A Fair in the Park Returns to Shadyside in September

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CRAFTSMEN’S GUILD OF PITTSBURGH/A FAIR IN THE PARK

One of Pittsburgh’s popular artisan markets is coming back to Shadyside for its 57th year,

A Fair in the Park, sponsored by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh, returns to Mellon Park Sept. 11-13. The park, which is adjacent to the Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media, hosts the fair from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13.

“In 2021, Mellon Park became Pittsburgh’s first officially certified public arboretum. It functions as a living outdoor museum, preserving over 550 individual trees representing more than 100 different and rare species,” says Stevo Sadvary, president of The Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh. “This year’s 57th annual A Fair in the Park is again honored to rest for three days below the amazing tree canopy of Mellon Park.”

In addition to the local artists selling their work, there will also be local musicians, food trucks, a scavenger hunt and demonstrations by local makers, including Woodturners Anonymous. Calliope House Pittsburgh musicians will perform on the park’s upper stage, and a curated lineup of local musicians will perform on the lower stage; a list of performers will be posted on the event’s website once it is finalized. 

Food vendors include The Pickled Chef, Pittsburgh Crepes, Vitalia Wood Fires Pizza, The Trailer, Piebird and Coffee That Helps.

A Fair in the Park began in 1969 when The Craftsmen’s Guild saw the need for a fine arts fair for local makers to showcase and sell their work. Initially called the Craftsmen’s Guild Craft Show, the first two shows were held at Allegheny Center, but the festivities eventually moved to its current home in Shadyside’s Mellon Park, with its current name A Fair in the Park. 

“When spoken aloud, A Fair in the Park can be interpreted as an affair in the park, creating a mysterious allure that the original show organizers wanted to portray,” reads a press release. “With its rich 57 years of history, A Fair in the Park is a Pittsburgh institution acting as a gathering space for art lovers from across Allegheny and neighboring counties. “

Shoppers can spend the weekend exploring handcrafted items across a variety of mediums, including glass, metal, ceramics, fiber, mixed media, wood, 2D, leather and jewelry. For a full list of participating artists, click here.

The free fair is held rain or shine.