SATURDAY

Star-studded parade

The annual Celebrate the Season Parade Saturday comes complete with a Spock and a Monkee.

The Spock is Pittsburgher Zachary Quinto of "Heroes," who plays the Vulcan in the upcoming "Star Trek" film. The Monkee is Peter Tork, who played the silliest Monkee but actually could play multiple instruments and has maintained a solo career.

The national celebrity list also includes Shannon Wiseman ("NASCAR Angels"), Bianca Ryan (the 2006 winner of "America's Got Talent") and Tim Beggy from MTV's "Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Inferno 3." Joining them will be Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Mr. McFeely and Purple Panda, penguins from the National Aviary, the cast of Pittsburgh CLO's "Plaid Tidings" and former Pittsburgh Steelers Dwight White, Dwayne Woodruff and Louis Lipps.

Of course, the arrival of Santa Claus will be a highlight for the kids. The parade, running down Fifth Avenue from 9 to 11 a.m., is broadcast live on WPXI-TV.

-- Scott Mervis

FRIDAY

Rebuilding Forbes Field

Remember the view from the grandstand at Forbes Field? The ballpark is long gone, but a great view of the action -- in miniature -- can be yours at the Carnegie Science Center on the North Side.

On Friday, a 1/64-scale model of the Pirates' home field from 1909-70 will be unveiled, the newest addition to the Science Center's Miniature Railroad and Village. Patty Rogers, historic exhibits coordinator, spent a year building the model showing Forbes' 1909 opener.

A tiny Chicago Cub batter whiffs at an invisible pitch as shortstop Honus Wagner and other Pirates stand ready in red-and-white uniforms (they didn't switch to black and gold until the 1940s). Look for great grandad in the crowd, although he might be hard to distinguish from the other 23,000 cotton swabs filling the seats.

Forbes Field will become a permanent part of the display, which also includes working models of a steel mill, rock quarry and Luna Park. For a behind-the-scenes visit and a reading of "The Polar Express," try the Breakfast Express family program from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Dec. 8, 15 and 22. Member tickets are $15 for kids and seniors, $20 for adults; $20 and $25, respectively, for nonmembers. Reservations: 412-237-3400 or www.carnegiesciencecenter.org.

-- Kevin Kirkland

Factory Friday

Looking for something to do on Friday away from the mall crowds? The Mattress Factory museum, 500 Sampsonia Way, North Side, thought you might be and has planned a Family Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. loaded with activities for all ages. Artist and Black Sheep Puppet Festival founder Tom Sarver will give puppetry demonstrations and workshops, and tours of the museum and other activities are planned, too. Free with museum admission; 412-231-3169 or www.mattress.org.

--Mary Thomas

'Pittsburgh Recast'

The Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators celebrates Pittsburgh's upcoming 250th anniversary in its 10th anniversary show, "Pittsburgh Recast," opening Friday at the Senator John Heinz History Center. The Society's biggest and most ambitious show to date, it "documents the stories in and of an American city, steeped in history and forging to redefine and reinvent itself." Subjects include historic, current or future (projected) events, personal or public, momentary or capturing a span of time. The show continues through March 31; 412-454-6000 or www.pghhistory.org.

-- M.T.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

The Santa Trolley

According to the folks at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, "Santa is anxiously awaiting his annual ride on a heated, decorated, antique trolley."

Take that, Rudolph ...

Old St. Nick will be on hand for the annual Santa Trolley event in Washington, Pa., the next three weekends, complete with elves and Christmas carols. The trolley rides depart every 45 minutes beginning at 10 a.m. with the last ride at 4 p.m.

While you're there, you can stop in the museum building to view the large Lionel Toy Train Layout, the museum store, the photo exhibit and the trolley era video. The museum is a "Toys for Tots" participant, so bring an unwrapped toy with a minimum value of $10 and receive a free child admission. Toys will be accepted through Dec. 9.

Admission fee is $7; $6 for seniors; $4 for children (ages 3-15). Call 724-228-9256 or visit the Web site at www.pa-trolley.org.

-- S.M.

SATURDAY

Carnival bizarre

Calling all gypsies, tramps and queens to Zafira Dance Company's "Vaudeville Carnivale Deux" (where the bourgeois meet "La Boheme") at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty on Saturday at 8 p.m.

The performance lineup will include Zafira (steal-your-heart, ragtime belly dance), Liz Hammond (aka the UkeLady), Erin Carey (aerialist extraordinaire), Phat Man Dee (singer songstress), Kill the Unicorn art band and much more. Added attractions will include savory treats and libations at the Turkey Coffee House, a bizarre bazaar and Old-Tyme Photo Portraits of you and your loved ones. Tickets: $5-$18; 412-394-3353 or www.proartstickets.org.

-- Jane Vranish

Polar party

Billed as "the coolest party in town," it's the third-birthday party of Koda Rogers and Nuka McFeely. Who are they?

They're the polar bears at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. On Saturday, they'll enjoy frozen fish treats while guests will dine on cake (while supplies last), sign a polar-size birthday card, enjoy live entertainment, face painting, bio-facts tables and crafts.

All activities are free with general admission.

Holiday movies

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Pittsburgh Filmmakers join forces for "A Downtown Holiday Film Celebration," beginning Saturday with "A Christmas Story," the 1983 classic about a boy who just wants a Red Rider BB gun.

The films continue at the Harris with:

Dec. 1: "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947).

Dec. 8: "The Polar Express" (2004).

Dec. 15: "White Christmas" (1954).

The screenings are at the Harris Theater at 2 and 4:15 p.m. Tickets are $6; an advance family package ($20) guarantees four seats to the movie; 412-456-6666.

SUNDAY

Reconcilation dialogue

"Enough is Enough!," a new 57-minute documentary about the death of Jonny Gammage, will be screened Sunday at Synod Hall at 1:30 p.m. The film, the third offering in St. Paul's Race & Reconciliation Dialogue Group's Fall Film Festival, deals with the Oct. 12, 1995, incident in which Gammage was pulled over for a traffic violation in Brentwood and killed during a police struggle.

Director Billy Jackson will be on hand to discuss the film, which includes interviews with Harvard professor Charles Ogletree, Al Sharpton and the late Johnnie Cochran.

It will shown after the noon Mass, with light refreshments at 1 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

-- S.M.

NEED TO KNOW

• "Late Night Romp with Gorman Lowe and Friends" at the Cabaret at Theater Square, Downtown. Lowe, with Carol Wiltman and Sean Flaherty and propmaster Jan Held, give their "barrage of Broadway and burlesque" another go at 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $10; at pgharts.org or 412-456-6666. Doors open at 10.

• With "24" a victim for now of the Writers Guild strike, Mary Lynn Rajskub's alter ego, irascible Chloe, gets a time out. Rajskub heads out on her "Turns Out I'm Funny" comedy tour, with a stop at the Rex Theatre, South Side, at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets: $32.50; 412-323-1919.

• The 18th annual Beaver County Festival of Trees at Brady's Run Park Lodge begins 5-9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day and runs through the weekend (noon-9 p.m. Sunday) and again Nov. 30 through Dec. 2. Admission: 5 and younger free; 6-12, 50 cents; 13-60, $3; older, $2. Proceeds benefit Beaver County Children & Youth Services. More info: 724-891-5842.