Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkin Festival, Saturday (10 am – dusk) and Sunday (12 pm – 6 pm), October 19 & 20, North Shore Riverfront. This festival, in its second year, has coined the phrase “The Greatest Growth On Earth.” The focus is on huuuuuuuge pumpkins. We’re talking over 1000 pounds! A 5K walk/run will start the event at 8 am on Saturday, followed by a day of pumpkin-centric activities. Some of the giant gourds will be rowed down the Allegheny River in the “Great Pumpkin Paddle”. If you are looking for pumpkin carving inspiration, check out the “Carvers’ Court” along the Riverwalk by Bettis’ Grill, where you can see intricate, creatively carved pumpkin portraits of characters from movies filmed in Western Pennsylvania by nationally-renown carvers. At 2 pm candy will drop from the sky when a hollowed-out giant pumpkin filled with sweet treats is dropped 60 feet in the “Pumpkin Pinata Drop.” A farm market, pumpkin giveaway and decorating station, pie eating contest and more can be found on the schedule of events.
Millvale Music Harvest Festival, Saturday, October 19, 4 pm – 10 pm, Millvale Riverfront Park, 70 River Front Drive. Chill out by the river on an autumn evening with pumpkin beers, food trucks, and performances by five bands, including Weird Paul, and the Keystone Vibe.
Pitt Arts Fest, Sunday, October 20, 12 pm – 3:30 pm, The William Pitt Union, 3959 Fifth Avenue. This event at the University of Pittsburgh highlights the artistic side of university life, with art displayed for sale, a hands-on T-shirt screen printing station, henna art, and a special performance of Squonk Opera‘s “Hand to Hand.” Squonk Opera will showcase their progressive rock on a multi-tiered stage, surrounded by a pair of enormous puppet hands orchestrating the performance and drawing in the audience to manipulate the movements of the house-sized hands. Showtime for “Hand to Hand” are 12 pm and 3:30 pm. Free
Brewing Up A Cure 2019, Saturday, October 19, 5 pm – 9 pm, Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Avenue. Try some tasty brews and help raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Over 100 homebrewers and craft breweries will offer up samples at this charity beer fest in it’s 13th year. Over $10,000 in auction items will also be up grabs. It’s an evening to have fun and do some good for those who living with cystic fibrosis. Tickets: $50
A Few Bad Apples Ciderfest, Saturday, October 19, 6 pm – 10 pm, Spring Hill Brewing, 1958 Varley Street. Why should all the beer drinkers and pumpkin spice sippers have all the fun this autumn?! Celebrate apple season with some tasty ciders. Spring Hill Brewing will provide samples of their various ciders and will be pouring beers. Asada will also be on hand with their Argentinian BBQ. Live music by The Armadillos, The Turpentiners and Ye Olde Royal ****house Players will keep things lively between the 3 courses of tastings. Tickets:$20
Hometown – Homegrown: Heinz 150, Saturday, October 19, 10 am – 3 pm, Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Strip District. While the Warhol marks it’s 25th anniversary, the H.J. Heinz Company marks it’s 150th anniversary with a celebration at the Senator John Heinz History Center. There will be Heinz-inspired food samples from 40+ vendors, cooking demos by WQED’s Chris Fennimore, a taste of Heinz history, etc. Check out the event website for a full schedule. Who knows, you may see some of those coveted Heinz pickle and ketchup bottle pins. Admission to the celebration is included with the regular History Center admission ($9 – $18)
Get a taste of the ethnic influences that help make Pittsburgh such an interesting place at to live at two Southside festivals this weekend.
Slovaktoberfest, Friday, October 18, 6 pm – 10 pm, Sokol Club, 2912 East Carson Street, Southside. Ethnic food buffet, Slovak beer, dancing and live music by the Gypsy Stringz. Tickets: $35
Serbtoberfest, Saturday, October 19, 7 pm – 2 am, 2524 Sarah Street, Southside. Sponsored by The American Serbian Club of Pittsburgh, this event features German food and traditional German and European polka tunes performed by the Madel Jager Band. $10/entry
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