Labor Day Parade, Rib Fest Top Pittsburgh Weekend Events

PITTSBURGH, PA - The days are growing shorter and most school districts are back in session, but the end of summer doesn’t mean the end of a variety of exciting weekend activities around Pittsburgh. The largest one this weekend will be the city’s 36th 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 the Steelers' exhibition game Thursday against the Carolina Panthers, 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. Expect the event to conclude around noon, leaving plenty of time to get in a final summer backyard cookout.

Other weekend highlights:

• Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Fest, Aug. 29 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Aug. 30 and 31, noon to 11 p.m. and Sept. 1, noon to 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, certain games and activities and the two football games at the stadium this weekend - the Steelers play the Carolina Panthers on Thursday and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers take on the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday.

• Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 and 2, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 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 legs, steak on a stake, fresh baked goods and much more. Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival tickets range from $10 to $23.

• Garden Party 2019, Aug. 31, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Brew Gentlemen, Braddock.

Garden Party is a celebration of Brew Gentlemen’s seasonal beer of the same name, an American wheat ale made with fresh cucumbers. The brewpub will be taking over its rear alleyway for an evening of vegetable-themed merriment that will feature a DJ, a mini farmers market, silkscreen station, potted plant activities and more.

• Pittsburgh Water Lantern Festival, Aug. 31, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Allegheny Commons Park, North Side.

It’s an incredible sight: Thousands of personalized and illuminated lanterns will be launched into the park lake. Before that occurs, there will be live music, games, food trucks and more. Tickets range from $25 to $40.

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