Family Events: July 2010
Why leave town? Enjoy an action packed stay-cation right here in Three Rivers City. There’s the Regatta, great fireworks, vintage cars, lots of ways to stay cool and more.
PITTSBURGH THREE RIVERS REGATTA: JULY 2-4
Get splashed with this Independence Day classic event full of spectacular air-, land- and water-based entertainment. The annual Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta includes skydiving, live music shows and, of course, the region’s best sound and light display fireworks on Sun., July 4. For kids, there will be climbing walls and special activity areas. (Point State Park, downtown. Free. Hours online. Info: threeriversregatta.net)
19TH-CENTURY INDEPENDENCE DAY: JULY 4
Travel back in time for a new experience of Independence Day at Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum of Rural Life, a component of the Sen. John Heinz History Center. Long ago, before iPods, computers, TV, airplanes and electric lights, people celebrated with summer games, open-hearth cooking and pie-eating contests. (401 Meadowcroft Road, Avella, Washington County. Noon-5 p.m. Free with admission: adults, $10; ages 6-16, $5. Info: 724/587-3412, heinzhistorycenter.org)
PITTSBURGH VINTAGE GRAND PRIX: JULY 16-25
This is the real zoom-zoom, a great annual family event that brings out the car lover in all of us. Here are the locations for this year’s Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix:
- There will be racing and activities July 17-18 at BeaveRun MotorSports Complex, 201 Penndale Ave., Wampum: (Sat., July 17, 8 a.m. & 5:35 p.m.; Sun., July 18, 9 a.m. & 4:20 p.m. $15, day; $25, weekend; ages 12 and under, free).
- Enjoy beautiful Schenley Park in Oakland July 24-25, when there will be racing on a 2.33 mile circuit with 23 turns and the hazards posed by city streets. (Free. Info, schedule: pvgp.org)
- Get a close look at free car shows on Walnut Street in Shadyside on Mon., July 19, from 5 to 9 p.m., or at a car parade and display downtown on Wed., July 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Info: 412/299-2273, pvgp.org)
PPG FESTIVAL OF WATER: JULY 23-25
There’s a tidal wave of fun at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s PPG Festival of Water: Try scuba diving in a 25,000-gallon pool with the DEMA “Be A Diver” tour. Scuba gear is provided; take your own towel and swimwear. Lessons are first-come, first-served for ages 10 and older and 54 inches and taller. (1 Wild Place, Highland Park. July 23-25: Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with admission: adults, $13; children ages 2-13, $11. Regular hours: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Info: 412/665-3640, pittsburghzoo.com)
ARTVENTURES-AMERICAN STORIES: JULY 1-30
Drop-in family art-making at Carnegie Museum of Art’s “ARTVENTURES” event provides ways for children and adults to connect with and explore the collections together. This month celebrate Independence Day and discover American stories in art with gallery searches and interactive activities. (Thurs.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sun., 12:30-4:30 p.m. Free with admission: adults, $15; ages 3-18, $11. Info: 412/622-3131, cmoa.org)
ALLEGHENY COUNTY SWIMMING AND WAVE POOLS
This isn’t Big Sur, but not bad for an inland splash experience. Allegheny County operates non-natural wave adventure pools in Boyce Park, Plum, 724/325-4677; Settler’s Cabin, Collier, 412/787-4667; and South Park, 412/831-0810. (Sun.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Adults, $5; ages 13-17, $4; ages 6-12, $3; 5 and under, $1)
MORE FAMILY EVENTS
- South Park Theatre: The Granny Awards: June 28-July 7; Puss in Boots: July 12-21; Aesop’s Adventures: July 26-Aug. 4: Children’s Theatre outdoor stage at South Park Theatre, Brownsville Road and Corrigan Drive, South Park. Mon., 6:30 p.m.; Tues., 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Weds., 10 a.m. Ages 2 and older, $2. Info: 412/831-8552, southparktheatre.com.
- Johnny Appleseed Children’s Theatre: Oh, Jack!: July 6, 8-9, 13, 15-16; Charlotte’s Web: July 20, 22-23, 27, 29-30. (Apple Hill Playhouse, 275 Manor Road, Delmont. 11 a.m. $7-$8. Info, tickets: 724/468-5050, applehillplayhouse.org)
