5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Aug. 20-22
The weekend has arrived. Here are five ways to spend it in Pittsburgh.
All things pickle
Picklesburgh is back after being canceled last year because of the pandemic. The three-day outdoor event will be Downtown Friday through Sunday on the Andy Warhol Bridge and Allegheny Overlook along Fort Duquesne Boulevard.
Named the No. 1 specialty food festival by readers of USA Today, Picklesburgh features vendors, entertainment and — of course — pickle beer, cocktails and chocolate-covered pickles on a stick. Contestants will vie in 10 preliminary rounds on Friday and Saturday to compete in Sunday’s pickle drinking championship. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Details: picklesburgh.com
It's a pretty big dill. pic.twitter.com/YnWbD1oWMV
— Downtown Pittsburgh (@DowntownPitt) August 19, 2021
Pasta, cannoli and bocce
Little Italy Days are Friday through Sunday along Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield. Known as the region’s largest heritage festival, the 19th annual event returns after being canceled last year in the pandemic.
In past years between 40,000-80,000 people have attended. Masks are recommended for people who are not vaccinated. There will be more than 30 acts across three stages throughout the weekend. A Little Miss Italy contest will be held at noon on Aug. 22. It is for contestants ages 4-17 years old.
The event is free. There is a VIP experience for $19.95 which includes a T-shirt, a bottle of water, slice of pizza from Caliente Pizza and a seat in a tent near the main stage.
Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Details: littleitalydays.com
Don’t overlook this
Scenic Pittsburgh is hosting its annual fundraiser “Brews for Views” at the West End Overlook from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Scenic Pittsburgh is a nonprofit organization that protects, enhances and promotes the scenic beauty – both natural and built – of southwestern Pennsylvania.
The event features Pittsburgh-born singer Che Zuro. Guests can choose from several local beers, spit-fired meats and sides from SpitfireZ, and desserts from Sinful Sweets.
Tickets are $45.
Details: scenic.org
Jump up
Pogopalooza — the world championships of pogo stick jumping — is Friday through Sunday. The event, which began in 2004, brings pogo athletes from all over the country to compete for minimal money prizes — and pride.
The competition will open at 5 p.m. Friday with a high-jump event in Market Square, Downtown Pittsburgh, and will continue from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday with qualifiers. The finals, best trick competition and an opportunity for children to try pogo will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Community Forge in Wilkinsburg. Xpogo, the Pittsburgh amateur pogo team, is headquartered there.
The event is free.
Participants will compete in pole vaulting, racing and jumping, as well as tricks.
Details: xpogo.com
Pittsburgh VegFest
The seventh annual Pittsburgh VegFest will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Allegheny Commons Park on the North Side. There will be food and music as well as face painting and a bounce house for children.The event host is Justice For Animals, a Pittsburgh-based non-profit animal welfare organization that protects animals.
Vendors will be selling merchandise. The second annual one-mile pet walk will take place at 10:30 a.m.
The event is free.
Details: pittsburghvegfest.org
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.