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| - Once a year during the lovely month of June, dahntahn (that's downtown for you non Yinzers) Pittsburgh is transformed for 10 days by this, our largest festival. Three Rivers Arts Festival was founded in 1960 by the Women's Committee of the Carnegie (that's Car-NEG-ee for you non Yinzers) Museum of Art, and started as a small outdoor venue for local artists. This year there were 280 booths in the juried artists market, with everything from metalwork jewlery to paintings to sculpture being offered for sale. I'm impressed anew each year as I stroll through the market at both the quality and scope of the art that's displayed here. The festival brings in both local artists and those who travel the country with their wares. It's also a showcase for performing artists, with the Dollar Bank stage featuring quite a few great acts this year, including Buckwheat Zydeco, who played last night to an appreciative audience. I think he forgot he wasn't in New Orleans at one point, as he tried to rouse us with a "Who Dat?" call and response. I think Doug and I may have been the only ones to get into it. I could have told him, "Yinz are in Stiller country". (that's "you're in Steeler country" for you non Yinzers). There's dance and theater, with performances scheduled every day during the fest, and lots of activities for the kiddies. The food is your typical festival fare for this neck of the woods...sausages on rolls, chicken on a stick, pierogies and stuffed cabbage, dogs and burgers, smoothies and lemonade. I understand there was a lobster burger available this year, but I was busy eating too much kettle corn to try it. We put off our visit to the fest this year until the last day, as we wanted to hear Buckwheat Zydeco play. Next year I'll try a week day, as the narrow walkways were clogged with people yesterday. That's my only gripe; it's congested. However, that also means it's thriving, so let's focus on the blessing of that. The festival is free, including all musical acts and performances. We paid $10 to park at the Gateway Center. Bring grandma, bring the kids, and have some fun.
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