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Friday, May 17, 2002

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

MAY

PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL: International children's performers, activities and more. West Park/Allegheny Center, North Side (through May 19). 412-321-5520.

ELLSWORTH AVENUE STREET FAIR: Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside (May 17-19).

	Jeannine McKelvia, left, jokes with her friends Renee Moore and Charlet Holley last summer at the Three Rivers Arts Festival. (Franka Bruns, Post-Gazette)

NATIONAL ROAD FESTIVAL: Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown (May 18-19). 724-329-5512.

FORT PITT MUSEUM COLONIAL FAIR: Military and Native American encampments. Fort Pitt, Point State Park (May 18-19). 412-281-9284.

PITTSBURGH FOLK FESTIVAL: Performances by more than 18 different ethnic groups. Heinz Field (May 24-26). 412-278-1267.

PENN'S COLONY MAY MARKET: Contemporary and fine art, folk art, period furniture, jewelry, cottage crafts, garden plants and more. St. Vincent College. Latrobe (May 24-26). 412-487-6922.

PENNSYLVANIA ARTS & CRAFTS COUNTRY FESTIVAL: Fayette County Fairgrounds, Uniontown (May 24-27). 724-863-4577.

RIB AND WINGS FEST: Entertainment includes Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers (May 24), Charlie Daniels (May 25), Loverboy (May 26), and The Buzz Poets (May 27). Washington County Fairgrounds (May 24-27). 724-729-3701.

	Hot Picks Station Square fests The Amphitheatre at Station Square has long been a popular venue for festivals of every stripe. This year, some new ones will join the traditional favorites. The New Orleans Cajun Fest on May 31 and June 1 brings the bayou to the riverbank. There will be zydeco and Dixieland music by national and regional bands, plus a tasty choice of Cajun and Creole foods. The One World Music Festival (July 13-14) features Caribbean, reggae, African and Brazilian music, along with an Island Market Place selling Caribbean clothing, jewelry and crafts. The Parrotheads are migrating back Aug. 10 for the Second Annual Parrot Island Party -- a day in the sun for Jimmy Buffett fans. There's entertainment by Fins the Left, a Buffett tribute band, The Buffett Man and Caribbean Steel Vibes, plus margaritas on tap. Local tradition continues with the Wings Cook Off on Aug. 23-24, the Italian Summerfest (Aug. 3-Sept. 2) and the Pittsburgh Irish Festival on Sept. 6-8. Juneteenth The Juneteenth celebration marks a significant chapter in our history -- the end of slavery. WAMO's 7th Annual Juneteenth Concert Series celebrates it with three days of music at the Amphitheatre at Station Square. On June 14, it's Gospelfest 2002 with Dr. Bobby Jones and the Super Choir. The June 15 Old School Concert features The Dells, Ray Goodman & Brown and Enchantment. On June 16, it's the Blazin' Hip-Hop and R&B concert with Mystikal. Renaissance Festival By the end of the summer, sometimes you just want to unplug. That's when a road trip to Morelandshire is in order. Travel back to Shakespeare's heyday, enjoy a little jousting and hang out with peasants and royalty at the Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival. The event, near New Stanton, runs Saturdays and Sundays, plus Labor Day from Aug. 17-Sept. 22. Each weekend has a theme -- romance, Celtic, Olde World Celebration, peasant games, Shakespeare and harvest. The first whiff of fried dough and cotton candy is already in the air, as the region revs up for another season of summer festivals and special events. Thanks to the diversity of nationalities and cultures in the region, there's a wide range of celebrations on tap. By Adrian McCoy

THE FRENCH SOLDIER IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA: 18th-century soldiers' life demonstrations. Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown (May 25-26). 724-329-5512.

BILL SELES' MEMORIAL DAY POLKA FESTIVAL: Featuring Gary Siebert and California Polka Power, Frank Stanger, Don Wojtila, Gaylord Klancnik, Bob Kravos, Karl Lukitsch and special guest Walter Ostanek. Seven Springs Mountain Resort (May 25-27). 800-797-5440.

BEDFORD COUNTY CRAFTS FESTIVAL: Old Bedford Village, Bedford (May 25-27). 800-238-4347.

BEAVER VALLEY INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL: Focus is on cultures of Sweden and Germany. Performances by the American Wind Symphony every Friday. Rochester Riverfront Park. (May 27-July 4). 800-342-8192.

NEW ORLEANS CAJUN FEST: Cajun food, music by Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys (May 31) and Terrance Simian (June 1). Amphitheatre at Station Square (May 31-June 1).

JUNE

PENN BREWERY MICROBREWERS FEST: Three-hour beer sampling sessions. Penn Brewery, Troy Hill (June 1). 412-237-9400.

