50th Annual A Fair in the Park Celebration at Mellon Park
Written by: Gloria Pytlak
Rain or shine, A Fair in the Park never disappoints! Thousands of visitors flock to this free, fine arts and crafts festival every year to enjoy the natural splendor of Mellon Park, the creative talent, musical entertainment, and some tasty bites.
Hosted by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh, A Fair in the Park will take place during the first weekend of September. Times vary based on the day, see below.
Friday, Sept. 6th: 1 – 7 pm
Saturday, Sept. 7th: 10 am – 7 pm
Sunday, Sept 8th: 10 am – 5 pm
Come hang out with more than 100 regional and national artists and crafters that specialize in unique work like clay, fiber, wood, jewelry, glass, metal, mixed media, and two-dimensional art. The talent at this Mellon Park event is an absolute must-attend weekend.
Arts and crafts aren’t the only media taking charge at this festival. You’ll be excited to hear all the talented bands and musicians scheduled to play during the weekend-long event. See the 2019 music schedule here.
Not to worry about getting your grub on. There will be plenty of food options at A Fair in the Park with diverse menus and some local favorites like Mac & Gold Truck, PitaLand, Randita’s, South Side BBQ Company, Wood Fired Flatbreads, Zeke’s Coffee Pittsburgh and in the lower section, grilled cheese with the Fermented Chef and Rita’s Italian Ice. Get the details on each of these fabulous vendors here.
One of our favorite parts about A Fair in the Park is its family-friendly activities for the kiddos. The event sponsors are happy to encourage teaching young kids the power of art and music by presenting several hands-on activities. Check out the Blick Art booth, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and Media booth, Calliope and many more!
This event is absolutely one you won’t want to miss! A Fair in the Park is a celebration of culture, talent, and one the whole family will enjoy.
Once a simple street fair has now evolved into one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved and impressive art shows. The Shadyside Art Festival on Walnut will return for its 23rd year!
Walking through this annual festival, you’ll experience around 150 beautifully skilled artists showcasing a variety of mediums from painters to jewelry makers, and sculpturists to wood-workers.
An absolute must-see event, this year the Art Festival on Walnut falls on Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th of August. It is a day time event. Both days will open at 10 am while Saturday will close at 7 pm and Sunday will wrap up a bit earlier at 5 pm.
It’s an opportunity to meet the people behind all the wonderful art and maybe add a few pieces to your home. If you’re interested in checking out some of the exhibitors beforehand, visit the official website for the Shadyside Art Festival here.
Here are a few unique artists you’ll see at the festival this weekend!
?Tony Landolina is a Pittsburgh artist that specializes in an ancient technique of encaustic painting. What does this really mean? Landolina’s paintings are created with beeswax, a propane torch, and razor blades. Talk about unique! Check out his work on Instagram and make sure to stop by his tent this weekend.
?Another PA native, Julie Hill is a furniture maker that will have a booth at the Art Show. Hill mainly focuses on rustic-style, wood pieces where she offers custom pieces and refinishing work. She has said, “All of my work is made from scratch and finished to perfection – although the occasional imperfection is exactly what makes each of these pieces special.” She has debuted some artwork on Instagram that she plans to showcase at the Shadyside art show, check it out here.
?Brining whimsey back, acrylic artist Alexandra Hall plays with tons of color bringing wonderful life to mundane things. She says, “It is my hope that I force my audience to exercise their imagination, that my works inspire conversation and that they evoke joy.”Hall has public and private collection for sale across the US and is a must-visit during this weekend’s event.
?Last but not least, Justin Noelke specializes in bronze and wood abstract sculptures. Noelke best selling piece of work is custom, hand-carved coolers made from local KY materials called Copperbox Cooler. Yes, this artist makes coolers out of antique crates, insulated, and lined with hand-bent copper. Check out his site for more details!
There will be over a hundred more unique vendors at this weekend’s art show. If any of the ones we mentioned interest you then head over to Shadyside, you won’t be disappointed by what you see.
