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CBS News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh underway at new location
The Three Rivers Arts Festival opened Thursday with crowds waiting at the gates, despite being at a temporary location this year. The area of the Strip District that was formerly the site of the Boardwalk, the floating entertainment complex that was docked along the Allegheny River near the intersection of 15th Street and Waterfront Place, will be the site for this year's festival before it relocates to its new permanent home next year. But according to organizers, the location is the only thing that's different from years past. "We're so thankful to the Buncher Company for helping make this happen just this one year here in the Strip District," said Brooke Horejsi, chief programming and engagement officer for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, "while we get ready to move to Arts Landing, our new home, in the Cultural District downtown." The Buncher Company owns the property in the Strip District, making two lots available to house the tents for the "artists' market" — where more than 200 artists are showcasing their work — the food and beverage vendors and the Dollar Bank stage, where musical acts like Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Lisa Loeb and Sons of Mischief will perform during the four-day festival. "This is the best festival that I've done," said Nathan Doverspike, an artist from Polish Hill selling prints inspired by Japanese-influenced manga (comics or graphic novels) and anime. This marks his fifth year showcasing his work at the festival. "I've traveled and went to New York City, I went to Kansas City and for some reason, the Pittsburgh crowd just loves art. Just the general Pittsburgh vibes here are amazing." Bill Booth is an artist from Lower Burrell, and his "Electric Booth" contains features creations made from a combination of piping, electrical circuitry and lightbulbs. This is Booth's third year participating in the Three Rivers Arts Festival. "It's been really cool," Booth said. The first time was just all new and just amazing to just see the festival, and then it's just been in different places. But it's been a really good experience." Both Doverspike and Booth were featured through the festival's emerging artist showcase during their first year, which reserves a spot at the festival and waives the cost of a tent. They said being chosen as emerging artists opened bigger doors for them to pursue their individual crafts. "I don't know if I would've ever even thought of doing this without the emerging artist," said Doverspike. "The overhead just to get a tent and everything else that's combined with that — not knowing if it's going to work out or not work out — is a big risk." Both also said seeing the reactions and interests of patrons at the fair makes the entire experience worth it. "That's the best thing about it, that anybody who comes by gets a big smile on their face because they're looking at the different figures and something hits them all," said Booth. Officials say with the flow of foot and vehicle traffic ebbing and flowing over the weekend, there are multiple parking options. Patrons can opt to park in the Strip District garages nearby or within walking distance downtown. The trail from the Allegheny Riverfront Park is also available to foot traffic, providing an alternate entrance point as opposed to the 15th Street and Waterfront Place intersection.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Arts Festival kicks off Thursday. Here's what you need to know.
Starting Thursday, more than 100,000 people are expected to come to Pittsburgh for the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. It's taking place in the Strip District for one year only, as its future home remains under construction. On Wednesday, crews were hard at work to get Waterfront Place all set up. Hannah Powell of Verona was one of them, preparing to show her art at a festival for the very first time. "I'm still absolutely shocked, a little bit, that I'm here," Powell said. "It's kind of indescribable to be able to be in my hometown, be able to like people that live around here are able to come, people I know will be able to come to see me and experience my work in this way." She's one of four people who received the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Emerging Artist Scholarship, which helps new artists with the finances to exhibit at the Three Rivers Arts Festival. In its 66 years, the event has had different homes. Now it will be in private lots along the riverwalk between 15th Street and the 16th Street Bridge. It comes as work continues in Downtown Pittsburgh ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, and on the event's new location at the corner of Fort Duquesne and 8th Street, to be known as Arts Landing. Brooke Horejsi is the trust's chief programming and engagement officer. "It's a civic space that is going to be green and robust and has a permanent amphitheater in it, so we'll be able to house the performances on that amphitheater," Horejsi said. Horejsi said it will be all ready for next year, but you should note that this year, besides the location, there are a few changes. "The footprint is a little bit smaller," Horejsi said. The event is also cut down from 10 days to four: Thursday through Sunday. When it comes to parking, know that there is no extra designated parking, so be prepared to walk. Otherwise, you're encouraged to take public transit. No matter what, artists like Powell believe people will find a way to get there. "I'm pretty confident that it's going to be pretty busy down here. I don't think anyone will have trouble coming down," Powell said. The festival runs from 12 to 9 p.m. each day. You can learn more details on the line-up, times, and places to park online.
CBS News
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Three Rivers Arts Festival's new temporary location announced in the Strip District
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Pittsburgh Three Rivers Arts Festival has found its new, one-year only location while construction for the revitalization project in downtown Pittsburgh happens. The annual Arts Festival is moving to the riverfront lots at the 15th Street Plaza on Waterfront Road in the Strip District, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust officials said. The festival will also be shorter this year. Four days from June 5-8, 2025, as opposed to the usual 10-day run. "Thanks to The Buncher Company, who owns the property, and lot operator, Alco, the Festival will remain near its namesake three rivers, not far from its future long-term home in the Cultural District," Brooke Horejsi, the chief programming and engagement officer for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, said. "We thank all the artists, partners, and visitors whose support will allow this iconic celebration of the arts to continue in 2025." Organizers confirmed the festival's new location and shorter timeline because of several revitalization projects happening downtown. The Cultural Trust has said one of the downtown revitalization projects in the works this summer is a four-acre outdoor civic space that will serve as the festival's new long-term location. As part of a $600 million investment, the city is planning a $30 million project to turn parking lots and open space in the Cultural District into an outdoor destination with room for festivals, a family play area, a green space and public art. While the placement of the festival is changing this year, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust says it will still feature "a familiar high-quality lineup of performing and visual art attractions, including the fine art and fine craft Artist Market—a cornerstone of the iconic free Festival." The Cultural Trust is accepting applications for the artist market now through Jan. 31. An update on the location is expected early this year, the website says. A map of this year's festival grounds, as well as the performance lineup, will be announced in the spring, organizers said.
