Allegheny County.

• Several Carnegie Library branches, along with other regional libraries, will be celebrating with open houses and special family activities, including: Woods Run (Saturday), Lawrenceville (Saturday), East Liberty (March 18), Carrick (March 20), Hill District (March 20), West End (March 20) and Sheraden (March 27). Other libraries with activities include C.C. Mellor Memorial Library's Fred Rogers Children's Room in Edgewood (today and tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.), Upper St. Clair (Monday), Moon Township Public Library (Tuesday) and Sewickley Public Library (March 20).

• A monthlong celebration is taking place this month at Adams Memorial Library in Rogers' hometown of Latrobe.