Local Eateries Participating in Pittsburgh’s Summer Restaurant Week
Written by: Gloria Pytlak
Ready for one of the most delicious times of the year? This year’s Summer Restaurant Week is happening now in Pittsburgh and we’re excited about good food at awesome deals!
For a full week, you can grab a bite to eat at some of Pittsburgh’s best eateries whether you’re downtown, Southside, and yes, even Shadyside. Here’s a list of the local Shadyside eateries participating with awesome menus for Restaurant Week!
If you’re in the mood for a gourmet burger and handmade shake, you have to go with BRGR in Eastside. This Pittsburgh burger joint is a great place for a classic American dinner.
During Restaurant Week, BRGR has a lunch or dinner for two special for $20.19 that comes with 2 Average Joe burgers, a basket of fries, and 2 PBRs’ or Miller Lites!
Plus, eating at BRGR during summer means it’s patio season. With a variety of places to sit, the patio offers a chance to have a meal and enjoy the fresh air. One Yelp reviewer has even said, “The rooftop bar and seating area is GORGEOUS! The flowers and lighting gave such a summery vibe.”
For this week only, Paris 66 is serving up a special, 3-course menu for lunch and dinner. Moules Marinière-Frites or mussels prepared with white wine, and a NY Strip Steak are just two of the many options you might see on the menu. Paris 66 also has a wonderful outdoor area!
Paris 66 ranks at a whopping 4.6 of 5 in reviews on Facebook with one reviewer saying, “Great dinner. For the fans of true French taste.”
A cool extra experience that isn’t a part of Restaurant Week, but one you can enjoy any time of year is the cultural and educational program. Paris 66 hosts this program dedicated to immersing yourself in the French language, wine, and culture. Check it out here.
For nearly a decade, Spoon has been keeping Pittsburgh’s food scene at the top! This eatery has a modern-American vibe with a “farm to table” menu as well as a unique cocktail and wine selection.
For Restaurant Week, Spoon is also serving a 3-course meal featuring delicious plates like crispy zucchini blossoms, and chicken with heirloom tomatoes and spaghetti squash. Yum!
A recent review from Yelp has said, “Very enjoyable dinner meeting tonight. Service was good. Food was fantastic especially a number of the appetizers.”
Fish Nor Fowl is another awesome pick for a night out during Restaurant Week. This eatery is on Penn Ave and it focuses on a contemporary approach to American cuisine. The menu is inspired by ingredients and techniques from around the world.
It’s truly a unique dining experience at Fish Nor Fowl! During Restaurant Week, their crew is offering exceptional entres like Mushroom Bolognese and BBQ Halibut Collar. Plus, Fish Nor Fowl’s open-kitchen concept only adds to the truly organic dining experience.
A recent reviewer from Facebook says, “Excellent menu of eclectic dishes! Each one is better than the next. Terrific ambiance, in a small, personal setting. Will definitely revisit it again????”
Fujiya Ramen came to life through a passion for Japanese cuisine and the dream of a father and son. If you’re in the mood for authentic ramen, this is where you get it!
Taking part in Restaurant Week, Fujiya Ramen is preparing lunch and dinner specials that include Tonkotsu Ramen Spicy Miso Ramen, Pork&Chive Gyoza Tempura Shrimp, Katsu Curry and more! Don’t forget to save room for dessert and get any flavor of mochi ice cream.
At this local Shadyside eatery, you’ll be transported to Japan culture. One recent reviewer from Yelp says, “I think Fujiya has the best ramen I’ve tasted in Pittsburgh so far. I usually get their tonkatsu ramen and their broth is rich and delicious.”
Last but certainly not least, The Twisted Frenchman is a modern french restaurant on Baum Boulevard with a mouth-watering menu!
For Restaurant Week, this local eatery is serving up a two-course dinner with meals like Parisian Gnocchi Alla Ratatouille, Sweet Pea Risotto, Bouillabaisse and much more.
With a 4.8 of 5 rating on Facebook, the reputation at The Twisted Frenchman won’t disappoint. One reviewer has said, “This has to be the best-kept secret and best bargain for fine dining in Pittsburgh.”
