2nd annual Sizzling Summer Night set for downtown New Kensington

The sizzle is coming back to New Kensington.

First held last year, the Sizzling Summer Night will become an annual event when it returns Saturday.

The free community event is sponsored by Shop Small, Shop New Ken and overseen by Jamie Parker of Sweet Alchemy Bake Shop and Michelle Thom of Voodoo Brewing New Kensington Pub and Olde Towne Overhaul. It will run from 4 to 8 p.m. on Fifth Avenue between Ninth and 11th streets.

“The event is inspired by a carnival or fairground theme and offers entertainment, food, shopping and fun activities for all ages,” Thom said. “It’s a chance to hang out in downtown New Kensington on a hot summer night and enjoy some of the wildest entertainment you may ever see, eat delicious food, shop till your heart is content and be immersed in the growing art community of New Kensington.”

Returning this year are fire dancers, roving entertainers, nonprofits, performers, a DJ and art-related activities.

“We added some surprises with the local pro-wrestling school, live art demonstrations, a puppet show, a clown, many food vendors and an art alley full of local artists and various handmade items,” Thom said.

The T2T Pittsburgh Wrestling Academy will stage three matches on the lawn outside Voodoo. Puppet shows will be held at 5 and 7 p.m. at the New Kensington Arts Center, 950 Fifth Ave.

Uncle Dave’s Art Studio will have live pottery demonstrations from 4 to 6 and 7 to 8 p.m. outside the arts center and will conduct fused-glass suncatcher workshops from 6 to 7 p.m.

Also new are Porgie the Clown, who will be entertaining children with balloons and magic from 5 to 7 p.m., and Marissa Mazzotta of Lower Burrell will perform glass-blowing demonstrations outside Ken-Mar Suites on Fifth Avenue.

The art alley is new this year. It will consist of two areas, one highlighting the New Kensington Arts Center and the other including several artists selling their handmade items, Parker said.

“We added the art alley for a few reasons, including continuing to highlight the emerging art culture in New Kensington and also to give guests/attendees additional shopping opportunities as we continue to build the retail district in New Kensington,” Parker said.

“Based on past events, people asked for more opportunities to shop, beyond just food. The New Ken Art Center as well as some of our art vendors will be performing and showcasing their work.”

Returning are Roman and Swan Creative Studios with interactive photo opportunities, Art in Beauty Studio with face painting and designs ranging from $6 to $10, Debra and Don Pendergast performing in a drum circle, several fire dancers performing on the Voodoo lawn, Joel Gabelli creating caricatures for $10 each, a roving mime and a stilt walker.

In addition to local restaurants being open, food and drink vendors scheduled to attend include J&J Smokehouse, Galaxy Donuts, Colorful Creations, Casita Bonita, Black Cat Pizza, Kona Ice, Cupcake PGH, Nurture Pgh, Sly Fox Brewing Co., Café NikkiP and Eat Wright Catering.

“We are intentional in adding free entertainment, such as fire spinners, as well as art vendors, plus all of the food vendors along with local businesses and nonprofits because we want this to feel like a street fair with a variety of appealing options with a strong sense of community,” Parker said.

“Many of our performers, vendors and food options are local to the area, so we can continue to focus on the diverse, talented people in our community.”