FESTIVAL
Picklesburgh (Friday-Sunday)
Rated the Best Specialty Food Festival in America by readers of USA Today, Picklesburgh returns for a sixth year, with a move to the Andy Warhol Bridge, Downtown.
The festival, produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and spreading along Fort Duquesne Boulevard, features regional food vendors with peculiarly pickle-y creations (cheese stuffed pickles, dill pickle pierogies, etc.), pickle beer and drinks, the Pickle Juice Drinking Contest, and live music on two stages from Donora, Miss Freddye, KELS, Byron Nash, Buckle Downs and more.
It is free and runs from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. The primary entrance is at Seventh Street and Fort Duquesne Boulevard. More info at picklesburgh.com.
Bloomfield Little Italy Days (Thursday-Sunday)
Liberty Avenue comes alive for Bloomfield Little Italy Days, one of the region’s largest heritage festivals.
It features food and craft vendors, a bocce tournament with Pittsburgh politicians/media/ entertainment stars, and three stages of music ranging from a Rat Pack tribute to opera to rock. Here are some highlights
Thursday
Stage at Cedarville & Liberty
6 p.m.: Billy Mancini (classics by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and more)
6 p.m.: Celebrity Bocce Tournament
Friday
Stage at Cedarville & Liberty
6 p.m.: Magic Moments oldies)
Saturday
Rohrich Honda Stage at Gross & Liberty
1 p.m.: Harry & Nicholas Lupinacci (oldies) 4 p.m.: Let’s Groove Tonight (Earth, Wind & Fire tribute)
7 p.m.: Blind Colours (rock)
Stage at Cedarville & Liberty
12:30 p.m.: The Di Bacco Sisters (Italian singing and dancing)
2 p.m.: Italian Idol
4:30 p.m.: Mirella the Musician (accordionist) 7 p.m.: John Lupone (Italian opera)
First Commonwealth Stage at Taylor & Liberty
12:30 p.m.: Jerry Demara (Rat Pack) 3:30 p.m.: Billy Heh (magician)
5 p.m.: Elias Khouri and the EK Band (rock)
Sunday
Rohrich Honda Stage at Gross & Liberty
Noon: Miss Little Italy
3 p.m.: Mojo Hand (rock)
Stage at Cedarville & Liberty
1 p.m.: East End Kids (teen ensemble) 3 p.m.: Bob Scullion & The Mystics
First Commonwealth Stage at Taylor & Liberty
12:30 p.m.: Sloane Simon (pop)
3 p.m.: Ugly Blondes (rock)
Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday; noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Free; littleitalydays.com.
Westmoreland Fair (Friday-Sunday)
The Westmoreland Fair opens Friday at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds in Greensburg and will run through Aug. 28 with monster trucks, demolition derbies, tractor pulls, amusement rides, talent contests and agricultural exhibits.
Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $7. Grandstand Arena Events are not included in general admission.
In the grandstand this weekend: Friday (7 p.m.): Motocross $7. Saturday (7:30 p.m.): Monster Trucks $7. Sunday (7:30 p.m.): Demo Derby $5. More info at westmorelandfair.com.
Welcome Home (Friday-Sunday)
Kenny’s Homewood, at 7401 Tioga St., gathers the community for a weekendlong celebration with food, vendors and live entertainment.
On Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m., visitors can attend Cocktail & Mocktail Hour to enjoy a cocktail or nonalcoholic mocktail with music from Slim Tha DJ.
On Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m., there will be local vendors, live painting artists, food from Cuddy’s and music from Arie Cole, Mr. Able and Pittsburg Swiff, Jordan Montgomery and Sierra Sellers.
From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, visitors can attend Jazz Brunch with food from Ms. T’s Restaurant and music by James Johnson III, Joe Sheehan and Cliff Barnes.
Saturday is free and open to the public. Advance tickets are required for Friday and Sunday’s offerings; kennyshomewood.eventbrite.com.