5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 15-17
We’ve made it to the weekend, so here are some ways to spend it.
Picklesburgh
Picklesburgh will be bigger than ever as it celebrates its seventh year Friday through Sunday. The twice-voted No. 1 Specialty Food Festival in America in USA Today is presented by Kraft Heinz and produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.
It celebrates everything about the dill pickle.
The event will be held on the Rachel Carson Bridge, Fort Duquesne Boulevard and part of the 10th Street Bypass, Downtown. And it wouldn’t be complete without unusual pickle-flavored foods. There will be pickled vegetables, bacon-wrapped and cheese-stuffed pickles, kimchi grilled cheese, pickle swirl fudge, pickle pierogies, pickle lemonade, chocolate-covered pickle popsicles, shrimp ceviche with pickled strawberries, and pickle cupcakes, donuts, and ice cream.
There will be pickle-inspired cocktails and beers. A pickle-wielding speed painter will create portraits of Heinz favorites. Two stages will be the site of various musical genres. Children will have a “Li’l Gherkins Kidsplay” area.
The pickle juice contest returns.
Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is free.
Details: picklesburgh.com
Night in the Tropics
The National Aviary on the North Side presents Night in the Tropics from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Guests will travel back in time on a vintage vacation in honor of the aviary’s 70th anniversary. There will be food, signature cocktails, wine, and beer from Pittsburgh restaurants as well as music and live speed painting by artist Maria DeSimone Prascak.
Tickets start at $95.
Details: aviary.org
Music festival
Pittsburgh’s fourth annual Black Music Festival presented by Stop the Violence Pittsburgh is from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday throughout Downtown, Point State Park and Liberty Avenue.
The event celebrates and honors Black music in the city starting in the 1920s to the present. There will be jazz and rhythm and blues, as well as funk, soul and gospel entertainment from artists such as George Benson, Mary Lou Williams, Billy Strayhorn and Stanley Turrentine.
The outdoor event is free.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chairs.
Details: wpajuneteenth.com
Kevin Hart
Actor and Comedian Kevin Hart takes the stage at PPG Paints Arena at 7 p.m. Sunday. His show is called “Reality Check.” Hart is known for roles in the “Jumanji” sequels, “Scary Movie 3,” and “The Secret Life of Pets.” He once worked as a shoe salesman, but left that profession to do comedy fulltime. His second season of “Hart to Heart” on Peacock began on July 14. Hart invites musicians, actors and other guests to sit back, have a glass of wine and engage in an unfiltered conversation.
Limited seats are available starting at $56.75.
Details: ppgpaintsarena.com
Go vegan
The Original Pittsburgh Vegan Expo is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Monroeville Convention Center.
It is the city’s largest and longest-running vegan event featuring 100 small businesses locally and from several other states. There will be food, speakers, films and a kids’ room, as well as a concert by Cello Fury, break dancing, belly dancing and other performances.
The goal is to create awareness about how veganism can positively affect the environment, health and the treatment of animals.
The event will feature psychics, mediums, metaphysical shops, holistic and wellness centers, artists, jewelers, clothiers, eco-friendly shops, fair trade shops and more.
Tickets are $5 and free for children 17 and under.
Details: pittsburghvegan.com
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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