Huge Labor Day Parade Tops Five Weekend Things To Do Around Dormont-Brookline

DORMONT, PA - Not to belabor the point, but there aren’t many events in Pittsburgh during Labor Day weekend that can compete in popularity with the city’s annual Labor Day Parade.

As many as 70,000 people will participate in this homage to the American labor movement and the contributions workers have made to advancing American society. That’s enough to overflow Heinz Field, perhaps not for a Steelers’ exhibition game but certainly if Tom Brady and the New England Patriots came to town.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Centre Avenue and Washington Place near PPG Paints Arena and will march along Sixth Avenue, Grant Street and the Boulevard of the Allies before ending at the United Steelworkers of America Building near Point State Park.

The Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade is free, but parking and snacks along the parade route will cost you.

Other highlights of what’s certain to be a memorable holiday weekend:

• Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Fest, Sept. 1-3, 12-11 p.m.; Sept. 4, 12-9 p.m.; Heinz Field, North Shore.

Ribs, football and live music is a winning trifecta for us, but there also will be games, rides and activities for all ages at this gloriously messy annual food festival. Admission is free, but bring your wallet to pay for food, beverages and certain games and activities. Oh, and don’t even think about getting into Heinz Field on Sept. 2 without a ticket to the Pitt-Youngstown State game. Pitt-Youngstown State tickets start at $15.

• Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival, Sept. 2-4, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., 112 Renaissance Lane, West Newton.

Featuring a cast of hundreds of authentically costumed merrymakers living and working throughout the “village” and performing, continuously, on the festival's stages, the illusion of a rollicking 16th Century festival day is created. Ready thyself to revel with master revelers, watch artisans create original works of their ancient craft and be taken in by the tantalizing aromas of roast turkey legges, steak on a stake, fresh baked goods and much more.
Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival tickets are $19.50 for adults and $9 for children ages 5-12.

• Festival of Combustion, Sept. 2, 12-7 p.m. Carrie Furnace, Rankin

Presented by the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation, this family friendly event highlights all hot art making processes with booths dedicated to glass flameworking, ceramics, molten lava, bronze casting and cast iron. There also will be live music and local eats.Kids under 18 get in free with an accompanying adult, who likely will sample an adult beverage from Voodoo Brewing, one of the event sponsors. Festival of Combustion tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the furnaces.

• Allegheny County Music Festival, Sept 3, 5 p.m, Hartwood Acres, Indiana Township

Headliners Rusted Root will be joined by The Velcro Shoes, The Buckle Downs and Andre Costello and the Cool Minors for this concert benefiting minors served by the county Department of Human Services. A $20 per car donation is requested for that charitable cause.

Photo by Dimitri Beljan via Creative Commons.