BELLEVILLE AT OLD BEDFORD VILLAGE 2002: Re-enactment of daily living in 1764. Old Bedford Village, Bedford (June 1-9). 800-238-4347.

SUPER FUN DAY: Magic of Virgil show, arts and crafts, live music, kids activities. Mammoth Park, Greensburg. (June 2). 724-830-3950.

JEWISH FOOD FESTIVAL: Temple Sinai, Squirrel Hill. (June 2-3). 412-421-9715.

SAXONBURG FIREMEN'S CARNIVAL: Pittsburgh Street, Saxonburg (June 3-8). 724-352-3300.

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Rachel Carson Park, Cheswick (June 5). 724-274-6110.

WILMERDING GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE DAYS: Towne Square, Wilmerding (June 5-8).

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Westminster Place, Shadyside (June 7). 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 7-23).

FORT MCINTOSH GARRISON DAY CRAFT FESTIVAL: Center parks, Beaver. (June 8).

OAK FESTIVAL IN THE PARK: Riverside Park, Third Street, Oakmont (June 8). 412-828-2442.

GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY: Fifth Avenue, McKeesport (June 13). 412-678-1727.

GREEK FOOD FAIR: Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, Mt. Lebanon (June 13-15). 412-833-3355.

WAMO JUNETEENTH: Hip-hop, R&B and gospel music. I.C. Light Amphitheatre, Station Square (June 14-16).

PULSE: Music and dance festival, featuring Pittsburgh bands, from trip hop to the blues, produced by Ampersand Dance Theatre. Kelly Strayhorn Theater, East Liberty (June 14-16). 412-394-3353.

BURTNER HOMESTEAD STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Burtner Homestead, Harrison Township (June 15). 724-224-7999.

BLACK BOYS RAID: Raid and capture of Fort Bedford from the British by James Smith and his Black Boys. In partnership with the Fort Bedford Museum. Old Bedford Village, Bedford (June 15, July 27). 800-238-4347.

9TH ANNUAL PITTSBURGH COORS LIGHT RIB AMERICA FESTIVAL: Heinz Field Parking Lot (June 20-23).

LAWRENCE COUNTY ITALIAN CELEBRATION: Entertainment, wine tasting and boccie tournaments. Cascade Park, New Castle (June 22-23).

CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS FAIR: Re-enactors, lectures, crafters, demonstrations. West Park, North Side (June 22-23). 412-321-4502.

WINGS OVER PITTSBURGH: Air show. Air Force Reserve Base, Coraopolis (June 22-23). 412-474-8501.

	Walt Gasdek plays with the Commonwealth Ancients at a recent Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival. (Bob Donaldson, Post-Gazette)

GLASSPORT COMMUNITY DAYS: Honor Roll Memorial Park (June 28-30).

BIG BUTLER FAIR: Highlights include Buzz Poets (June 28), Rock Never Stops Tour with Vince Neil, Jackyl, etc. (June 29), 106 Jamz Fest (July 3), Travis Tritt, Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Lawrence (July 6). Rt. 422, Prospect 6.5 miles east of I-79 (June 28-July 6). 724-865-2400.

4TH OF JULY WEEK FESTIVAL: Sidewalk sales, live music, fireworks. Franklin. (June 28-July 4).

ANYTHING ON WHEELS WEEKEND: Vintage cars, buses, trolleys, bicycles, trains and more. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington (June 29-30). 724-228-9256.

GREAT EUROPEAN BEERFEST: Beer sampling sessions. Sharp Edge, East Liberty (June 29-30). 412-661-3537.

PUNXSUTAWNEY GROUNDHOG FESTIVAL: Punxsutawney. (June 30-July 6).

JULY

24TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF FORT NECESSITY: Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown (July 3). 724-329-5512.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: Fireworks and performance by Pittsburgh Symphony. Point State Park (July 4).

56TH ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION: Arsenal Park, Lawrenceville (July 4).

CRANBERRY COMMUNITY DAY: Rt. 19, Cranberry (July 4). 724-776-4806.

WEST ELIZABETH COMMUNITY DAYS: Firemen's Fairground, Fourth Street (July 4-6).

WESTMORELAND ARTS AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL: Juried artist market, music on five stages, kids activities. Twin Lakes Park, east of Greensburg (July 4-7). 724-834-7474.

ARTS, CRAFTS AND FOOD FESTIVAL: Ewing Park, Ellwood City (July 4-7). 724-758-5630.

CLAIRTON COMMUNITY DAY: Clairton Park Lodge (July 7).

