Heinz Celebrating 150th Anniversary With Month-Long Birthday Bash

PITTSBURGH, PA - In 1869, Henry John ("H.J.") Heinz inauspiciously began selling bottles of horseradish, pickles, vinegar and other sauces around Pittsburgh. From those modest beginnings, the company grew into a worldwide conglomerate whose name remains extremely prominent around Pittsburgh.

One hundred and fifty years later, it's time to celebrate the company's long history.

The family name adorns Heinz Field, home of the Steelers and Pitt Panthers; the Heinz History Center and Museum in the Strip District; Heinz Hall, the Downtown performing arts center; Heinz
chapel in Oakland, where countless couples have been married over the years; and Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

Then there's the Heinz Endowments, one of the nation's largest philanthropic organizations. It awards about $70 million in grants annually, mostly to organization in southwestern
Pennsylvania.

Heinz recently has rolled out hybrid condiments - Mayocue (mayonaise-barbecue), Mayormust (mayonaise and mustard) and Krance (ketchup-ranch). But they aren't part of the official birthday celebration.

That occurs in October at the history center with an event called Heinztoberfest, a month-long celebration honoring the company's 150th anniversary. Heinztoberfest will include a food festival, exclusive merchandise, Heinz-themed programs and the release of a new Heinz history book.

Here are the scheduled events:

• 21+ Night: Heinz 57: Oct. 3, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Celebrate all things Heinz with craft cocktails courtesy of Wigle Whiskey, a hot dog bar, and an exploration of one of Pittsburgh’s favorite brands. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at heinzhistorycenter.org/events.

• Hop into History: Heinz Classics: Oct 9 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

This workshop will involve children ages 2-5 and their caregivers making ketchup inspired
by the original Heinz recipe. Hop into History is free for kids ages 5 and under, and adults pay regular museum admission. Register at heinzhistorycenter.org/events.

• History Explorers: Cooking with Heinz: Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Kids ages 5-8 will explore 150 years of Heinz history and create recipes old and new using Heinz products. History at Play is $8 per person. Register at heinzhistorycenter.org/events.

• Hometown-Homegrown: Heinz 150: Oct. 19 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Heinztoberfest will culminate with a special “Heinz 150” edition of the History Center’s eighth annual Hometown-Homegrown™ food festival, presented in partnership with GoodTaste! Pittsburgh. Visitors can sample tasty treats with a Heinz-inspired twist from more than 40 local vendors, attend live cooking demos, hear from History Center curator and Heinz expert Emily Ruby, and enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the museum. Hometown-Homegrown is included with regular museum admission and is free for History Center members