Giant pickle ornament among Pittsburgh's holiday attractions
There’s a big dill in Pittsburgh this holiday season.
The giant custom-made Heinz pickle balloon, a recognizable sight above the Clemente Bridge during Picklesburgh festivals, has been transformed into a super-sized ornament.
It will be unveiled Nov. 27 (the Friday after Thanksgiving) in EQT Plaza, Downtown, a project of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.
The decoration is a nod to the German-American tradition of a pickle on a Christmas tree, with the first person to find it receiving an extra gift or a year of good luck.
The ornament is gift from Kraft Heinz.
Yes, Virginia, there is a 35-foot-tall pickle ornament coming to Downtown Pittsburgh this year...
Read up on the latest holiday happenings coming to the neighborhood this season, including details on the Peoples Gas Holiday Market and more ➡ https://t.co/J55zvXc7Wu pic.twitter.com/naTAAplWF5
— Downtown Pittsburgh (@DowntownPitt) November 12, 2020
It’s one of the ways people can still celebrate the holiday season despite the coronavirus. The Downtown partnership announced details on the ornament and other happenings for the season as part of its “reimagined” attractions.
“Though some things may lack familiarity, many beloved Downtown holiday traditions will continue, and several new and exciting activities have been added for the community to experience safely,” Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said. “The holidays are also a wonderful time to support our Downtown small businesses like never before, and helping our neighbors in need is what makes Pittsburgh the special place that it is.”
Christmas trees will be popping up at Highmark (former Horne’s Department Store), Fifth Avenue Place, and The Rink at PPG Place. The skating rink opens Nov. 20.
The Pittsburgh Crèche at U.S. Steel Tower is being installed Friday and will be blessed on Nov. 20. The large-scale nativity scene is the only authorized replica of the one found in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The Peoples Gas Holiday Market in Market Square returns and opens Nov. 27. The European-style holiday market offers unique artisan products, international items, handcrafted goods and Pittsburgh gifts.
Also in Market Square, instead of the traditional visit with Santa Claus, “Santa Zoom: Live from the North Pole” will allow children to interact with him virtually beginning Nov. 27. A $5 donation to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is suggested.
The “Spirit of Giving Around the World Exhibit” is available for viewing through Jan. 2. It includes 16 life-size Santas located in the windows of Two PPG Place.
New this year is the “Holiday Wonderland Projections,” larger-than-life falling snowflakes, swirling candy canes, and other fun holiday themes. The images will be projected on buildings in the Cultural District.
Also new is the “Holiday KidsPlay Selfie Garden” in Heinz Hall courtyard. There will be an array of colorful backdrops and standees of popular characters from Fred Rogers Productions’ “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Peg + Cat,” “Odd Squad,” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
More attractions will be announced next week.
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.
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