SOUTH SIDE SUMMER STREET SPECTACULAR: East Carson Street, South Side (July 11-14).

ONE WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL: Caribbean and reggae, African and Brazilian music, plus Island Market Place, island food and drinks. Amphitheatre at Station Square. (July 13-14).

SLOVENEFEST: SNPJ Recreation Center, North Beaver Township (July 12-14). 724-336-5180.

DOLLAR BANK JAMBOREE: Clint Black is the headliner. Point State Park (July 13). 1-800-242-BANK.

FIREWORKS CAPITAL OF THE WORLD FIREWORKS FESTIVAL: New Castle (July 13). 724-656-3510.

E-FEST: Penn and Highland avenues, East Liberty. (July 13-14). 412-661-2315.

JACKTOWN FAIR: Jacktown (July 16-20). 724-627-8263.

JAMBOREE IN THE HILLS: Lineup includes Hank Williams Jr., Neal McCoy, Charlie Daniels, Lee Greenwood, Trace Adkins and more. St. Clairsville, Ohio (July 18-21). 800-624-5456.

PITTSBURGH BLUES FESTIVAL: Annual fund-raiser for Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Music by John Hammond, Keb Mo, Sean Costello and Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys. Pittsburgh Brewing Co., Lawrenceville. (July 19-21). 412-460-BLUE.

COORS LIGHT PENNSYLVANIA RIB, WING AND MUSIC FESTIVAL: Rib vendors, motorcycle show, music by Molly Hatchett (July 19), Donnie Iris (July 20) and Johnny Angel and the Halos (July 21). Westmoreland Fairgrounds, Greensburg (July 19-21).724-863-4577.

THREE STOOGES FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL: Comedy shorts, contests, music. McKeesport Riverfront Park (July 20).

PINE COMMUNITY DAY: Pine Community Park, Pine (July 20). 724-625-1591.

ARMSTRONG COUNTY 4-H HORSE ROUNDUP: Dayton Fairgrounds, Dayton (July 20). 724-548-3447.

PITTSBURGH VINTAGE GRAND PRIX: Annual classic car races and show, with Porsche as Marque of the Year. Schenley Park (July 19-21). 412-471-7847.

1758 CAMP AT RAES TOWN: French and Indian event recreates encampment at Bedford. Old Bedford Village, Bedford (July 20-21). 800-238-4347.

FAYETTE COUNTY FAIR: Lone Star is the headliner. Fayette County Fairgrounds (July 25-Aug. 3). 724-438-0502.

TURTLE CREEK COMMUNITY DAYS: Westinghouse Valley Human Services Courtyard. (July 26-27).

CARIBBEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL: Riverfront Park, McKeesport (July 27). 412-678-1727.

OLD ECONOMY VILLAGE FAMILY FESTIVAL: Route 65, Ambridge (July 27). 724-266-1803.

OAKMONT YACHT CLUB REGATTA: Washington Avenue, Oakmont (July 27-28). 412-828-9847.

DUQUESNE ANNEX VFD: Live music, rides and games (July 30-Aug. 3).

FORT ARMSTRONG FOLK FESTIVAL: Riverfront Park, Kittanning (July 31-Aug. 4). 724-543-6363.

AUGUST

DUQUESNE COMMUNITY DAY AND REUNION: Wylie Avenue Playground, Duquesne (Aug. 3).

NORTH BRADDOCK COMMUNITY DAY: Wolf and Sheraden avenues (Aug. 3).

ENCAMPMENT OF TRENT'S COMPANY: Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown (Aug. 3-4). 724-329-5512.

BEDFORD COUNTY FAIR: (Aug. 4-10). 800-765-3331.

BUTLER FARM SHOW: Butler Farm Show Grounds, Route 68, Butler (Aug. 5-10). 724-482-4000.

PITTSBURGH THREE RIVERS REGATTA: Powerboat races, hot air balloon races, concerts, kids' entertainment and more. Point State Park. (Aug. 8-11). 412-875-2153.

LEGENDS ALONG THE BRADDOCK ROAD: Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown. (Aug. 9-10). 724-329-5512.

SHADYSIDE -- THE ARTS FESTIVAL ON WALNUT STREET: Walnut Street, Shadyside (Aug. 9-11).

ARTS ON ELLSWORTH: Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside (Aug. 9-11).

SHADYSIDE SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL: Fifth and Penn avenues, Shadyside (Aug. 9-11).

PARROT ISLAND PARTY: Jimmy Buffett tribute band Fins the Left, The Buffett Man and Caribbean Steel Vibes. Amphitheatre at Station Square (Aug. 10).

BRADDOCK COMMUNITY DAY: UPMC Braddock Parking Lot (Aug. 10).

