Summer Times: Festivals

Friday, May 15, 2009

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

John Heller/Post-Gazette

The Three Rivers Regatta, which will run from July 3 to 5, will include powerboat racing and, of course, fireworks. Among the musical acts will be the U.S. Army Field Band and Chorus. There will be kids zones, including climbing walls, a bass tournament, crew races, bridge parties and a farmers' market.

Festival season in Southwestern Pennsylvania is officially open. From now until harvest, they range from urban celebrations like the Three Rivers Arts Festival and the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regattas to small town and rural fairs.

MAY

SPRING FESTIVAL: Carnival rides, games, live music, craft show. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, Farmington. (May 15-16). 724-329-8555.



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NATIONAL ROAD FESTIVAL: Events at sites along historic Route 40 in Fayette, Washington and Somerset counties (May 15-17). 724-437-9877.

AMBRIDGE NATIONALITY DAYS FESTIVAL: Merchant Street, Ambridge (May 15-17). 724-266-3040.

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL: Pittsburgh International Children's Theater's annual festival of international and local performing arts groups for children. University of Pittsburgh campus and Schenley Plaza, Oakland (Through May 17). 412-321-5520.

VENTURE OUTDOORS FESTIVAL: Venture Outdoors presents a day of outdoor activities for all ages and skill levels, including kayaking, canoeing, fishing, yoga, biking and more, plus music and vendors. Point State Park (May 16). 412-255-0564.

PITTSBURGH DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL: Dragon boat racing, music, dance, food and other activities. South Side Riverfront Park (May 16).

A FAIR IN HARRISON HILLS PARK: Fly-casting, nature programs, plant sale, hikes and more. Environmental Learning Center, Harrison Hills Park (May 16). 724-224-4102.

5th ANNUAL NATIONAL RENDEZVOUS AND LIVING HISTORY FOUNDATION CORPS OF DISCOVERY: Living history event shows the way of life during the time when Lewis and Clark launched their cross-country journey. Nichols Field, Raccoon Creek State Park (Through May 16). 724-947-4773.

SHEEP AND FIBER FESTIVAL: Greene County Fairgrounds (May 16-17). 724-627-8119.

PIKE DAYS: National Road programs. Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown (May 16-17). 724-329-5512.

WOOL DAY: Sheep-shearing, spinning demonstrations. Oliver Miller Homestead, South Park. (May 17) 412-835-1554.

BILL SELES' MEMORIAL DAY POLKA FESTIVAL: With Frank Stanger, Bob Kravos, Dick Tady, Klancnik & Friends, George Suhon and special guest Walter Ostanek. Seven Springs Mountain Resort (May 22-24). 1-800-797-5440.

JUMONVILLE MEMORIAL PROGRAM: Dress, customs and activities of the French and Indian War. Fort Necessity National Battlefield, east of Uniontown (May 28). 724-329-5512.

MAMMOTH FEST: Mammoth Park, near Greensburg (May 31). 724-830-3950.

JUNE

THREE RIVERS ARTS FESTIVAL: Visual arts exhibits, craft market and live music. Downtown Pittsburgh's streets and plazas (June 5-14). 412-281-8723.

ETHNIC FOOD FRIDAYS: Allegheny County Courthouse Courtyard, Fridays at noon: Italian (June 5); Ribs & Wings (June 19); Karaoke, Ice Cream and Hot Dog Party (July 10); Caribbean (July 17); Polish (Aug. 7); German (Aug. 21.

SAXONBURG FIREMEN'S CARNIVAL: Horne Avenue, Saxonburg (June 8-13). 724-352-3300.

SHADYSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Music, games, crafts and food. Proceeds benefit Gwen's Girls. Shadyside Presbyterian Church (June 12). 412-682-4300.

ALL ACCESS: THE 2009 URBAN GARDEN PARTY: Annual Mattress Factory fundraiser has a rock 'n' roll theme this year. Mattress Factory, 500 Sampsonia Way, North Side (June 12 at 7 p.m.). $90/nonmembers, $80/members. 412-231-3169.

HERB AND GARDEN FAIR: Harmony Museum (June 13). 724-452-7341.

PRIDE IN THE STREET: Pittsburgh's GLBT annual dance party. Liberty Ave. between 9th and 10 streets (June 13 at 6 p.m.).

