PITTSBURGH – Celebrate local, urban agriculture in the city’s Northside Saturday, Sept. 3rd, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Allegheny Commons Park near the National Aviary.
The 3rd Pittsburgh County Fair includes small business vendors, artists, live entertainment, and food for all. Tickets are free and hands-on activities are family-friendly.
Fair demonstrations will show attendees how to take care of bees, repair books, process flax into fiber (flax breaking & scrutching), and what native plants and area mushrooms are safe to forage.
Fairgoers can play, pet, and see farm animals throughout the day. There are pony rides from 12 to 3 p.m. and a petting zoo from 1 to 4 p.m.
Attendees have the chance to celebrate Pittsburgh’s farmers while competing for prizes. There is the tomato competition, apple pie bake-off, poultry show, and fiber arts contest which are all free to enter for residents. Competition winners receive custom belts made by Guinevere Marrow, a member of the David I. Helfer Jewelers team.
The homemade oat milk chug competition, farmers market olympics, grape stomping, and kraut mash-off also return. Contestants have the chance to win ribbons in these competitions..
“The fair emphasizes the empowering aspects of going handmade,” fair organizer Justin Lubecki told Pittsburgh City Paper. The fiber arts competition shows the appeal, function, and beauty of natural fibers, wool, hemp, cotton, silk, etc.
The city has a rich history in agriculture because of the natural resources and supportive craftsmen community. Farmers, vendors, and residents come together to learn more about farming in the city and support the future of local businesses.