RICHLAND COMMUNITY DAY: Richland Community Park, Bakerstown (Aug. 10). 724-443-5921.

THREE RIVERS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL: National and local storytellers. Ice Skating Rink, North Park. (Aug. 10-11).

WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR: Washington County Fairgrounds, Washington (Aug. 10-17). 724-225-7718.

LAWRENCE COUNTY FAIR: Route 108 east of New Castle (Aug. 12-17). 724-654-7745.

McKEESPORT INTERNATIONAL VILLAGE FESTIVAL: Renzie Park, McKeesport (Aug. 13-15). 412-675-5020, ext. 60.

WESTMORELAND FAIR: Westmoreland Fairgrounds (Aug. 16-24). 724-423-5005.

RANKIN COMMUNITY DAY: Fourth and Church, Rankin (Aug. 17).

JEFFERSON HILLS COMMUNITY DAY: Andrew Riley Memorial Park, Route 885 (Aug. 17).

SOMERSET COUNTY FAIR: Meyersdale Fairgrounds (Aug. 17-24). 814-445-6431.

GREATER PITTSBURGH RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: Re-creation of 16th-century village with live jousting, music and theater, crafts, food and children's activities. Off I-70, 7 miles west of New Stanton (Aug. 17-18, 24-25, 31; Sept. 1-2, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22). 724-872-1670.

HOOKSTOWN FAIR: Hooks-town Fairgrounds (Aug. 20-24). 724-573-4512.

CLAIRTON VFD FAIR: (Aug. 22-25).

WINGS COOK OFF: Amphitheatre at Station Square (Aug. 23-24).

PLEASANT HILLS COMMUNITY DAY: Mowrie Park (Aug. 24).

DANKFEST: Harmony Museum (Aug. 24-25). 724-452-7341.

NATIONAL PARKS FOUNDERS' DAY: Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown. (Aug. 25). 724-329-5512.

PRESSLEY RIDGE ICE CREAM SUNDAY: Pressley Ridge School, North Side. (Aug. 25). 412-231-1662.

CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT: Old Bedford Village, Bedford (Aug. 24-25). 800-238-4347.

JOHNSTOWN FOLK FESTIVAL: Johnstown (Aug. 30-Sept. 1). 814-539-1889.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY RIB COOK-OFF: South Park Fairgrounds (Aug. 30-Sept. 2).

15TH ANNUAL ITALIAN SUMMERFEST: Labor Day Weekend feast of pasta, desserts and Italian wine and beer, plus entertainment by Bobby Rydell, Moreno Fruzetti, We Three and more. Amphitheatre at Station Square (Aug. 30-Sept. 2).

PENNSYLVANIA ARTS & CRAFTS COLONIAL FESTIVAL: Westmoreland County Fairgrounds, Greensburg (Aug. 30- Sept. 2). 724-863-4577.

LOG HOUSE ARTS FESTIVAL: Johnstown (Aug. 31, Sept. 1).

SEPTEMBER

LABOR UNITED CELEBRATION: Northmoreland Park, Allegheny Township (Sept. 1-2). 724-830-3950.

LABOR DAY PARADE: Downtown (Sept. 2).

CLAIRTON NAACP DAY: Clairton Park Lodge (Sept. 2).

FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL: Music by Joe Negri, Shari Richards, Glenn Pavone, Mansfield Five and more. Carnegie. (Sept. 5-7).

A FAIR IN THE PARK: Mellon Park, Shadyside. (Sept. 6-8).

12TH ANNUAL IRISH FESTIVAL: Irish food and refreshments; Irish marketplace; children's activities, music by Celtic Storm, Ennis Sisters and more. Amphitheatre at Station Square (Sept. 6-8).

OKTOBERFEST: SNPJ Recreation Center, North Beaver Township (Sept. 6-8). 724-336-5180.

MOUNTAIN CRAFT DAYS: Somerset Historical Center, Somerset (Sept. 6-8). 814-445-6077.

NORTH PARK'S COLONIAL ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL: North Park (Sept. 6-8, 14-15). 724-863-4577.

FLAX SCUTCHING FESTIVAL: Stahlstown (Sept. 14-15). 724-238-9244.

19TH ANNUAL PENN'S COLONY FESTIVAL: More than 200 craftspeople, military encampments, ethnic music and dance. Saxonburg. (Sept. 20-22, 28-29). 412-487-6922.

RAINBOW KITCHEN COMMUNITY SERVICES 6TH ANNUAL PIEROGI FESTIVAL AND COOK-OFF: Proceeds benefit Rainbow Kitchen. Pittsburgh Brewing (Sept. 21). 412-464-1892.

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