Great Race, Country Shows Among 5 Fun Pittsburgh Weekend Events

PITTSBURGH, PA — Country music, pop songs, pierogies and thousands of people perspiring all over each other while running the streets of the city. This weekend almost has too many fun things a person can do.

Here are five Patch selections for your consideration:

• Celine Dion, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m., PPG Paints Arena.

Known for hits such as "My Heart Will Go On," "Because You Loved Me," "If You Asked Me To," and "The Power of Love," Dion hasn't appeared in Pittsburgh since 1998. Dion's powerful voice dominated the pop charts in 1990s and she has sold almost 250 million albums during her 35-year career.

• Chris Stapleton, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m., The Pavilion at Star Lake.

Stapleton brings his All American Road Show to the pavilion with special guests Margo Price and
Kendall Marvel. He's touring in support of his most recent album, "Starting Over," which won the Academy of County Music's album of the year award.

• Alabama, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., PPG Paints Arena.

Alabama became a state in 1819 and a band in 1971. Hard as it is to believe, but the group - Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen - are stopping in Pittsburgh on a tour commemorating their 50th anniversary. Those guys have sold 80 million albums and had 43 No. 1 country singles, impressive feats until you realize it took them a half-century to accomplish them.

• The Great Race, Sept. 26, Frick Park, (10K race) and Oakland (5K race).

The annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race began in 1977 when the former Pittsburgh mayor established the race as a "community fun run." Since then, more than 250,000 people have participated in the event, making it the largest 10K race in Pennsylvania.

• Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival, Sept. 26, 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Kennywood.

The festival returns to Kennywood and will feature more than 40 vendors offering various different pierogi styles, live music and entertainment, plus the option to ride some of the West Mifflin amusement park's most popular attractions. Kennywood season passes aren't valid for the event.

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