COMMUNITY GARDEN PARTY: Free community event featuring performances, arts and crafts and other activities. Mattress Factory, 500 Sampsonia Way, North Side (June 14). 412-231-3169.

SENIOR SUNDAY: Special activities for grandparents and their families -- Rides and radios: trolley rides, vintage radio display and brunch (June 14); photos and scrapbooking: have family photos taken and take part in scrapbooking activities (July 12); taking a ride through your history: genealogy program, trolley rides and brunch (Aug. 9). Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington. Reservations recommended: 724-228-9256.

PRIDEFEST: Family-friendly GLBT festival. Liberty Ave. between 9th and 10 streets (June 14 at 1 p.m.).

LAUREL HIGHLANDS BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL: This year's lineup includes Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie, Special Consensus, Northwest Territory, Bluegrass Mountaineers, Allegheny Drifters and others. Route 271, Waterford (June 19-20). 724-238-8646.

BURTNER HOMESTEAD STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Burtner Homestead, Natrona Heights (June 20). 724-224-7999.

CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT: Old Bedford Village (June 20-21). 1-800-238-4347.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES FUN RUN/WALK FOR EPILEPSY: 5K run/walk and tailgate party. PNC Park. Registration begins at 8 a.m. (June 27). 412-322-5880.

FULL BLOOM: Summer dance party with live music and DJs. $35/advance, $40/door. Proceeds support Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. Kelly-Strayhorn Performing Arts Center, 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty (June 27). 412-363-3000.

NAPOLEONIC RE-ENACTMENT: Old Bedford Village (June 27-28). 1-800-238-4347.

GREAT EUROPEAN BEERFEST: Beer sampling sessions. Sharp Edge, East Liberty (June 27-28). 412-661-3537.

KUTZTOWN FOLK FESTIVAL: Folklife displays, quilt sale, crafts entertainment and food. Kutztown (June 27-July 5). 1-888-674-6136

FRONTIER WEDDING CELEBRATION: Re-enactment of frontier wedding ceremonies. Oliver Miller Homestead, South Park (June 28). 412-835-1554.

ANYTHING ON WHEELS: Antique cars, model railroads, trolley rides and more. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington (June 28). 724-228-9256.

JULY

WESTMORELAND ARTS AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL: Twin Lakes Park, east of Greensburg (July 2-5). 724-834-7474.

PITTSBURGH THREE RIVERS REGATTA: North Shore (July 3-5).

ARTS, CRAFTS AND FOOD FESTIVAL: Ewing Park, Ellwood City (July 3-5). 724-758-5630.

BIG BUTLER FAIR: Route 422, Prospect (July 3-11). 724-865-2400.

WINE & DINE IN THE PARK: Wine and food samplings, live entertainment. Over-21 event. Robin Hill Park, Moon (July 10). 412-264-6270.

CTCC COMMUNITY DAYS: Route 19, Cranberry Community Park, Cranberry (July 9-11). 724-776-4806.

OLD WEST WEEKEND: Old Bedford Village, Bedford (July 11-12). 1-800-238-4347.

PITTSBURGH VINTAGE GRAND PRIX: Annual classic car races and show. Historic Races at BeaveRun (July 11-12); Walnut Street Car Show (July 13); Car Cruise at Waterfront (July 14); Schenley Park Race Weekend (July 18-19).

PROUD TO BE A SCOUT DAY: Scouting activities. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington (July 11). 724-228-9256.

JAMBOREE IN THE HILLS: Morristown, Ohio (July 16-19). 1-800-624-5456.

PINE COMMUNITY DAY: Pine Community Park, Pine (July 18). 724-625-1591.

WHISKEY REBELLION DAY: Historic skit on Whiskey Rebellion. Oliver Miller Homestead, South Park. (July 19 at 2 and 3 p.m.). 412-835-1554.

PITTSBURGH BLUES FESTIVAL: Proceeds benefit greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Hartwood Acres (July 24-26). 412-460-BLUE.

OAKMONT YACHT CLUB REGATTA: Washington Avenue, Oakmont (July 25-26). 412-828-9847.

