Jubilant July In Pittsburgh: Plenty Of Cool Things To Do

PITTSBURGH, PA — This July in Pittsburgh is the time to celebrate furries and freedom - among other things.

The furry-filled Anthrocon and the city's annual Fourth of July festivities are among a host of activities that will attract throngs and create lasting memories. Here are a few of the more momentous ones scheduled:

Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration, July 4, Point State Park and the North Shore.

The festivities will feature free family activities, music and food and entertainment.

Kicking off at 4 p.m. activities will include the Clearview Family Fun Zone, Trulieve Veterans Wellness Corner and non-stop musical entertainment on the main stage in Point State Park in addition to the Peoples Food Truck Corral and Sargent Electric Solar Stage along Liberty Avenue.

Across the river on the North Shore, a Fireside DJ will entertain on the PNC Great Lawn, the location of the RE/MAX hot air balloon and a variety of food concessionaires.

The day’s main attraction, the spectacular Independence Day Fireworks, begins at 9:35pm. Tune in to 100.1 FM KDKA for a live broadcast of a 25-minute fireworks soundtrack from TJ the DJ paying tribute to Independence Day. Viewers can watch the celebration from home live on WPXI-TV.

Anthrocon, July 4-7, David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

For the uninitiated, Anthrocon is attended by self-described furries who dress in fur suits that usually enclose the body and head. Their dedication to the furry cause is such that they don't mind profusely sweating in garb Anthrocon officials say easily can reach temperatures of 110 degrees in a matter of minutes.

This is anticipated to be the most heavily attended Anthrocon ever.

Pittsburgh Beerfest, July 13, Stage AE, North Shore.

The 11th Annual Pittsburgh Summer Beerfest returns to Stage AE for two epic sessions, at 12 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. Sure, there will be hundreds of craft beers available to sample, but this event is so much more than brewskis. Also available will be hard seltzers, mixed cocktails and other refreshing drinks perfect for summer vibes.

Picklesburgh, July 18-21, Boulevard of the Allies, Downtown. The nation's number-one rated specialty food festival for three years in a row as ranked by USA Today is a free, multi-day festival full of fermented fandom and fun. With dill-icious food from around the region and the world, pickle-themed merchandise, live music, free ‘Lil’ Gherkins’ activities, and the first Olympickle Games, there’s something here for everyone to, well, relish.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, July 26-Aug. 4 at multiple locations.

This annual event shifts into high gear on July 26 and doesn't apply the brakes until Aug. 4. The Grand Prix's highlight, of course, is the country's largest vintage car race through the curving roads of Schenley Park. But there's also a kick-off rallyes, blacktie & tailpipes gala, the tune-up party and more.