Neighborhood Notes: A Fair in the Park Comes to Mellon Park This Weekend

By Carrie Nardini, Fair Director

More than 100 fine artisans and skilled craftsmen from Pittsburgh and across the country will converge on Mellon Park September 7 – 9, for the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh’s A Fair in the Park. This year, the tradition of creating a fully sensory experience continues, featuring live music, hands-on and master craftsmen’s demonstrations, Pittsburgh’s finest mobile kitchens and food trucks, kids’ activities, and the opportunity to meet 105 fine artisans and purchase their work. Mellon Park is located at 6300 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. The park is at the crossroads of 5 neighborhoods: Shadyside, East Liberty, Homewood, Point Breeze and Squirrel Hill. The festivities will take place Friday, September 7th from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Saturday, September 8th from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, and Sunday, September 9th from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

With a 48-year 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 entire day exploring handcrafted items from mediums including glass, metals, ceramics, fiber, mixed media, wood, 2D, and jewelry. A rotating committee of members from the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh juries all participating artisans into the event. Four prizes will be awarded to artists at this year’s event.

Craftsmen’s Guild President and fair exhibitor Karen McKee said, “The Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh prides itself on connecting Pittsburghers to our large community of artists. This bridge helps support each artist as a local business and supports the tradition of buying handmade, local art. The art community is as diverse as Pittsburgh. It is evident in the individual approach to art and the different mediums represented at A Fair in the Park.”

Mobile Kitchens & Food Trucks:
Make plans for lunch or dinner at the Fair. Enjoy offerings from Mac & Gold Truck, Pitaland, Pittsburgh Crepes, Randita’s, Rita’s Italian Ice Squirrel Hill, South Side BBQ Company (Saturday & Sunday), Wood Fired Pizza, and Zeke’s Coffee.

Hands-on Activities & Kids’ Area:
These local organizations will offer interactive projects for our youngest attendees: Art About Pittsburgh,Assemble, Kidsburgh, The Frick, The Kentucky Avenue School, and The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

Live Art:
Live art includes WoodTurners Anonymous all weekend long, and the Pittsburgh Glass Center will be holding live glass blowing demonstrations throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.

Live Music:
Live entertainment will be featured on two stages and includes local talents: Calliope Folk Art throughout the day on Friday, Adrienne Z, Olga Watkins Band, RML Jazz, Matt Miskie, Bruce Molyneaux, Mark Passaro, Matt Barranti, Gashouse Annie, Pitt Fest Opera, and Jenny Wilson.

Special Thanks:
Thank you to our event sponsors: 91.3 WYEP and 90.5 WESA, Guardian Storage Solutions, and NEXT Pittsburgh, as well as our commercial supporters, Green Mountain Energy, Keystone Basement Systems, and Renewal by Andersen. A special Thank You to the Ellis School and Chatham University for providing artist parking during the event.