BEDFORD COUNTY FAIR: Bedford County Fairgrounds (July 26-Aug. 1). 1-800-765-3331.

FAYETTE COUNTY FAIR: Fayette County Fairgrounds (July 30-Aug. 8). 724-438-0502.

AUGUST

REGATTA: Lake Arthur Moraine State Park, 724-368-8811. (Aug. 1-2)

RICHLAND COMMUNITY DAY: Richland Community Park, Richland (Aug. 8). 724-443-5921.

ANTIQUE GUN SHOW: Harmony Museum (Aug. 8). 724-452-7341.

1940S WEEKEND: Life during World War II and reenactments. Old Bedford Village, Bedford (Aug. 8-9). 1-800-238-4347.

AUGUST FUN FEST: Car show and cruise, entertainment and children's activities. Cedar Creek Park, Rostraver (Aug. 9). 724-830-3950.

BUTLER FARM SHOW: Butler ( Aug. 10-15).

ITALIAN DAY FESTA: Entertainment, food, bocci tournament and fireworks. Idlewild Park, Ligonier (Aug. 14)

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR RE-ENACTMENT: Old Bedford Village (Aug. 15-16). 1-800-238-4347.

WASHINGTON COUNTY FAIR: Washington County Fairgrounds, Washington (Aug. 15-22). 724-225-7718.

TROLLEY RIDES TO THE FAIR: $2 round trip per person to Washington County Fair from Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington (Aug. 15-22). 724-228-9256..

SUMMER FLAX FEST: Flax to linen process demonstrated, plus sampler needlework display. Oliver Miller Homestead, South Park (Aug. 16). 412-835-1554.

LAWRENCE COUNTY FAIR: 464 Midway Road, Route 108 east of New Castle (Aug. 17-22). 724-654-7745.

WESTMORELAND FAIR: Westmoreland Fairgrounds (Aug. 21-29). 724-423-5005.

AMERISERV FLOOD CITY FOLKFEST: Derek Trucks Band, Donna the Buffalo, Kane Welch Kaplin, Kristi Rose and Gypsy Dave and the Stumpjumpers. Johnstown (Aug. 21-23). 1-814-539-1889.

HOOKSTOWN FAIR: Hookstown Fairgrounds (Aug. 25-29). 724-573-4512.

SHADYSIDE -- THE ARTS FESTIVAL ON WALNUT STREET: Walnut Street, Shadyside (Aug. 29-30). 412-682-1298.

PITTSBURGH RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: Medieval festival featuring combat jousting, games of skill, rides, period foods and costumed performers and artisans' marketplace. Off I-70, 6 miles west of New Stanton (Aug. 29-30, Sept. 5-7, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, Oct. 3-4). 724-872-1670.

SUMMER FROLIC AND GAMES: Frontier games. Oliver Miller Homestead, South Park (Aug. 30). 412-835-1554.

PA SIMPLY SWEET ONION FESTIVAL: Butler Farm Show Grounds. (Aug. 30)

INDIANA COUNTY FAIR: J.S. Mack Community Center, Indiana (Aug. 30-Sept. 5). 724-465-6703.

SEPTEMBER

PENNSYLVANIA ARTS & CRAFTS COLONIAL FESTIVAL: Westmoreland Fairgrounds, Greensburg (Sept. 4-7). 724-423-5005.

LABOR UNITED CELEBRATION: Northmoreland Park, Allegheny Township (Sept. 6-7). 724-830-3950.

A FAIR IN THE PARK: Contemporary crafts festival presented by Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh. Mellon Park (Sept. 11-13). 412-330-0695.

HIGHLAND GAMES SCOTTISH FESTIVAL: Pipe bands, highland dancing, athletic competitions. Idlewild Park, Ligonier (Sept. 12).

FLAX SCUTCHING FESTIVAL: StahlsÂtown. (Sept. 12-13). 724-593-2119.

ANTIQUE TRUCKS & TROLLEYS: Antique Truck Club of America display. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington. 724-228-9256. (Sept.12-13)

Correction/Clarification: (Published July 11, 2009) The Westmoreland Fair will be Aug. 21-29. The name of the fair and its dates were incorrect in this listing as originally published May 15, 2009.

First published on May 15, 2009 at 12:00 am