Great Race, Lion King Farewell Top Pittsburgh Weekend Events

PITTSBURGH, PA - Each year on the last Sunday of September, the starting gun sounds for a world-class road race that has become a Pittsburgh tradition for more than four decades. The Great Race – established as a 10K race by the late Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri – has attracted more than a quarter million participants since 1977.

Over the years, this popular fall fitness classic has grown to include a 5K run-walk, running clinic, two-day expo and children’s race…with more than 16,000 individuals taking part in these various activities annually.

You know the routine. The course begins in Frick Park in Squirrel Hill and ends in Point State Park.

Other weekend highlights:

• Phantom Fright Nights, Sept. 27-28, 6 p.m. to midnight, Kennywood.

New this year for Kennywood’s annual spooktacular event: Shady Grove Memorial Hospital, where a homicidal doctor is stalking the patients and staff. The hospital joins eight other haunts and scare zones, as well as an escape room and "IT: The 4D Experience." The new Steel Curtain Coaster also will be in operation.

• Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds, Sept. 27-28, 7:05 p.m.; Sept. 29, 3:05 p.m., PNC Park.

The Steelers don’t play until Monday night and stink nearly as bad as the Pirates this season, so you might as well enjoy the last weekend of baseball as the abysmal Bucs conclude their season. Friday is Zambelli Fireworks Night, Saturday is a salute to retiring Bucs broadcaster Steve Blass that includes a Blass bobblehead giveaway and Sunday is Kids’ Backpack Day.

• Steel City Big Pour, Sept. 28, 1 p.m., 6 p.m., Construction Junction, Point Breeze

The Steel City Big Pour is about great craft beers, local restaurant foods and local artwork to raise money for Construction Junction so it can go on accepting reusable building materials, garden items, and furniture to keep them out of landfills and fulfill its mission.

• Disney's The Lion King, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 27, 8 p.m.; Sept. 28, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sept. 29, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Benedum Center.

The beloved musica concludes its month-long run at the Benedum this weekend. As animals are brought to life onstage, you can thrill to the rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score including Elton John and Tim Rice's Oscar-winning song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and "Circle Of Life."