PITTSBURGH — Rivers of Steel will hold the Festival of Combustion at the Carrie Blast Furnaces Saturday, Oct. 4th, from 3 to 9 p.m. to showcase Pittsburgh’s unique industrial artistry and cultural heritage. The festival centers the history of steelwork with molten metal pours, welding demonstrations, facility tours, and more.
Attendees will engage with hands-on workshops where they make art with molten metal and aluminum. Professionals and staff will assist people as they use cast iron and aluminum to make scratch molds. Other hands-on activities will include pottery making, mosaic art workshops, and jewelry making.
The festival also highlights blacksmithing, rye whiskey making, traditional Pennsylvanian weaving, copper work, and industrial performance art. Tickets are $30 for attendees and free for children under 18.
“In the evening, we always do a performance pour and a glowing ceramic reveal,” said Chris McGinnis, director of arts for Rivers of Steel. These events highlight the skill, beauty, and artistry to the region’s industrial work.
Pittsburgh artisans sell merchandise, artwork, trinkets, and more at the makers’ marketplace during the festival. KSD Studios will be onsite to tattoo festival goers. Craft beers and cocktails will also be available.
This year’s festival features flame performances, food trucks, and live music performances by Erika June and the Tunes as well as The Polkamaniacs. The evening ends with a firework show over the historic landmark.
Festivalgoers can enjoy power-hammer forging with the Center for Metal Arts to learn how to safely manipulate metal for toolmaking, sculpture, and blacksmithing.
The Heritage Craft Tent highlights festival partners including the Touchstone Center for Crafts, the Bradford House Museum, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Maxo Vanka Murals, and West Overton Village. These organizations tell the story of steel’s influence on the city’s growth and change in partnership with Rivers of Steel.
